Junk journaling has exploded in popularity, with Pinterest searches for "junk journal supplies" increasing 300% in 2024. If you've been scrolling through Instagram or TikTok mesmerized by those gorgeously layered vintage journals, you're not alone. This comprehensive guide will show you exactly what supplies you need to start your junk journaling journey in 2025.
What is Junk Journaling? (And Why Everyone's Obsessed)
Junk journaling is the art of creating personalized journals using "found" or vintage materials—think old book pages, ticket stubs, postcards, and vintage ephemera. It's where nostalgia meets creativity, and in 2025, it's become the ultimate self-care ritual for Gen Z and Millennials seeking tactile, analog experiences in our digital world.
Why Junk Journaling is Trending in 2025:
- 80% of Gen Z loves vintage aesthetic crafting (source: Nostalgia Marketing Report 2025)
- It's a mindful "me time" activity that reduces screen time
- Sustainability-focused: Uses recycled and vintage materials
- Perfect for the cottagecore and dark academia aesthetics
- Social media communities with millions of engaged creators
Essential Junk Journal Supplies: The Complete List
1. Vintage Ephemera (The Heart of Junk Journaling)
Vintage ephemera is the soul of any junk journal. These are paper materials from past decades—the more authentic, the better.
What Qualifies as Ephemera:
- Old book pages (especially from 1920s-1980s)
- Vintage postcards and greeting cards
- Antique ledger paper and receipts
- Historical newspaper clippings
- Aged botanical prints
- Old maps and atlas pages
- Vintage advertising materials
- Antique music sheets
Where to Find Authentic Vintage Ephemera:
- Estate sales and antique shops
- Flea markets and thrift stores
- CoraCreaCrafts Vintage Craft Box - curated monthly ephemera
- Etsy vintage sellers
- Library book sales (damaged book sections)
Pro Tip: Look for the "anemoia" aesthetic—nostalgia for times you never experienced. Gen Z crafters especially love 1950s-1990s ephemera with that authentic aged patina.
2. Washi Tape Collection
Washi tape is the junk journaler's best friend. These decorative Japanese masking tapes come in thousands of designs.
Essential Washi Tape Styles for 2025:
- Vintage-inspired patterns: florals, postal marks, antique labels (Old Time Washi Tape)
- Nature themes: botanical, cottagecore aesthetics (Apothecary Flower Washi Tape)
- Text and typography: vintage fonts, old newspaper styles (Burnt Writing Washi Tape Set)
- Seasonal designs: for themed journal pages
- Width variety: From 5mm thin lines to 50mm wide borders
How to Use Washi Tape:
- Page borders and frames
- Secure ephemera without permanent adhesive
- Create tabs and dividers
- Add decorative overlays
- Fix "mistakes" artistically
Budget-Friendly Tip: Start with 5-10 versatile rolls. CoraCreaCrafts includes at least 1 washi tape in every monthly Vintage Craft Box, helping you build a diverse collection over time.
3. Rubber Stamps & Ink Pads
Stamps add instant vintage character and help tie your journal pages together thematically.
Must-Have Stamp Categories:
- Vintage typography: old typewriter fonts, antique letters (Academia Wooden Stamp Set)
- Postal/travel: stamps, postmarks, "airmail" designs
- Nature & botanicals: leaves, flowers, insects (Bees Clear Stamp)
- Decorative borders: frames, corners, dividers
- Dates & time: calendars, clocks, vintage date stamps
Ink Colors for Vintage Aesthetic:
- Sepia brown (most versatile for vintage look)
- Black (classic, high contrast)
- Deep burgundy/wine
- Forest green
- Faded blue
4. Stickers & Die-Cuts
Modern stickers designed with vintage aesthetics are essential for quick embellishment.
2025 Trending Sticker Styles:
- Cottagecore: mushrooms, garden florals, woodland creatures (Countryside Romance Sticker Book)
- Dark academia: vintage books, candles, antique keys (Dark Academia Sticker Book)
- Nostalgic ephemera: vintage ads, old product labels (50s Fashion Sticker Book)
- Seasonal themes: with authentic vintage color palettes (Autumn Cards, Christmas Letters Stickers)
- Transparent/translucent: for layering effects
Quality vs. Quantity: Invest in high-quality stickers from indie artists (like those in STICKII Club or CoraCreaCrafts) rather than cheap mass-produced ones. The difference in paper quality and design authenticity is dramatic.
5. Vintage-Style Papers
The foundation of every junk journal page.
