Junk Journal Glossary: Junk Journal Terms Every Beginner Should Know

Confused by all the junk journal terms flying around? This glossary breaks down the most common junk journal terminology so you can feel confident and creative — not overwhelmed.

✂️ Junk Journaling Glossary

So you’ve discovered the world of junk journaling — and you’re hooked. You’ve watched YouTube flip-throughs, browsed Pinterest boards, maybe even downloaded a printable or two. But there’s just one problem…

Everyone’s using words you don’t recognize. “Masterboard.” “Pamphlet stitch.” “Fussy cutting?” 😅

Suddenly it feels like you’re learning a whole new language — and no one handed you the dictionary.

I created this post for you. The curious crafter, the quiet beginner, the person who wants to jump in but feels stuck trying to decode the lingo. This alphabetical glossary is your go-to guide for understanding the tools, terms, and treasures that make up the world of junk journaling — without pressure or perfection.

A

A4 Paper

A European paper size (8.27 × 11.69 inches) that’s slightly taller and narrower than US Letter. If you’re using international printables, this is the format you’ll often see.

Accordion Journal (Also called: Accordion Fold, Fan Fold)

A journal made from one long sheet of paper folded back and forth like an accordion. It’s perfect for creating interactive layouts, timelines, or panoramic spreads.

👉 See how to make an accordion journal here

Altered Book

A pre-existing book that’s been creatively transformed into a junk journal. You can collage over the pages, tear some out, or leave the text peeking through — it’s all part of the charm.

Altered Paperclip

A standard paperclip that’s been decorated with fabric, lace, ephemera, or charms to create a clip-in embellishment. It’s a fun way to add flair without glue.

👉 Try this altered paperclip tutorial

Appliqué

A decorative detail (usually fabric or lace) that’s sewn or glued onto a surface. Great for adding texture and softness to your journal pages or covers.

ASMR

Short for “Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response” — often used to describe calming junk journal videos with soothing sounds like page flipping, paper crinkles, or gentle tapping.

👉 Watch a junk journal ASMR flip-through on YouTube

ATC Cards (Artist Trading Cards)

Tiny works of art that are 2.5 x 3.5 inches in size — like mini collages or mixed media snapshots. Originally meant for trading, they’re now often tucked into pockets or used as journal elements

B

B6 / A5 / Personal Size

These are common insert sizes used in traveler’s notebooks and printable journals. Each refers to a specific page dimension — B6 is compact, A5 is mid-sized, and Personal is slim and tall.

Belly Band

A horizontal or vertical strip of paper or fabric that’s attached only at the ends, so you can slide journaling cards or tags underneath. It’s a simple way to add layered, movable elements to a page.

👉 Learn how to make belly bands here

Binding

The method used to hold your journal pages together — it might be stitched, stapled, spiral-bound, or ring-bound. Popular binding techniques in junk journaling include the pamphlet stitch and hidden spine.

Bling

A playful term for anything sparkly — rhinestones, sequins, glitter glue, or shiny stickers. Add a touch of “bling” when you want your pages to feel extra fun or festive.

Boho

Short for “bohemian,” this style features vibrant colors, layered patterns, and a free-spirited feel. Often seen in junk journals that use sari fabric, ethnic prints, and eclectic embellishments.

👉 See more in my Junk Journal Styles guide

Bone Folder

A hard, smooth tool used to create sharp folds and creases without tearing the paper. It makes your projects look crisp and polished.

👉 Here’s my favorite bone folder

Bookbinding Kit

A set of basic tools used to bind journals — typically includes needles, waxed thread, an awl, and sometimes a bone folder or clips. Great for stitching signatures into your junk journal covers.

Bookplate (Label Holder)

A decorative frame or label that’s often placed on the cover or inside front page of a journal. It’s the perfect spot for your journal’s title, date, or theme.

Brads (Fasteners)

Small metal fasteners with fold-out prongs that can hold paper elements in place while allowing them to swivel or move. Great for adding interactive elements like spinning tags or hidden flips.

