How to Make Junk Journal (Step-by-Step Creative DIY)

There’s something quietly magical about a junk journal—the way it grows, shifts, and becomes a living snapshot of your thoughts, moods, and little everyday treasures. 

If you’ve been craving a more relaxed, no-rules approach to memory keeping, this tutorial will walk you through exactly how to create a junk journal like mine…plus plenty of creative ways to make it your own.

What Is a Junk Journal?

A junk journal is exactly what it sounds like—in the best way. 

It’s a handmade journal filled with a mix of papers, scraps, and found materials. 

Think envelopes, book pages, packaging, receipts, movie tickets, ephemera and anything else that would normally get tossed.

But instead of being “junk,” these bits and pieces turn into something deeply personal.

There’s no pressure, no structure, and absolutely no wrong way to do it.

Why Is Junk Journaling So Popular Right Now?

Junk journaling has been gaining a lot of steam lately, and it’s easy to see why. 

As more people lean into screen-free hobbies and tactile creativity, this style of journaling fits right into that larger trend.

It’s low-pressure, beginner-friendly, and doesn’t require special skills or expensive supplies. You can start with things you already have at home, which makes it accessible and sustainable.

Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about creating a space where you can track feelings, colors, memories, and random bits of life—all in one place.

Start small, just with a piece of cardboard, cereal box or chipboard...some papers and a cover...again could be a piece of cardboard.

If you have gel plate prints, this is a great addition to junk journals--more about this at the end of the post.

Let's get started!

Supplies Needed to Make a Junk Journal:

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One of the best first things to understand about junk journaling is that your supply list can be as simple or as elaborate as you want, take inspiration from this blog post and then make it your own!

Look around your house, and definitely check in the recycle bin...chances are you already have most of what you need!

Here’s what I used to create my journal:

• 5x7 chipboard (for structure)
• Scrap leather (for the cover)
• Assorted paper (printer paper, book pages, hymnal pages, envelopes)
• Hole punch
• Two 3-inch binder rings (can start smaller and grow as needed)
• Glue stick 
• Brush calligraphy pen
• Stickers and ephemera
• Guillotine Paper Cutter

Optional additions:

• Bubble mailers (great for texture and padding)
• Fabric scraps
• Washi tape
• Ribbon or lace
• Old greeting cards
• Magazine cutouts (letters or pictures for collage)
• Check the recycle bin!
• Ripped edges are awesome, check out this video for making a deckled edge ruler

Step 1: Create the Base Structure

Start by cutting your chipboard to a 5x7 size. This is what I consider the perfect size for a junk journal—small enough to feel approachable, but large enough to hold meaningful content.

Use the chipboard as your template for everything else. This keeps your journal cohesive even though the materials are mixed.

Punch two holes along one edge of the chipboard.

• 2 inches down from the top and 2 inches up from the bottom, 1/2 inch from the edge.

 

These will be used for your binding rings.

Step 2: Cut and Prep Your Pages

Next, gather your papers—this is where the fun begins.

Cut everything to match your chipboard template:

• Plain paper
• Envelopes
• Hymnal pages
• Book pages
• Scrap paper

*NOTE: Remember about 640,000 TONS (1,280,000,000 pounds) of books are sent to landfills every year (in just the U.S.), so using book pages is a great way to upcycle and reduce waste.

Using the chipboard as a guide ensures consistency, but don’t stress about perfection. Slight variations actually add charm.

Punch matching holes in all your pages so they align with the chipboard.

Step 3: Assemble with Ring Binding

Thread everything together using two 3-inch binder rings.

This is honestly one of the best parts of this method.

Ring binding is perfect for junk journals because it allows the book to expand naturally. As you add bulk—stickers, glued items, layered papers—the rings accommodate that growth.

If you were using a bound notebook or sketchbook, it wouldn’t expand the same way, and your pages could warp or become difficult to use.

With rings, your journal evolves with you.

Step 4: Add Your Cover

For the cover, I used a scrap piece of leather that happened to be just the right size.

You can punch holes in the leather just like the chipboard and add it to the front.

When thinking about junk journal covers, don’t overcomplicate it. Some great options include:

• Fabric scraps
• Cardboard packaging
• Old book covers
• Denim or canvas
• Layered collage pieces
• Favorite Cereal or snack box 

For back covers, you can repeat the same material or use something sturdier for support.

