By Giraffe Creative Studio · July 2026
Junk journal ephemera is the collection of small decorative paper pieces — tags, tickets, labels, stamps, botanical prints, illustrations, frames, and text snippets — that crafters layer onto their journal pages to add texture, color, and story. Originally the word "ephemera" meant everyday printed items never meant to be kept (bus tickets, receipts, old letters), and junk journaling grew out of the habit of saving and reusing exactly these things. Today most crafters mix genuine found paper with printable ephemera designed for the purpose. This guide explains what junk journal ephemera is, the main types, where to get it, and how to use it in your own journals.
What is junk journal ephemera?
Ephemera is any small, decorative paper element added to a journal page for visual interest rather than structure. In a junk journal, ephemera is what makes each spread feel layered and personal — the tucked-in tag, the little illustrated bird, the vintage label peeking out of a pocket. It's different from the pages themselves (the backgrounds and base papers); ephemera sits on top of those pages as accents and focal points.
What types of ephemera are used in junk journaling?
Common categories include:
- Tags and labels — for journaling, dates, or decoration; often tucked into pockets.
- Tickets and cards — vintage-style admission tickets, playing cards, and receipts.
- Botanicals — flowers, leaves, mushrooms, and garden illustrations.
- Figures and characters — people, animals, and whimsical illustrated characters.
- Frames and borders — to highlight a photo, quote, or small illustration.
- Postage and stamps — faux stamps and postmarks for a mail-inspired look.
- Text snippets — book pages, definitions, sheet-music strips, and word cutouts.
Because these pieces are small and varied, a single themed set can decorate many pages.
Where do you get junk journal ephemera?
There are two main sources:
- Found or vintage ephemera — real old paper: letters, book pages, packaging, and thrifted items. It has authentic character but is limited, inconsistent, and often fragile.
- Printable / digital ephemera — sheets designed for junk journaling that you print (or that come pre-printed), then cut out. This is the most practical option for most crafters: it's affordable, unlimited, and everything on a sheet is designed to coordinate.
Printable ephemera is where themed, ready-to-cut elements come in. If you want a coordinated set to cut from, browse the Fussy Cuts collection, where each sheet is built around a single aesthetic. Ephemera is also a core part of a cut & collage book, which combines full pages with ready-to-cut elements in one book.
Printable vs. vintage ephemera: which is better?
Neither is strictly better — they suit different goals. Vintage ephemera offers genuine age and one-of-a-kind pieces, but it's scarce and hard to match across a project. Printable ephemera offers unlimited quantity, consistent themes, and the freedom to reprint a favorite element as many times as you like. Many crafters use both: printable sheets for the bulk of their layering, and the occasional real vintage find as a special accent.
How do you use ephemera in a junk journal?
A few reliable techniques:
- Layering — stack several elements slightly overlapping to build depth on a page.
- Focal points — use one larger illustration or frame as the "hero" of a spread.
- Pockets and tucks — slip tags and tickets into pockets so they can be pulled out.
- Clustering — group a few small elements in one corner rather than spreading them evenly.
- Repetition — repeat a color or motif across a spread to tie it together.
For a themed example, see our steampunk junk journal ideas.
How do you cut out ephemera elements?
Most printable ephemera is designed for "fussy cutting" — carefully cutting around each motif so it becomes a standalone piece. You only need small, sharp scissors; a craft knife helps for tight interior details. Cutting neatly around each element is what makes a layered page look intentional rather than busy.
For a step-by-step guide, see how to fussy cut printables by hand.
How do you start using ephemera as a beginner?
Start small: choose one themed set so everything coordinates, cut out a handful of elements, and practice layering them on a single spread before committing glue. Keep a small stash of cut elements ready so you can decorate whenever inspiration strikes. Over time you'll learn which types of ephemera you reach for most and can build your collection around them.
If you're deciding whether junk journaling is even the right craft for you, it helps to understand how it compares to scrapbooking.
Frequently asked questions
What does "ephemera" mean in junk journaling? It refers to the small decorative paper pieces — tags, tickets, labels, illustrations, and similar — layered onto journal pages as accents.
Do I need vintage paper to make a junk journal? No. Printable ephemera designed for junk journaling works just as well and is easier to coordinate, reprint, and source.
What's the easiest ephemera to start with? Themed printable sheets, because every element on the sheet is designed to work together, so beginners get a cohesive look without planning.
How do I cut out ephemera without ruining it? Use small, sharp scissors and turn the paper (not the scissors) as you cut around each motif. A craft knife helps with tiny interior areas.
Is ephemera the same as the pages in a collage book? Not quite — pages are the backgrounds and base papers, while ephemera are the smaller elements you layer on top. Some books, like cut & collage books, include both.
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