✂️ How to Make a Journal: A Step-by-Step DIY Guide for Beginners 📖✨
Because your stories deserve a beautiful place to live.
There’s something magical about creating your own journal from scratch. Whether you want to document your memories, write down your thoughts, or start a junk journal full of treasures, making your own handmade journal adds a personal, meaningful touch to your creative journey.
The best part? You don’t need fancy tools or expensive supplies. Just a little time, love, and some paper scraps can turn into something beautiful.
🧡 Supplies You’ll Need
You can get creative with what you already have! Here’s a basic list to get started:
Essentials:
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Paper (printer paper, scrapbook paper, tea-stained pages, old book pages)
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Cardstock, cereal box, or chipboard for the cover
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Scissors or a paper trimmer
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Glue stick or double-sided tape
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Needle and thread, staples, or string for binding
Optional Extras:
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Decorative papers, stickers, washi tape
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Ribbon or fabric for closure
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Hole punch and brads or rings
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Photos, dried flowers, or ephemera
📝 Step-by-Step: How to Make a Handmade Journal
Step 1: Gather Your Paper
Choose about 10–15 sheets of paper. These can be:
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Blank pages
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Tea-stained or coffee-dyed pages
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Music sheets or book pages
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Scrapbook paper
Fold each page in half (hamburger style) to form a booklet.
💡 Tip: Mixing different textures and colors makes your journal more fun and junk-journal-friendly!
Step 2: Make the Cover
Use a thicker piece of paper, cardstock, or recycled cardboard for your cover.
Cut it slightly larger than your folded pages (e.g., if your pages are 5”x7” folded, make the cover 5.5”x7.5”).
Decorate it before binding—add scrapbook paper, stickers, lace, or paint to make it yours.
Step 3: Assemble Your Signatures
A signature is a bundle of folded pages stacked together inside the cover.
You can have one or more signatures depending on how thick you want your journal to be.
Align the folded edges so they sit neatly inside the folded cover.
Step 4: Bind Your Journal
There are a few easy ways to bind your journal:
a) Simple Staple Bind:
Staple along the folded spine (use a long-reach stapler if needed).
b) Pamphlet Stitch (Hand Sewn):
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Punch 3 holes along the fold: top, center, and bottom.
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Sew in a straight line using a needle and embroidery thread or waxed string.
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Tie off in the middle.
c) Hole Punch & String:
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Punch 2–3 holes along the fold.
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Thread ribbon or twine through the holes and tie on the outside.
🎀 Bonus idea: Add charms, buttons, or beads to your string for extra flair!
Step 5: Personalize & Fill It In
Now the fun begins!
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Add pockets, tip-ins, and tags
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Glue envelopes or fold pages for secret spots
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Journal your thoughts, memories, quotes, or dreams
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Collage with ephemera, washi tape, or photos
This is your creative playground—there are no rules!
💡 Extra Tips:
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Theme It: Make one for travel, self-care, poetry, gratitude, or just for fun.
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Reuse Everything: Old mail, clothing tags, tea bags, fabric scraps—they all belong.
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Work in Layers: Collage backgrounds, then add text or doodles.
🌸 Why Make Your Own Journal?
Because store-bought journals don’t tell your story from the outside in.
Because handmade is heartfelt.
Because your creativity deserves a space that’s just as unique as you.
📥 Want a Free Printable Cover or Binding Template?
👉 Sign up for our newsletter and download our Free DIY Journal Starter Pack, which includes:
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Cover page designs
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Binding hole placement guide
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Bonus journal prompts to get started!
Now it’s your turn—grab your scraps, fold those pages, and start creating your story.
You’ve got everything you need inside you (and your craft drawer). 💕✂️
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