Paper Types You Need:
- Aged scrapbook paper: with vintage patterns (Alchemical Manuscripts Paper Set)
- Parchment/aged paper: for that authentic old-book feel (4 Elements Paper Set)
- Vellum: for transparent layering
- Kraft paper: natural, rustic base
- Printable vintage papers: digital designs you can print (2025 Vintage Digital Calendar)
- Old book pages: actual vintage or reproduction (Academia Ephemera Book, Codex Ephemera Book)
Paper Weight Guide:
- 80-100 gsm: For layering and ephemera
- 120-160 gsm: For journal pages
- 200+ gsm: For covers and sturdy bases
6. Adhesives: What Sticks Best
The right adhesive makes or breaks your junk journal experience.
Adhesive Types Ranked:
-
Glue Sticks (Tombow Mono)
- Best for: Large ephemera pieces
- Pros: Clean, repositionable, no wrinkles
- Cons: Less permanent over time
-
Washi Tape (Double-Duty!)
- Best for: Everything (see why it's #1 on supply lists)
- Pros: Decorative + functional, removable
- Cons: Can unstick on heavily handled pages
-
Mod Podge/Gel Medium
- Best for: Permanent adhesion, sealing
- Pros: Very strong, adds protective layer
- Cons: Can wrinkle thin papers
-
Double-Sided Tape Runners
- Best for: Quick, clean adhesion
- Pros: No wet mess, instant stick
- Cons: Can be expensive
-
Vintage Glue Dots
- Best for: Small embellishments, dimensional items
- Pros: Clean, strong, no strings
- Cons: Small pack sizes
Pro Technique: Use multiple adhesive types in one journal for variety and practical purposes. Washi for temporary/decorative, glue stick for permanent layering.
7. Writing Tools for Vintage Aesthetic
Your handwriting is part of the art.
Recommended Pens:
- Black gel pens (Uni-ball Signo 0.5mm): Archival quality
- Brown/sepia gel pens: Vintage diary effect
- Fine-tip felt pens (Micron): For detailed lettering
- Fountain pens: Authentic vintage writing (Carousel Fountain Pen in Blue, Green, or Pink)
- White gel pens (Sakura Gelly Roll): For dark papers
- Colored gel pens: For accents (Blue Gel Pens Set of 4)
8. Embellishments & Extras
The finishing touches that make pages pop.
Popular Embellishments for 2025:
- Dried pressed flowers: Ultimate cottagecore
- Vintage buttons: From grandmother's sewing kit aesthetic (Decorative Brads Metal and Pearls)
- Lace and ribbon: Romantic, Victorian vibes
- Metal charms: Keys, clocks, vintage motifs
- Library pockets: Functional and vintage
- Manila tags: Perfect for journaling snippets
- Paper clips: Vintage brass or floral designs (Clef Clip for music lovers)
- Vintage photos: Old family photos or antique portraits
Junk Journal Supplies for Different Aesthetics
Cottagecore Junk Journal Kit:
- 🌿 Pressed flowers and botanical ephemera (2025 Vintage Botanical Digital Calendar)
- 🍄 Mushroom-themed stickers
- 📜 Aged parchment papers (Arabesque of Flowers Rice Paper)
- 🌸 Floral washi tape (Apothecary Flower Washi Tape)
- 🦋 Nature-themed stamps (Bees & Insects Clear Stamp)
- 🕯️ Earthy ink colors (green, brown, cream - Aging & Dusty Inkpads)
Dark Academia Junk Journal Kit:
- 📚 Vintage book pages (Book Lovers Rice Paper Pack)
- 🕰️ Antique clock ephemera
- 🖋️ Fountain pen and sepia ink (Carousel Fountain Pen)
- 🗝️ Skeleton key charms
- 🎓 University/library themed ephemera (Academia Box)
- 🏛️ Classical architecture stamps (Academia Wooden Stamp Set)
Nostalgic/Retro Junk Journal Kit:
- 📻 1950s-1990s advertising ephemera (50s Fashion Sticker Book)
- 📺 Vintage TV guide clippings
- 🎵 Old concert tickets and music ephemera
- 📸 Polaroid-style photo corners
- 🎨 Retro color palette stickers (Nostalgia Ephemera Book)
- 📮 Vintage postage stamp designs
Starting Your Junk Journal: Beginner's Shopping List
Budget: $30-50 (Starter Kit)
- 1 blank journal or composition book ($5-10)
- 5-7 washi tape rolls ($10-15)
- 1 set vintage ephemera ($8-12)
- 3-5 rubber stamps ($12-15)
- Adhesive variety pack ($8-10)
- Black gel pen ($3)
Budget: $100-150 (Comprehensive Kit)
- Quality journal with thick pages ($20-30)
- 15+ washi tapes ($30-40)
- CoraCreaCrafts Vintage Craft Box subscription ($30/month - includes ephemera, washi, stamps, stickers)
- Stamp set (10+ stamps) ($25-35)
- Premium adhesives ($15-20)
- Embellishment variety ($15-20)
Pro Tip: Subscribe to a curated vintage craft box like CoraCreaCrafts to build your collection monthly without the overwhelm of shopping. You'll get 7-8 themed items each month, perfectly coordinated.
