Last Updated on November 14, 2025 by Dee
There’s a moment every junk journaler remembers—that first flip through a gorgeously layered vintage journal where every page whispers stories. For me, it happened in my daughter’s bedroom. She’d been tucking ticket stubs, old postcards, and pressed flowers between the pages of a beat-up notebook. “Mom, look,” she said, holding up a page layered with washi tape and tea-stained ephemera. “It’s like keeping memories, but making them pretty.”
She was right. And she’d done it all with supplies we already had at home.
That’s the beautiful secret about junk journaling—you don’t need expensive supplies or a degree in bookbinding to create something meaningful. But having the right tools? That makes the whole process easier, more enjoyable, and honestly, more addictive.
After 18 years of teaching high school art (where I watched countless students transform scraps into treasures), I’ve learned exactly which supplies are worth your money and which ones just clutter up your craft space.
Let me save you the trial-and-error.
What You’ll Find in This Guide
- The Real Essentials (not the “nice to have” list that craft stores push)
- Where Beginners Usually Get Stuck (and how to avoid those frustrations)
- Specific Product Recommendations from Amazon and Dick Blick
- Digital Options for those who prefer printables
- How to Actually Get Started without feeling overwhelmed
The Honest Truth About Junk Journal Supplies
Here’s what nobody tells you when you’re starting out: you’re going to feel overwhelmed. You’ll see other people’s supply hauls on Pinterest and think you need ALL of it. You’ll worry about whether your pages will look “authentic” enough. You’ll stress about finding the perfect vintage ephemera.
Stop.
The best junk journal I ever made started with coffee-stained printer paper, grocery store washi tape, and pages torn from a water-damaged book I found at a yard sale. It cost me maybe £3 total, and I still flip through it years later.
The three biggest struggles new junk journalers face:
- Analysis paralysis – Too many supply options, no idea where to start
- Budget anxiety – Thinking you need £100+ worth of supplies before you can begin
- Perfectionism – Worrying your supplies aren’t “vintage enough” or “authentic enough”
Let me address all three right now: Start with what you have. Your first journal will be messy. That’s the whole point.
Now, let’s talk about the supplies that actually make a difference.
Essential Junk Journal Supplies for Beginners
The Absolute Must-Haves (Start Here)
1. A Good Adhesive (The Foundation of Everything)
You need something that holds without warping your paper. After testing dozens of glues over the years, here’s what actually works:
👉 Books by Hand PVA Glue – This is the professional-grade adhesive that bookbinders use. It dries clear, acid-free, and won’t buckle your pages. If you only invest in one “proper” supply, make it this one. Available at Dick Blick in various sizes.
For Budget-Friendly Options:
- Glue sticks for quick layering
- Mod Podge (seriously, don’t underestimate this craft room staple—it works as glue AND gives you that glossy finish)
Pro tip from my teaching days: Keep a damp cloth nearby when you’re gluing. Your fingers will get sticky, and trying to wipe them on your jeans just spreads the problem.
2. Scissors and Cutting Tools
A wonky cut can ruin the vibe of a whole page. You need precision here.
👉 Fiskars Precision Scissors – Sharp enough for detail work, comfortable for hours of cutting. I’ve had the same pair for 8 years.
For Straight Cuts: Any paper trimmer will do, but having one means you’re more likely to actually trim things instead of eyeballing it with scissors (which never ends well, trust me).
3. Washi Tape (The Most Versatile Supply You’ll Own)
Washi tape is like the Swiss Army knife of junk journaling. It decorates, it adheres, it covers mistakes, it creates borders—honestly, it does everything except make you coffee.
Amazon Favorites:
👉 William Morris inspired Vintage Washi Tape Set – Wide vintage-style tape with beautiful patterns. Perfect for creating that aged look instantly.The width is fantastic for backgrounds.
👉 Vintage Bee Theme (and other) Washi Set – 14 rolls with honeycomb, butterflies, and botanical prints. The yellow and black tones are unexpectedly versatile.
4. Distress Inks (Your Secret Weapon for Vintage Vibes)
Want to know the real secret to making new paper look genuinely old? Distress inks. They’re the difference between “I printed this today” and “I found this in my grandmother’s attic.”
👉 Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad – Vintage Photo – If you only buy one ink color, make it this. It creates that perfect tea-stained, aged appearance on anything you touch. I go through these faster than I go through tea bags.
👉 Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink Bundle – Includes Stromy Sky, Dusty Concord, Barn Door, and Ground Espresso. These are water-reactive, which means you can create some gorgeous oxidized effects by spritzing them with water after applying.
