By Cherry 2026
Call it scrapbooking, junk journaling, travel book, or just journaling, if you’re pouring yourself or your experience into a blank page, these things are a must, and this is coming from a person who does all those hobbies. Scrapbooking is such a fun hobby that isn’t like most, and it’s mainly because you are filling each page for your sake, and there is no reason for you to be better other than for yourself. There is no such thing as a scrapbook competition, and there is no reason for you to make it pretty, cause it’s your book and nobody can say anything about how good or bad it is, since there is no reason for you to improve, but of course if you do want a scrapbook to decorate and feel whimsical in, then you’ve stumbled upon the right blog
1. The Book
I didn’t think the book itself would matter that much when I first started. It’s just a notebook, right? But the book you choose actually affects how you scrapbook, from how much space you have to decorate to how easy it is to carry around. The size, page type, colour, and even the binding can make a surprisingly big difference depending on how you like to journal.
For size, smaller books like A6 or pocket-sized journals are really convenient if you like bringing your scrapbook around with you or doing quick journal pages. They’re easy to carry and don’t feel as intimidating to fill. If you prefer bigger collages, larger photos, or more decorating space, A5 is usually a safer choice. I personally prefer smaller books for everyday use, but if you enjoy decorating more than writing, you might appreciate the extra room that an A5 journal gives you.
The type of paper also depends a lot on your style. Blank pages are my personal favourite for scrapbooking because you have complete freedom to layer, doodle, paste photos, and arrange things however you want. Dotted pages are nice if you still want a little structure without having obvious lines everywhere, while lined pages are better if you enjoy writing more than decorating. Grid paper can also be useful if you like keeping things neat and organised. When I first started, I used lined paper, but after a while I realised that blank pages were much more fun for me because I could doodle and paste things without feeling restricted.
The colour and style of the paper can completely change the mood of your scrapbook too. White paper gives you a cleaner and simpler look, while brown or kraft paper gives your pages more of a vintage or junk-journal feeling. The cover and binding matter as well. Hardcover journals usually feel sturdier and can protect your pages better, while spiral-bound books are easier to flip through and usually feel less precious, which can make it easier to experiment without worrying about ruining the book.
There really isn’t one perfect scrapbook for everyone, so I’d recommend choosing one based on how you actually like to create. Think about whether you want something portable or spacious, whether you write or decorate more, and what kind of aesthetic you want your pages to have. Once you figure that out, choosing the right book becomes a lot easier.
This is a lot of information to take in, so I’ll recommend my favorite blank-page traveling book (ShopeeMY) and my go-to junk journal book I use at home, which is a blank-page notebook (ShopeeMY).
2. Scissors
No matter what, scrapbooking will always be easier with scissors, cause every scrapbook journal needs to cut something, and although most people rip things for those aesthetic vibes, sometimes a clean cut is what people want once in a while. I have a big pair of crafting scissors (ShopeeMY) that I always use at home, but when I’m travelling, I always use tiny travelling scissors (ShopeeMY), and the best part is, it doesn’t get confiscated at the airport
3. Glue Tape (The One Thing I Always Recommend)
If there’s one thing I would tell any beginner to get, it’s glue tape (ShopeeMY).
It just makes everything easier. You don’t have to deal with messy glue, nothing leaks in your bag, and you don’t have to wait for anything to dry. When you’re in the middle of working on a page, that convenience matters more than you think.
I use it for almost everything, like tickets, receipts, random scraps, and even photos. It’s one of those tools you don’t realize you need until you start scrapbooking regularly.
If you’re planning to get one, I’d suggest choosing a durable glue tape that lasts longer and sticks well, so you don’t have to keep replacing it. I’ll link a few good options here so you can see what I mean.
One of the best reasons to start scrapbooking is that scrapbooking does not need expensive supplies or even artisitic talent to start, cause the most important thing is to have a good ammout of the basic tools to start, just so the start of the scrapbook journey can be enjoyable for you. Don’t worry too much, just have fun and experiment till your heart’s content, cause even if you make an ugly one today, you’ll see that nothing has to be perfect, it just has to be there, so we can see ourselves struggle a little bit. ,
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