Where to Buy Junk Journal Supplies in 2025
Best Online Shops:
- CoraCreaCrafts - Authentic vintage ephemera subscription boxes
- Etsy - Independent sellers with unique vintage materials
- STICKII Club - Affordable sticker subscriptions with vintage options
- Amazon - Bulk supplies and basics
- AliExpress - Budget-friendly washi tape and stickers
Physical Stores:
- Michaels/Joann - Basic supplies, seasonal sales
- Antique shops - Authentic vintage ephemera
- Thrift stores - Old books for page sourcing
- Dollar stores - Budget washi and stickers
- Estate sales - Treasure troves of vintage paper goods
Free/Low-Cost Sources:
- Library book sales (damaged book sections)
- Free printable vintage ephemera (Pinterest, Artsydee, Printable Pretty)
- Old calendars and magazines
- Junk mail (yes, really! Vintage-style catalogs are gold)
- Family photo boxes (with permission)
Junk Journaling Trends for 2025
What's Hot:
✅ Nostalgia for the analog era - 73% of Gen Z marketing features retro references
✅ Sustainability focus - Upcycling and vintage materials align with eco-values
✅ Mental health + self-care - Junk journaling as "me time" ritual
✅ Social media communities - #JunkJournal has 2.5M+ posts on Instagram
✅ Themed monthly journals - Following subscription box themes
✅ Mixed media layering - Combining multiple techniques per page
What's Declining:
❌ Overly perfect, Pinterest-style layouts
❌ Digital-only journaling
❌ Generic mass-produced supplies
❌ Single-aesthetic journals (people want variety)
Beginner FAQs
Q: Do I need to be artistic to start junk journaling?
A: Absolutely not! Junk journaling is about layering beautiful materials, not drawing skills. If you can glue and place ephemera, you can create stunning pages.
Q: How much should I spend starting out?
A: $30-50 for basics. A subscription box like CoraCreaCrafts ($30/month) gives you everything coordinated without overwhelming shopping decisions.
Q: Where do I find authentic vintage ephemera?
A: Estate sales, antique shops, and curated subscription boxes like CoraCreaCrafts. Avoid "vintage-inspired" reproductions initially—authentic materials have better texture and aging.
Q: Can I use modern materials in a vintage journal?
A: Yes! Mix vintage and modern supplies. Many 2025 journalers blend authentic ephemera with modern stickers and washi for the best of both worlds.
Q: How do I prevent pages from getting too bulky?
A: Use thinner ephemera, avoid thick cardstock, and limit 3D embellishments. Or embrace the bulk—many junk journalers love "chunky" journals!
Q: Is junk journaling expensive?
A: It can be as budget-friendly or premium as you want. Subscription boxes ($30/month) offer best value. Free printables and thrift shopping keep costs low.
Your Junk Journaling Journey Starts Here
The beauty of junk journaling lies in its imperfection and personal expression. There's no "wrong way" to create—every crinkled page, layered ephemera piece, and handwritten note tells your unique story.
Ready to start?
- 📦 Subscribe to CoraCreaCrafts Curiosities Box for bimonthly curated supplies
- 📚 Browse vintage ephemera collections
- 💌 Join the CoraCreaCrafts Discord community for inspiration and support
Follow us for daily junk journal inspiration:
- Discord: CoraCreaCrafts Guild
- Instagram: @coracreacrafts
- Pinterest: CoraCreaCrafts
- TikTok: @coracreacrafts
Related Articles You'll Love:
This guide is updated for 2025 trends based on nostalgia marketing research, Gen Z aesthetic preferences, and sustainable crafting movements. Products mentioned are curated for quality and authenticity.
