Getting Started With Junk Journal Templates
A junk journal template gives you a starting point for assembling pages, pockets, and decorative elements without guessing at layouts. I've spent years putting these together and the basic approach is straightforward: you print or trace the template pieces, cut them out from whatever paper stock you have lying around, and assemble. The template tells you where to score, fold, and glue so everything lines up when you're done. The most common mistake I see beginners make is using thin copy paper for the pocket templates. It warps as soon as you apply glue and the whole structure collapses. Use at least 80lb cardstock or heavy printer paper. I learned that the hard way after ruining three journals in a row before switching materials.
Essential Junk Journal Template
Here's what the core template set should include. A basic layout has a cover piece, inner pages or inserts, envelope pockets, tag holes, and optional mini-album inserts. You can find free downloadable versions online. Search for PDF junk journal templates that come with scoring guides already marked. The ones with visual scoring lines save maybe twenty minutes per project since you don't have to measure and mark each fold point yourself. I've used a template where the pocket depth was listed as two inches but when I actually glued it together, the side flaps interfered with closing. The workaround was simple: I reduced the pocket depth by a quarter inch and the flaps sat flush. Always do a dry fit before committing glue.
How to Use the Template in Practice
Print your template at actual size. Some PDFs get scaled down by design programs automatically, which throws off your dimensions. Check a test square on the page if one is provided, or measure a known reference point like a one-inch box. Most free templates online are accurate to within a sixteenth of an inch, which is close enough for this kind of project but not exact. Score before you fold. Use a bone folder or the back of a butter knife dragged lightly along a metal ruler. This creates a clean fold line without cracking the paper surface. For thicker cardstock, going over the score line twice works better than pressing hard the first time. Glue application matters more than people realize. PVA white glue like Elmer's gets absorbed by paper and warps it. Use a thin PVA with low moisture content or a glue stick for paper-to-paper bonds. For attaching found objects or heavier materials, go with a stronger adhesive like archival liquid glue or double-sided tape runners. I stopped using glue sticks for structural joints about five years ago after a journal fell apart during a trip. The glue stick held fine for decoration but failed under stress.
Get the Full Details
When assembling multiple layers, work from the heaviest material upward. Glue your cardstock base first, then add lighter papers, then tuck in ephemera. The order affects how the journal lays flat when closed. I've seen people skip this and end up with bulky journals that won't stay shut.
Pitfalls That Waste Time
One issue that comes up regularly: templates assume standard paper sizes. If you're working with A5 or custom dimensions, you need to scale the template accordingly. Scaling in a PDF editor usually maintains proportions but can distort print quality. I recommend using a photocopier set to percentage mode for scaling rather than software, which tends to produce sharper cut lines. Another thing nobody mentions about junk journal templates: they rarely account for the thickness of your ephemera. If you plan to tuck in business cards, ticket stubs, or layered paper pieces, your pockets need extra depth. A pocket built to exact template dimensions might only hold a single sheet of standard paper. Add an eighth to a quarter inch to pocket depths if you're stuffing them. The biggest limitation of pre-made templates is rigidity. They force you into specific dimensions and layouts. If you want something that fits your particular paper stash or your preferred journal size, customizing the template is often faster than fighting it. I keep a master set of dimensions for my usual paper sizes and adjust from there rather than starting from scratch each time.
Free templates are available from craft sites and Pinterest. Paid versions from Etsy or craft blogs sometimes include more detailed instructions and alternative page layouts. The difference between free and paid templates is usually just the variety of pocket styles and decorative elements included. The core technique is the same regardless.
