Last Updated: October 23, 2026
Quick Summary
How to start a junk journal for beginners involves gathering recycled and found papers, choosing a book or cardboard base, arranging your pages, and binding them together using hand stitching, rings, or glue. You can create a functional, one-of-a-kind journal using materials you already have at home, then personalize it with your own style and purpose.
- Start with household materials like junk mail, old book pages, embroidery floss, and kitchen scissors before buying supplies.
- Choose a book base roughly 5 by 7 inches to 6 by 9 inches for a comfortable beginner size.
- Hand stitching, ring binding, rubber band binding, and binder clips are all valid binding methods for beginners.
- Leave breathing room in your journal and avoid overstuffing with too many layers so pages turn easily.
- Your personal style matters more than perfect execution; imperfection and individuality are features of handmade journals.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Junk Journal and Why Start One
- Essential Junk Journal Supplies for Beginners
- How to Make a Junk Journal: Step-by-Step
- What to Put in a Junk Journal: Ideas and Inspiration
- Junk Journal Ideas for Beginners: Finding Your Personal Style
- Common Beginner Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Junk Journal and Why Start One
Learning how to start a junk journal for beginners begins with understanding that a junk journal is a handmade book you create by binding recycled and found papers into a functional journal for writing, sketching, or memory keeping.
The appeal is simple: junk journaling lets you create something meaningful without spending much money, repurposing materials that might otherwise end up in the trash.
The best junk journals combine materials with intention. Mix textures and colors that speak to you, not what a tutorial shows. Your personal style matters more than perfect execution.
Essential Junk Journal Supplies for Beginners
The Minimal Starter Setup (No Shopping Required)
Most beginners already own everything needed for a first junk journal. Check your home for these:
- Binding: embroidery floss, dental floss, or heavy thread instead of waxed linen thread; a paper clip or brad instead of binder rings
- Pages: junk mail, cereal boxes, old greeting cards, receipts, paper grocery bags, and printer misprints all work as journal pages
- Cutting: kitchen scissors work fine; a ruler and utility knife substitute for a paper trimmer
Many beginners buy a full supply kit before making a single page, then discover half of it goes unused. Start with the household list above, make one journal, and only then buy what you actually reached for.
Core Materials Worth Buying Eventually
When you’re ready to invest, these are the items that genuinely improve results:
Binding options:
- Waxed linen thread or embroidery floss for hand stitching
- Binder rings or brads for ring-bound journals
- Acid-free glue sticks or PVA glue for page adhesion
Pages:
- Old book pages (the foundation of altered book journals)
- Scrapbook paper or cardstock for sturdier pages
- Newsprint or magazine pages for texture and color
Cutting tools:
- Scissors (any sharp pair works)
- Paper trimmer for straight edges
- Craft knife for precision cuts
When Archival Materials Actually Matter
Not every junk journal needs archival supplies. Match the material to the page’s job:
- Casual practice journals: recycled paper, junk mail, and school glue are fine; fading over a few years is acceptable.
- Keepsake journals with photos or family mementos: use acid-free paper, acid-free adhesive, and photo-safe pockets. Newsprint and some colored papers are acidic and can yellow or transfer onto adjacent pages.
- Watercolor pages: use watercolor paper rated for wet media. Thin book pages buckle and tear under water, even with light washes.
A page holding a grocery list can be junk mail; a page holding a grandmother’s photograph should be acid-free.
Optional Add-Ons to Enhance Your Pages
Once you’ve made a basic journal, these extras help you personalize pages.
Embellishments:
- Ink pens or markers for writing and drawing
- Watercolor supplies if you want a watercolor journal
- Stickers, washi tape, or decorative elements
Page enhancers:
- Collage materials like old photographs or magazine clippings
- Tags or labels for organization
- Pockets made from folded paper
These aren’t essential for your first journal, add them as you discover what you enjoy. Many beginners find simple, text-focused pages just as satisfying as heavily decorated ones.
Start with what you have. You can always add supplies later as your style develops and you understand what materials you actually use. The best first purchase is usually the one you make after finishing your first journal, not before.
How to Make a Junk Journal: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Choose Your Journal Base
Your journal base is the foundation you’ll bind your pages into.
Common base options:
- An old hardcover or paperback book (the classic altered book approach)
- A composition book or spiral notebook
- Cardboard or chipboard covers you make yourself
- Vintage Little Golden Books if you want something smaller and whimsical
For your first journal, an old book works best. It’s free if you have one lying around, and the existing cover becomes part of your design.
Step 2: Gather and Prepare Your Pages
Collect papers you want to use, this is where junk journaling gets fun.
What to gather:
- Old book pages (tear them carefully from the spine)
- Magazine pages with colors or images you like
- Newsprint or vintage newspaper
- Scrapbook paper or cardstock
Preparing pages:
- Cut or tear pages to size (they don’t all need to match)
- Stack them in an order that feels right to you
- Group similar textures or colors together if you prefer
- Leave some pages blank for writing or sketching later
Don’t overthink this step. Imperfect cuts and mixed sizes add character. Hand-torn edges look more organic than perfectly trimmed ones. A common beginner mistake is making every page identical, variety is what makes a junk journal feel handmade.
Step 3: Assemble and Bind Your Journal
Now you connect everything. This is where your journal becomes a real, functional book.
Simple hand-stitching method:
- Stack your pages and covers in order
- Punch or poke holes along the spine (use a needle or small nail)
- Thread a needle with embroidery floss or regular thread
- Stitch through the holes using a simple running stitch or decorative pattern
- Tie off the thread at the end
Ring-bound method:
- Punch holes along the spine using a hole punch
- Insert binder rings through the holes
- Close the rings, your journal is done
Glue method:
- Apply glue or tape along the spine
- Press pages and covers together
- Hold or clamp while drying
Hand stitching takes longer but creates a more permanent, handmade feel. Ring binding is faster and lets you add or remove pages later.