Also available at Dick Blick: The full range of Tim Holtz Distress Inks can be found at Dick Blick, often with better color selection than Amazon.
5. Bookbinding Supplies (If You’re Making Your Own)
If you want to learn how to make a junk journal from scratch (and I highly recommend it—there’s something magical about holding a book you actually bound yourself), you’ll need a few specific tools:
👉 Lineco Bookbinding Tool Kit – Everything a beginner needs: bone folder, awl, needles, and more.
👉 Books by Hand Waxed Linen Thread – Strong, traditional bookbinding thread that’s lightly waxed so it doesn’t tangle. Comes in a 3-pack with neutral colors.
👉 Lineco Curved Bookbinding Needles – Perfect for Coptic stitch binding. The curved design makes it SO much easier to sew through thick signatures.
Book awl – For punching clean holes through your signatures (the folded sections of your journal). Dick Blick carries several options in their bookmaking section.
Game-Changing Supplies That Level Up Your Journals
Once you’ve got the basics down, these supplies will take your pages from “nice” to “wait, you made this?!”
Tracing Paper – Layer this over your pages for a dreamy, translucent effect. It adds depth without overwhelming your design.
Doilies – Paper doilies from the baking aisle (yes, really) create gorgeous vintage frames and borders. My students used to love this trick—instant fancy for about 50p.
Coffee-Stained Papers
👉 Vilikya Coffee Stained Junk Journal Supplies – If you don’t want to spend an evening tea-staining paper (or if you’re like me and keep forgetting to brew extra tea), these pre-stained papers are chef’s kiss. They even smell like coffee. 43 pieces in various sizes.
Or print your own on demand:
👉 My Coffee-Stained Printable Paper Pack – I created this set after going through way too many coffee filters and paper towels in my own journaling experiments. These digital printables give you that authentic vintage stain without the mess, and you can print as many copies as you need, whenever you need them. Perfect for those late-night crafting sessions when you realize you’re out of aged paper (we’ve all been there).
👉 Coffee Junk Journal Printable Kit – I created this complete digital kit with coffee-stained pages, tags, ephemera, pockets, and envelopes—all with that authentic vintage aesthetic without the mess. Print exactly what you need, when you need it. No coffee spills on your desk required.
Why I love digital coffee-stained supplies: You get consistency (every print looks intentionally vintage), convenience (no drying time), and you can test layouts before committing. Plus, if you mess up a page, just print another one.
Complete Supply Kits (When You Want Everything at Once)
👉 Vintage Scrapbooking Supplies Kit – 200 pieces including stickers, scrapbook papers, tickets, and tags. This is the kit I recommend when my newsletter readers ask “What’s the fastest way to get started?”
👉 Vintage Scrapbooking Supplies – A massive 500-piece kit with everything from botanical papers to vintage ephemera sheets. Individually wrapped by category, so you’re not digging through a chaotic pile.
Specialty Embellishments
👉 Motivational Quote Stickers – 100 different quotes with a retro typewriter font. These add instant personality to journal pages, and they’re large enough to actually read (unlike some tiny stickers that require a magnifying glass).
Digital Junk Journal Supplies: Print at Home, Create Forever
Not everyone wants to hunt for vintage ephemera or has access to craft stores. Digital printables are brilliant because you can print exactly what you need, when you need it, in whatever quantity you want.
Want to try some? I have 26 free printable seamless patterns that work beautifully as backgrounds for junk journal pages. Print them on regular printer paper, or get fancy with card stock.
Benefits of digital supplies:
- Print as many copies as you need
- No storage required (files live on your computer)
- Perfect for last-minute projects
- Often more budget-friendly than physical supplies
- Customize colors if you’re handy with editing software
Check out my full range of junk journal printables – New designs added weekly to match the seasons, holidays, and whatever vintage aesthetic I’m currently obsessed with.
Where to Buy Junk Journal Supplies: The Best Sources
Amazon (Best for Convenience and Kits)
Amazon is brilliant for:
- Complete starter kits when you want everything at once
- Washi tape in bulk (always cheaper per roll)
- Specialty items you can’t find locally
- Prime shipping when you need supplies now
My go-to Amazon searches:
- “vintage junk journal supplies”
- “junk journal ephemera kit”
- “scrapbooking vintage paper”
- “washi tape vintage”
Dick Blick (Best for Professional-Grade Tools)
Dick Blick is where I send people who are ready to invest in proper, professional supplies. Their bookbinding section is exceptional. You’re paying slightly more than Amazon, but the quality difference is noticeable.