Bulb Pins

Curved safety pins shaped like a lightbulb — often used to attach charms, dangles, fabric, or tags to journal pages or spines. Small but mighty for adding detail!

C

Cardstock

A heavier-weight paper that’s thicker than printer paper but not as stiff as chipboard. Ideal for making tags, journal cards, pockets, and covers — adds structure without bulk.

Charms

Tiny decorative trinkets (often metal) that can be added to journal spines, bulb pins, or paperclips. They add a touch of personality and movement to your project.

Chipboard

A thick, sturdy material used for covers, backing, or die cuts. It’s often recycled paperboard and gives your journals extra durability and dimension.

Closure (Journal Closure)

A way to keep your journal closed — like ribbon ties, buttons, elastic bands, or hidden magnets. They can be purely functional or become a beautiful design element.

👉 Learn how to make different journal closures here

Clusters

Little layered embellishments made by stacking bits of fabric, paper scraps, lace, and buttons. They’re great for decorating pages, tucks, or tags — and no two are ever the same.

👉 Try this tutorial to make your own clusters

Collage

The art of layering papers, images, text, and textures into a visually pleasing composition. It’s one of the most joyful and freeing parts of junk journaling — no perfection required!

Collage Fodder

Any bits and scraps you collect or create to use in future collage projects. Think torn book pages, painted paper, vintage tickets, labels, or printable snippets.

Collage Masterboard

A full-page collage made from scraps and ephemera, often created as a background or base. You can cut it up into tags, journaling cards, or embellishments.

👉 Watch how to make a collage masterboard here

Corner Cutter (Corner Rounder)

A tool used to round off sharp corners on paper or cardstock for a softer, polished finish.

👉 Here’s my favorite corner cutter

Cover (Journal Cover)

The outer layer that protects and frames your junk journal — it can be made from fabric, paper, chipboard, or even a cereal box! Covers can be soft, hard, stitched, or tied.

👉 See how to create a junk journal cover here

Crop-a-Dile (Eyelet Setter)

A handheld tool that punches holes and sets eyelets or snaps — perfect for adding hardware to tags, covers, or closures.

👉 This is the Crop-a-Dile I personally recommend

D

Dangle

A hanging embellishment often made from charms, beads, lace, or fabric. Dangles are typically attached to bulb pins, paperclips, or journal spines to add movement and texture.

Decoupage

A technique where you glue thin paper (like napkins, tissue, or printed images) onto a surface, often layering with Mod Podge or glue. It’s a beautiful way to create soft, blended backgrounds.

Die Cuts

Pre-cut shapes or images made from cardstock, book pages, or other materials. You can buy them pre-made or use a die-cutting machine to create your own.

Digitals (Also called: Printables)

Digital files (usually in PDF or JPEG format) that you download and print at home. Common types include kits, tags, backgrounds, and ephemera.

👉 You can explore my printable kits here

Doodle (Also called: Doodling)

Simple hand-drawn illustrations, shapes, or patterns added to your journal pages for a whimsical, personal touch. No art degree required!

Distress Ink

A specialty ink used to give paper an aged, vintage, or grungy look. You can use it on edges, backgrounds, or stamps — it’s a junk journaling essential.

👉 Browse my favorite Distress Inks here

E

Embellishments

Decorative elements that add texture, charm, or personality to your journal — like lace, buttons, fabric scraps, pearls, sequins, and more. These little touches can turn a simple page into something magical.

👉 Browse embellishment projects and tutorials here

Ephemera

Paper bits collected for use in your journals — vintage receipts, postcards, tickets, labels, or even modern scraps like business cards or wrappers. Anything with a story can become ephemera.

Expandable Pocket

A pocket design that grows with what you tuck into it — often accordion-style or gusseted. Perfect for storing bulky tags, mini booklets, or lots of journaling cards.

F

Faux Postage

Tiny decorative stamps made with paper scraps, digitals, or rubber stamps. They mimic real postage and are often used in collage or mail-themed spreads.

File Folder Journal

A junk journal made using a standard file folder as the base. It can be folded, stitched, or layered to create a journal structure full of tucks, flaps, and surprises.