A good rule of thumb is to choose something slightly thicker than your inner pages to help protect everything inside.

Step 5: Start Filling Your Journal

Now comes the most personal—and most freeing—part.

There’s no structure you need to follow. You don’t have to go in order. You don’t even need to write every day.

Here’s how I use mine:

• Journaling about a specific day or feeling
• Writing quotes with a brush calligraphy pen
• Adding stickers (sometimes entire pages of them!)
• Gluing in mementos like receipts or notes
• Playing with color combinations

Some pages are full. Some are sparse. Some are just a single sticker.

That’s the beauty of it.

Creative Ways to Use Your Junk Journal

If you’re wondering what else you can do with your journal, here are some creative ways to expand your practice:

Mood + Color Tracking
Dedicate pages to color palettes that reflect your emotions. Use markers, paint, or paper scraps.

Memory Keeping
Glue in small items from your day—tickets, tags, packaging, or notes.

Quote Collection
Use your calligraphy pen to write quotes that resonate with you.

Sticker Therapy
Fill pages freely with stickers—no design rules required. Seriously, let the page feel like an unsupervised 7 year old was handed a sticker sheet and fill that paper!

Gratitude Lists
Write quick lists of things you appreciated that day, simply jotting 3 things down that you are grateful for is very healing.

Mini Collages
Layer paper, textures, magazine pages--letters and pictures, and images for visual storytelling.

Adding Interactive Elements

One of the most fun parts of junk journaling is creating interactive pages.

Here are a few ideas:

Tuck Spots

Tuck spots are small pockets made from paper or envelopes where you can slide in notes, tags, or photos.

You can glue down three sides of a paper scrap to create a pocket, or repurpose envelopes.

Flip-Out Pages
Attach a page with washi tape so it flips open.

Fold-Out Sections
Use larger paper folded down to your journal size for hidden space.

Hidden Notes
Tuck journaling behind glued elements for a layered effect.

Using Everyday Materials

Don’t underestimate the power of everyday items.

Bubble mailers, for example, can be cut down and used as textured pages or pockets.

Packaging materials, tags, and even paper bags can add interest and variety.

This is where junk journaling really shines—it transforms the ordinary into something meaningful.

There’s No “Right” Way (And Definitely No Wrong Way)

It’s worth repeating: there is no wrong way to junk journal.

If your pages feel messy, that’s okay.
If they feel too simple, that’s okay too.
If you skip pages, jump around, or change styles completely—that’s part of the process.

A junk journal is meant to reflect you, not a set of rules.

Tips for Getting Started

If you’re feeling unsure, here are a few gentle tips:

• Start small—just one page is enough
• Keep your supplies within reach
• Don’t wait for “perfect” materials
• Let go of perfection
• Follow your mood instead of a plan
• Growing Your Journal Over Time

One of the most satisfying things about using ring binding is watching your journal grow.

You'll be able to enjoy:

• Add more pages anytime
• Rearrange sections
• Remove pages if needed
• Expand with larger rings later

It becomes a living, evolving project.

Exploring Other Popular Journal Styles

If you love junk journaling, you might also enjoy exploring other trending journal forms:

Art Journals

Focused on painting, drawing, and mixed media.

Bullet Journals
Structured layouts for planning and tracking.

Smash Books
Similar to junk journals but often more scrapbook-style.

Travel Journals
Document trips with maps, tickets, and notes.

Gratitude Journals
Simple daily reflections on positive moments.

Each style offers something different, but they all share that same core idea—capturing life in a tangible way.

That's it!

Creating a junk journal is less about crafting something perfect and more about giving yourself a space to exist creatively without pressure.

From the simple act of cutting your pages to the spontaneous decision to fill a spread with stickers, every part of the process invites you to slow down and enjoy making.

Whether you’re tracking feelings, collecting memories, or just playing with paper and color, your journal becomes a reflection of your life in its most authentic form.

So gather your scraps, grab those binder rings, and start building something that’s entirely your own.

Because in the world of junk journaling, the imperfect, layered, slightly chaotic pages? Those are the ones that end up meaning the most.

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