What to buy from Dick Blick:
- Adhesives (especially PVA glue and archival supplies)
- Bookbinding tools (awls, bone folders, needles)
- Quality paper (including their Utrecht chipboard for covers)
- Linen thread and book cloth
Pro tip: Dick Blick often has sales and educator discounts. Sign up for their emails.
Making Junk Journaling More Affordable (Without Sacrificing Quality)
Look, I get it. Art supplies add up fast. Here’s how to keep costs down while still making beautiful journals:
1. Shop Your House First
- Old books (especially damaged ones from charity shops)
- Junk mail (yes, really—some of it has gorgeous typography)
- Tea bags for staining paper
- Coffee filters (brilliant for delicate layering)
- Brown paper bags (perfect aged color)
- Magazine pages
- Old maps
- Sheet music
- Receipts and tickets
2. Thrift Store Treasures
- Vintage postcards (usually 10p each)
- Old books for their pages
- Fabric scraps for covers
- Buttons and trim
- Lace and doilies
3. Buy in Bulk When It Makes Sense
- Washi tape sets vs. individual rolls
- Paper packs vs. single sheets
- Adhesive in larger quantities (it doesn’t go bad)
4. Swap with Other Junk Journalers
- Join Facebook groups for swaps
- Organize local meet-ups
- Trade supplies you’re not using
Special Resources for Junk Journal Lovers
Looking for gift ideas? I put together a comprehensive watercolor gift guide for beginners that includes supplies perfect for mixed media and junk journaling (watercolor and junk journaling are natural creative partners).
Shopping for a junk journalist? Check out my best gifts for junk journalers guide for curated recommendations they’ll actually use.
Getting Started: Your First Supply Order
If you’re completely new and want to make your first supply order, here’s what I’d buy:
The Bare Minimum Budget Build (Under £30):
- Vintage Scrapbooking Supplies Kit (gives you variety)
- Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad – Vintage Photo
- Glue stick + PVA glue
- Scissors you already own
- A notebook from anywhere
The Serious Starter Build (Around £80):
- Complete ephemera kit
- Set of 4 Distress Ink pads
- Lineco Bookbinding Tool Kit
- Quality PVA glue
- Washi tape set
- Books by Hand waxed thread
- Paper trimmer
The “I’m All In” Build (£150+): Everything from Serious Starter, plus:
- Multiple ink colors
- Specialty tools (embossing, stamping)
- Premium papers
- Bone folder and awl set
- Multiple adhesive types
- Bigger storage solutions
Common Questions (Answered Honestly)
“Do I need everything on these lists to start?”
Absolutely not. I’ve seen gorgeous journals made with just paper, glue, and a black pen. Start small. Add supplies as you discover what you actually enjoy using.
“Can I use regular printer paper?”
Yes! Especially if you tea-stain or coffee-stain it first. Some of my favorite journal pages are on plain printer paper that’s been aged with tea and crumpled for texture.
“Are expensive supplies worth it?”
Sometimes. Quality adhesive? Worth it. That special £15 washi tape? Maybe not for your first journal. Buy the best version of tools you’ll use constantly (scissors, glue, ink). Economize on decorative elements you’ll use occasionally.
“How do I store all these supplies?”
Start simple—plastic boxes from the pound shop work fine. As your collection grows, invest in proper storage. Those bead organizers from craft stores are brilliant for small embellishments.
The Real Secret to Great Junk Journals
Here’s what I learned after years of teaching art: supplies matter less than you think. That perfectly aged ephemera? That £40 set of vintage postcards? That specialty imported washi tape?
None of it matters if you’re afraid to actually use it.
The best junk journal supply is the one you’ll actually cut, glue, and create with. The second-best supply is the one that makes you excited to sit down and work. Everything else is just pretty clutter.
So start with what you have. Order a few supplies that genuinely excite you. Most importantly? Start making pages. Messy ones. Imperfect ones. Ones that don’t look like Pinterest.
Because here’s the truth none of the supply lists tell you: the magic isn’t in your washi tape collection or your vintage ephemera stash. It’s in the act of sitting down with paper and glue and making something that didn’t exist before.
That first journal my daughter made? The one with grocery store tape and pressed flowers? It’s still her most treasured one. Not because the supplies were fancy. Because she made it, and it holds her memories.
That’s what junk journaling is really about.
Now go make something messy and beautiful. Your supplies are waiting.
Creative Junk Journal Printables To Add to Your Stash!
Dive into the exciting realm of junk journal printables! These ready-to-use designs are perfect for adding a splash of creativity and vintage charm to your journaling projects. From intricate patterns to nostalgic imagery, these printables make it super easy to elevate your pages.
Just purchase, download, and print, and you’re ready to start crafting your unique journal spreads.
your artwork is beautiful!