Flip (Also called: Flip Outs, Flip Ups, Flip Downs)

Interactive elements that open to reveal hidden journaling space or decorative layers. They add movement and depth to a journal page — and a little bit of magic.

Flip Through

A video or in-person look at a completed junk journal where each page is shown and often explained. Great for gathering ideas and seeing how others use space, texture, and themes.

👉 Watch flip-throughs on my YouTube playlist here

Floating Pocket

A pocket that isn’t glued down — it can be clipped or tucked in so you can move it around. A lovely option if you’re not ready to commit to a layout!

Folio

A folded structure filled with pockets, flaps, and interactive features. Folios can be standalone projects or include stitched-in journals.

Found Poetry

A poetic technique where you cut or highlight words from old book pages, magazines, or printables to create new phrases. It’s a beautiful, reflective journaling prompt.

Freebies

Free printable kits, tags, and tutorials you can access as a subscriber to the Crafter Journal newsletter. They’re my way of saying thank you and giving you something cozy to create with.

👉 Sign up for freebies here

Fussy Cuts / Fussy Cutting

Decorative images (like florals, stamps, or butterflies) cut out with scissors to use in collage or embellishment. Fussy cutting can be meditative — and wildly satisfying.

G

Gatefold

A journal or folio format where the cover or pages open inward from both sides like double doors. It’s elegant, symmetrical, and perfect for showcasing themed spreads.

Gelli Print

A mono-printing technique using a flexible gel plate, paint or ink, and layered textures like stencils or fabric. The result? Beautiful, unpredictable background papers for collage or pages.

Gesso

A primer (usually white) used to prep surfaces for mixed media. It can tone down busy paper, add a chalky texture, or make your pages ready for painting, drawing, or stamping.

Glue Book (Also called: Smash Book)

A no-pressure journal where you simply glue things down that make you happy — receipts, magazine clippings, tags, washi, or whatever’s on your desk. It’s pure play with paper.

Grunge / Grungy

A style that leans into raw texture, dark tones, torn edges, and imperfect layering. Think moody, messy, and deeply expressive.

👉 Learn more in my Junk Journal Styles Guide

Grommet

A small metal ring used to reinforce punched holes, especially in tags, covers, or dangles. It’s both decorative and functional — and can be set with a Crop-a-Dile.

H

Happy Mail (Also called: RAKs / Random Acts of Kindness)

A joyful package of handmade goodies, printables, or crafty surprises sent to a fellow journaler. Often includes tags, ephemera, tea bags, and a handwritten note — a beautiful way to build community.

Hidden Paperclip

A paperclip that’s disguised inside a decorated cluster or folded element so it blends in with your page. It adds function and flair – and can hold tucks or tags in place.

👉 Try this hidden paperclip tutorial

Hidden Spine

A binding technique where the stitching is concealed inside the cover, creating a clean, uninterrupted spine. Great for journalers who love a polished, book-like finish.

Hinge Clip (Also called: Bulldog Clip)

A strong metal clip used to hold pages together or attach removable elements like floating pockets or tags. It adds a touch of industrial charm and is great for chunky journals.

I

Inchies

Tiny square art pieces, usually 1×1 inch in size, created as mini collages or embellishments. They’re great for layering, clusters, or filling in little blank spaces with charm.

Insert

An additional element (like a journaling card, photo mat, or mini booklet) that’s tucked into a pocket or clipped onto a page. Inserts can be decorative, functional, or both!

Interactive Elements

Any part of your journal or folio that invites movement, like flips, pockets, tuck spots, tip-ins, fold-outs, or hidden journaling spaces. These elements make your pages come alive.

👉 Browse interactive project ideas and tutorials here

J

JPEG File

A common image file format used for printable graphics, digital ephemera, and design elements. Most printable junk journal kits include JPEGs for easy printing and layering.

Journal Cards

Small decorative cards used for writing notes, quotes, or reflections. They’re usually tucked into pockets or clipped onto pages and come in a wide range of themes and sizes.

Journaling Spot

A designated area in your journal — like a tag, card, or decorated box — where you can write something meaningful. Perfect for gratitude notes, thoughts, or daily reflections.