No-Sew and Low-Dexterity Alternatives
Not everyone wants to stitch, and some hands find fine needlework difficult. These alternatives still produce a real, usable journal:
- Rubber band binding: stack pages inside a folded cardstock cover and wrap two rubber bands around the spine. No holes, no thread, no drying time.
- Binder clip binding: clip pages and cover together along the spine; add washi tape over the clips for a finished look.
- Pre-punched paper: buy or reuse paper already punched for ring binders, then add binder rings, no hole punching required.
- Large-hole punching: use a standard hole punch rather than an awl, and thread with yarn or ribbon instead of a needle.
These methods are not lesser versions, many handmade journals use them deliberately for a looser, more casual feel.
A Complete First Session: 45-Minute Walkthrough
Here is a realistic first project from start to finished page, in about 45 minutes.
Minutes 0-10, Choose and prep the base. Pick a small hardcover book.
Minutes 10-20, Gather and size pages. Pull 10 to 15 sheets from your stash: old book pages, a magazine spread, a paper bag, a greeting card.
Minutes 20-30, Bind. Punch three holes along the spine with a pushpin. Thread embroidery floss through in a simple running stitch and tie off inside the spine. If stitching isn’t for you, wrap two rubber bands around the spine instead.
At the end of 45 minutes you have a bound journal with one finished page and a clear sense of how the process feels.
Troubleshooting Common Construction Problems
- Pages tear when punching holes: the paper is too thin or the punch is dull. Back thin pages with a strip of masking tape where the holes go, or switch to a larger punch.
- Journal won’t open flat: the binding is too tight. Leave a little slack in the thread or use fewer pages per stitch section.
- Glue fails on glossy paper: magazine pages resist water-based glue. Roughen the surface with a light sand or use double-sided tape.
- Pages buckle after gluing: too much glue was applied. Use thin, even layers and press under a heavy book while drying.
Avoid overplanning your journal’s purpose before you start using it. Real use teaches you what you actually want from the journal, and your design will shift accordingly. That’s part of the process.
What to Put in a Junk Journal: Ideas and Inspiration
Your junk journal can hold whatever matters to you. There’s no single “right” way to use it.
Common uses:
- Daily writing or journaling
- Sketching and doodling
- Collecting quotes or inspiration
- Planning and organizing thoughts
Many people use different sections for different purposes, sketches, written reflection, collage and ephemera. The beauty of a handmade journal is that it adapts to how you actually use it. Start with one purpose in mind, but stay flexible.
Junk Journal Ideas for Beginners: Finding Your Personal Style
Your personal style matters more than copying tutorials. Here’s how to develop one.
Start with materials you love:
- Choose colors that make you happy
- Pick papers with textures or patterns that appeal to you
- Select ephemera that connects to your interests or memories
Observe what you’re drawn to:
- What colors do you wear?
- What images catch your eye?
- What textures feel good in your hands?
- What subjects matter to you?
Your answers guide your material choices. If you love vintage aesthetics, lean into old book pages and aged paper; if you prefer bright, modern energy, choose colorful cardstock and contemporary images; if you’re drawn to watercolor, build that in from the start.
Avoid comparison:
- Don’t force your journal to match someone else’s style
- Your “mistakes” often become your signature
- Inconsistency is fine, real handmade work isn’t uniform
Many beginners feel pressure to make their journal look “perfect” or match an aesthetic they’ve seen online. The journals that feel most personal reflect your actual taste, not someone else’s, imperfection and individuality are features, not bugs.
Common Beginner Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Learning from others’ experiences saves frustration.
Mistake 4: Skipping the planning step
Laying out your pages before binding saves time and prevents regrets.
Mistake 5: Using materials that won’t last
Some inks fade, some papers yellow, some glues dry out.
Mistake 6: Waiting for “perfect” materials
You don’t need special supplies to start. Use what you have.
Starting a junk journal is one of the most rewarding creative projects you can undertake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials do I need to start a junk journal?
Start with the essentials: an old book or composition notebook as your base, scissors or a paper trimmer, glue or tape, and recycled materials like magazine pages, newspaper, or old book pages. You don’t need expensive supplies to begin. Many beginners start with items already at home. Embellishments like washi tape, markers, or stamps can be added later as your skills grow and your style develops.
Can I make a junk journal without buying new supplies?
Absolutely. Gather materials you already have: old books, magazines, newspapers, printed pages, scrap paper, and cardboard. Use a kitchen knife or box cutter instead of scissors, and try glue stick, tape, or even a stapler for binding. This no-buy approach teaches you the fundamentals and helps you discover your style before investing in specialized tools. Many experienced junk journalers started exactly this way.
What should I write or draw in my junk journal?
There’s no right answer. Some people write daily reflections, gratitude lists, or memories. Others sketch, collage, or experiment with mixed media. Your junk journal is entirely personal. Start by writing or drawing whatever feels natural to you. Don’t worry about making it perfect or following a specific theme. The beauty of junk journaling is creative freedom without pressure or judgment.
How do I develop my own junk journal style instead of copying tutorials?
Notice what draws you visually: colors, textures, themes, or materials. Flip through magazines and save pages that spark joy. Experiment on a single page without a plan, then step back and observe what you naturally created. Your style emerges from your choices, not from following someone else’s design. Keep a few favorite finished pages nearby for inspiration, but let your instincts guide each new page.
