Picking the Right Junk Journal Stickers
Junk journal stickers are just that - stickers you use to decorate pages in a junk journal. The market is oversaturated, which makes finding ones that actually work for mixed-media layouts a bit of a chore. Most cheap packs are printed on regular vinyl and they just lift at the edges once you start applying medium over them. I spent about six months going through different suppliers before I stopped wasting money on stuff that didn't hold up. The papers you layer over them matter more than the sticker quality itself. Wax paper, tea-stained scraps, tissue paper, bits of old book pages - they all sit on top of the sticker surface. If the adhesive isn't strong enough, everything slides around. The best ones I've found have a matte finish rather than glossy, because the texture grips better when you're working wet medium over them. Glossy stuff just beads up under gesso or acrylic paint. I run into this all the time with archival glue. Most people reach for Mod Podge or PVA, but those can yellow over a couple years if you're working on anything intended to last. I switched to archival matte medium from Golden and the difference is noticeable. The stickers stay put, the pages don't buckle as badly, and nothing yellows. It costs more per ounce but you use less of it because the coverage is better.
Where to Find Them
Shop options break down into three buckets. Etsy sellers dominate the space - small studios making limited runs of vintage-style prints. The problem there is inconsistency. One order you get great cardstock-weight stickers, the next batch they switch to thinner paper without warning. Check recent reviews specifically mentioning "weight" or "thickness" because sellers rarely list that. Big retailers like Amazon and Michaels carry budget packs. These are fine for practice or if you're just starting out. Don't expect them to survive heavy medium application though. The ones from Daiso and Hacoa are actually decent for the price if you buy the thicker sticker sheets and trim around them yourself. Then there are the specialty makers who sell directly. People like Mollie Makes, Papertrey Ink, and various indie artists on Instagram. These are the ones worth paying full price for because the print quality and paper weight are consistent. You're paying for someone who actually journals and knows what survives the process.
Top Junk Journal Stickers You Can Download or Buy
There's a section of creators who offer free printable sticker sheets. The trade-off is you need a decent printer and some cardstock. I use 110lb cover weight stock from UPM and it handles everything I throw at it. Print them on matte or semi-gloss finish - never use gloss coating paper because the finish fights with the adhesive. Cut them out with a paper trimmer or sharp scissors, and skip the laminating step. Lamination creates a plastic barrier that no amount of sanding or scoring will make accept paint or glue properly. If you want ready-made options without the printer hassle, the Go! Tools sticker packs from Simon Says Stamp are solid. They come pre-cut on good stock and the designs lean toward the vintage botanical and ephemera aesthetic that junk journalers actually want. Prices run around twelve to eighteen dollars a pack. Not cheap, but they last through multiple page layouts without curling.
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Application Techniques That Actually Work
Most people just peel and stick, then move on. That works for light decoration but falls apart if you're doing a fully mixed-media page. I score the edges of each sticker with a bone folder before adhering. Just drag the tool lightly around the perimeter so the edges lay flat. It takes about five seconds per sticker and prevents the lifting problem that ruins half my pages in the first week. For heavy layering, I apply a thin coat of medium to the back of the sticker first, let it get tacky, then position it. This anchors it better than dry application. The sticker still moves a little while you're positioning but it doesn't slide around once you press it down. Wait at least ten minutes before applying anything wet on top. Rushing this step is the number one reason stickers delaminate from the page. One edge case that trips everyone up: using stickers on pages that have already been treated with wax or oil. The wax creates a barrier and nothing sticks to it. I learned this the hard way after wasting an entire page. The workaround is to lightly sand the waxed area with 220-grit paper, wipe away the dust, then apply the sticker. The microscopic scratches give the adhesive something to grip onto. Don't skip the wiping step or the dust will just mix with the glue and create a weak bond.
Storage and Organization
Stick them in a ziplock bag with a silica packet. Humidity warps the paper backing and makes them curl even before you use them. I keep mine in a flat storage box sorted by color and theme. Vintage botanicals in one section, typography in another, ephemera-style pieces separate from the illustrated ones. Takes about twenty minutes to set up the system and saves you from digging through a messy pile every time you want to work. Don't buy more than you'll use in a few months. Stickers fade even in storage if they're near a window. I had a batch of Lindy's Stamp Gang pigments transfer onto neighboring sticker sheets in a drawer and ruined about thirty pieces. Keep them separated by type and store everything in a closed cabinet away from direct light.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using too much adhesive is the most common error I see. People think more glue means stronger bond. It doesn't. It creates bubbles, wrinkles the paper, and pools around the edges. A thin, even layer is all you need. If you're using a brush to apply medium, use a flat brush and do one pass only. Another mistake is skipping the drying time between layers. Each coat of medium needs to cure fully before the next one goes on. Touch test - if it feels cool or slightly tacky, it's not dry yet. Working over partially cured medium creates cloudy spots and softens the sticker adhesive underneath. And don't ignore the backing paper quality. Cheap sticker sheets use a silicone-coated liner that leaves residue on the sticker surface. This residue prevents proper adhesion. If your stickers feel slightly sticky before you even remove the backing, they're already contaminated. Return them if you can, or factor that into your buying decisions.
