Why should I add pockets to my junk journal?

Pockets add a treasure hunt feel to your journal and serve practical purposes like preserving original photos without glue, adding privacy for personal writing, and hiding ugly ephemera like bright tickets that don't match your style.

What supplies do I need to make junk journal pockets?

You will need cardstock, a paper trimmer, and glue. For an artsy look, you can also use Distress Ink, baker's twine, and white acrylic paint for splatters.

How can I score paper without a scoring board?

You can improvise by using a paper trimmer and a bone folder. If you don't have a bone folder, a pen cap or the closed end of a pen works perfectly to create an indent along the trimmer's groove.

Where can I find free junk journal pocket printables?

Sweet North Studio offers a free 8 page artsy themed kit in their member area, which includes pockets, tuck spots, tags, and fussy cuts.

DIY Junk Journal Pockets and Tucks + Free Printable Kit

Colleen McCarthy
6 days ago
2 min read

Do you ever flip through your journal and feel like it’s missing a bit of magic? Sometimes our pages can feel a little flat, but there is a simple secret to bringing them to life: interactive pockets and tuck spots.

Including elements like this does more than make your journal look beautiful. It turns your pages into something of a treasure hunt. Pulling out pretty stickers and notes adds a fun element to your junk journals.

This article may contain affiliate links. This means that I might earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.

A top-down view of an open junk journal spread featuring interactive elements from the artsy themed kit, including a floral belly band, a tabbed pocket with a stack of books, and various matching tags and fussy cuts tucked into decorative spots. — This layered spread uses tuck spots and pockets from the printable kit to hold artsy themed fussy cuts and tags.

Why Your Journal Needs Pockets

Pockets are more than just a place to put stuff. Here are three more, practical ways to use them:

Preserving the Past: For original handwritten letters or vintage photos, pockets let you include them in your journal without using glue or scissors on the original piece.
Privacy Please: If you’re writing personal thoughts, folding your page and slipping it into a pocket adds a layer of privacy.
The Ugly Problem: We all have those bright yellow tickets or orange brochures from trips that don’t match our junk journal aesthetic. Tucking them into a pocket keeps the memory safe without clashing with your style.

Watch the Tutorial

In my newest video, I’m walking you through a few different ways to add dimension to your journals. (Including a clever hack for scoring paper when you don’t have a scoring board!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zADhden6UA

Supplies I Used:

To get an artsy themed look, here's exactly what I had on my desk in the video:

The Pockets & Tucks Printable Kit, available as a free download in the members area.
Plain White Cardstock.
Raspberry Cardstock.
Lavender Baker's Twine.
Distress Ink in Vintage Photo.
Rubber Stamp with Handwriting.
White Acrylic Paint.
TCW Stencil: Cosmic Swirl.
The Dyan Reavely Creative Journal.
Fiskar's Paper Trimmer.
Mini Scoring Board.

Download the Free Printable

I've designed a full set of artsy themed pockets and tucks that you can download and print. The kit includes 4 pages of pockets and tuck spots, plus a patterned page to make a folding corner pocket along with me.

Then, I don't want you to leave with empty pockets, so I also included 2 pages of matching tags and fussy cuts!

Join for Free Printables