Junk

In the junk journaling world, “junk” means everyday paper items that are too good to throw away — like envelopes, packaging, ticket stubs, or book pages. It’s about reimagining what’s around you.

Junk Journal

A handmade book created using a mix of found, recycled, and printable materials — designed for creativity, self-expression, and memory keeping.

K

Kiss Cutting

A cutting technique where only the top layer of sticker paper is cut, not the backing — perfect for making DIY sticker sheets with fussy cuts or digitals.

L

Lapbook Journal

A fold-out, interactive journal with multiple panels, flaps, and layers. Originally used for homeschooling, lapbooks are now popular for creating immersive, themed junk journal experiences.

Ledger Paper

Ruled paper with accounting-style columns, often vintage and lightly aged. It’s a favorite background for journaling spots or collage work with an old-world charm.

Letter Size Paper

Standard U.S. paper size (8.5 x 11 inches). Most printable kits are formatted for letter size, though you can usually scale them down when printing.

M

Mixed Media

An artistic style that combines different materials — like paint, gesso, ink, fabric, and paper — to create rich, layered effects in your journal pages.

N

Nostalgia

A powerful feeling that often fuels junk journaling — drawing from vintage imagery, family memories, childhood themes, or keepsakes that tell a story.

P

Pamphlet Stitch

A simple and popular method for binding pages into a journal cover using three holes and a length of thread. It’s beginner-friendly and sturdy — perfect for single-signature journals.

Paper Scraps

Leftover bits of paper from past projects — think torn book pages, trim ends of printables, or cut-up envelopes. Paper scraps are gold in junk journaling and often become the base for clusters, tags, or collage.

PDF File

A file format commonly used for printable kits, project instructions, or tutorials. PDFs preserve layout and design and are easy to print from any device.

Printable Kit

A themed bundle of coordinated digital elements — like backgrounds, tags, and ephemera — designed to print and use in your projects. Many journalers use printable kits as the foundation for their builds.

👉 Browse printable kits in my Etsy shop

Printables (Also called: Digitals)

Digital designs or kits you print at home — from tags and pockets to full-page journal backgrounds. Printables offer endless variety and convenience.

👉 Shop printables in my Etsy store

Pockets

Small glued-down sections on a journal page or inside a folio that hold tags, cards, or ephemera. Pockets can be flat, layered, or expanding.

👉 Explore pocket designs and printables here

R

Rolodex Book

A rotating card file system originally used for contacts, now repurposed by journalers to hold mini collages, tags, or inspiration cards. It’s a fun, interactive format that brings a vintage office twist to creativity.

Ruffles

Paper or fabric strips that are folded, pleated, or gathered to add texture and movement to your pages. Ruffles are lovely on the edges of journal pages, tags, or even spines.

Reinforcements

Sticky paper rings added around punched holes to strengthen them — often used on tags or inserts. You can buy them plain or decorate them yourself for a custom look.

S

Scrapbook Trimmer

A cutting tool with a built-in ruler that helps you cut straight lines in paper, cardstock, or printable elements. Super helpful for getting crisp, clean edges with ease.

Shabby Chic

A romantic, vintage-inspired aesthetic that features soft florals, lace, distressed textures, and pastel tones. It’s one of the most beloved styles in junk journaling.

👉 Learn more in my Junk Journal Styles Guide

Signature

A group of folded pages sewn into the spine of a junk journal. One journal might contain one signature or several.

👉 Learn how to stitch your first signature here

Snippets (Also called: Snippet Roll)

Long decorative strips made by layering tiny scraps of fabric, lace, and paper. They can be used as embellishments or cut down into smaller clusters.

Spine

The part of the journal that holds your signatures and supports the overall structure — it can be soft or rigid, wide or narrow, hidden or exposed. Often decorated with dangles or charms.

Specimen Cards

Miniature faux display cards inspired by vintage scientific slides — usually featuring butterflies, leaves, or tiny details framed under vellum or acetate.

👉 Make your own specimen cards with this tutorial

Steampunk

A style that blends Victorian fashion and industrial elements — think gears, clocks, rust tones, and mechanical fantasy. Popular for layered journals with moody depth.

👉 Explore more in my Junk Journal Styles Guide

T

Tabs

Small paper or fabric pieces added to the edge of pages or tags to make them easier to find, flip, or decorate. They can be labeled, stitched, or purely decorative.

Tag Toppers

Decorative additions glued or sewn to the top of a tag — like lace, ribbon, fabric, or paper scraps. They add texture and make your tags extra special.

Tags / Loaded Tags

Tags are versatile journaling or decorative pieces — often rectangular with a hole at the top — used to write, layer, or tuck into pockets. Loaded tags are decorated tags with added embellishments, small tuck spots, or even mini tags attached to them!

Theme Page

A journal spread built around a single idea, mood, or concept — like “Spring Garden,” “Gratitude,” or “Old Letters.” They help create visual unity and storytelling in your journals.

Tip-Ins

A separate element (like a page, flap, or card) that’s washi-taped or hinged into your journal after the binding is done. They flip open and add more journaling space or design depth.

Trash Book

A playful name for a journal made from literal junk — think junk mail, scrap envelopes, cardboard, packaging, and more. It’s a celebration of creativity with zero pressure.

Traveler’s Notebook (TN)

A slim, tall insert-style journal designed to fit inside TN covers. It’s great for portability, travel journaling, or daily lists — and it’s easy to swap in new inserts.

Tuck Spots (Also called: Tucks)

A small area (like a corner or layered scrap) that’s glued only on one or two sides so you can slide tags or cards behind it. They’re simple, fun, and endlessly customizable.

Twinchies

Tiny square collages that are 2×2 inches in size — similar to inchies, but slightly larger. They’re great for embellishments or creating a coordinated series of mini artworks.

V

Vintage

A style that celebrates the charm of the past — using aged papers, antique ephemera, lace, muted tones, and timeworn textures. Think old postcards, tea-stained pages, and handwritten letters.

👉 Read more in my Junk Journal Styles Guide

W

Washi Tape

Decorative, repositionable tape made from rice paper. It’s great for attaching tip-ins, adding color to a spread, or layering without bulk. Comes in endless patterns and widths.

Wax Seals

A melted wax embellishment often stamped with a design (like a flower or monogram). Adds an old-world, luxurious touch to envelopes, tags, or spine ties.

Waxed Thread

Thread coated in wax, used for sewing signatures into journals. It glides easily through paper, resists fraying, and holds knots securely — a must-have for bookbinding.

Writing Boards

A hard surface placed behind your page to create a smooth, sturdy area for journaling — especially useful in chunky journals. You can make your own or use a repurposed clipboard.

Z

ZIP File

A compressed folder that contains multiple files — like a complete printable kit with tags, pages, and ephemera. After downloading, you’ll need to unzip the folder to access your files.

✂️ Want to Create Your Own Junk Journal?

If this glossary has you feeling inspired, I’ve got something special for you: a free Junk Journal Beginner Guide that walks you through your first journal step-by-step — no stress, no fancy tools needed.

You’ll also get a free printable kit to help you start creating right away. It’s easy, joyful, and absolutely beginner-friendly.

👉 Grab your free guide and printable kit here

📚 Next Steps

Don’t Worry — You Don’t Have to Learn It All at Once

Phew — that was a lot, right? If your head’s spinning with all these wonderful new terms, take a deep breath and know this:

You don’t have to memorize everything.
You don’t have to know all the lingo to be a “real” junk journaler.
And you can always return to this article!

Feel free to bookmark or pin this post so you can come back anytime you need a refresher or a little inspiration.

🧵 More Helpful Resources:

Keep building your knowledge and confidence with these helpful posts:

• What Is a Junk Journal?
• What Is the Purpose of a Junk Journal?
• Junk Journal Styles: 21 Aesthetic Themes to Spark Your Creativity
• Types of Junk Journals and Folios (Explained for Beginners)

Whether you’re just starting or have made a few pages already, you’re in the right place — and I’m so glad you’re here. 💛

Happy crafting,
Cyna xx