A Guide to Journaling Supplies: Papers, Ephemera, Stickers & More
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If you are new to journaling, scrapbooking, or creative collage, the variety of supplies can feel a little confusing at first.
What is the difference between collage paper and ephemera? Are sticky notes the same as stickers? What belongs in a journaling kit?
At JournalKeeps, we organize our journaling supplies by how they are actually used. This guide explains each category so you can find the right materials for your next journal page.
Collage Papers
Collage papers are decorative papers designed for layering, tearing, cutting, and building backgrounds or focal areas in a journal.
They are one of the most versatile materials in creative journaling.
Collage papers may include:
- Vintage book-page designs
- Botanical and floral prints
- Patterned papers
- Grid and ledger papers
- Translucent papers
- Antique letter designs
- Landscape and illustrated papers
- Small-format scrapbook papers
- Material paper books and paper pads
Some collage papers can cover most of a journal page, while others are designed to be torn into smaller pieces and layered together.
That is why we use Collage Papers as a broad category rather than separating every paper by size.
Best for:
Junk journals, scrapbook pages, layered backgrounds, paper collage and mixed-media projects.
Ephemera Packs
Ephemera packs contain individual decorative elements rather than simply sheets of paper.
These pieces are usually designed to become distinct visual elements within a journal page.
An ephemera pack may contain:
- Die-cut pieces
- Labels
- Tags
- Tickets
- Postcards
- Vintage letters
- Stamps
- Mini cards
- Botanical cutouts
- Decorative paper pieces
Some packs focus on one type of ephemera, while others contain several different types.
For example, a botanical ephemera pack might combine flower die cuts, specimen labels, vintage tickets and small cards.
Collage Papers vs. Ephemera Packs
The easiest way to remember the difference is:
Collage Papers are papers you build with. Ephemera are individual elements you decorate with.
A rectangular sheet printed with vintage ticket designs is still collage paper.
A separately cut vintage ticket is ephemera.
Best for:
Adding focal points, details, storytelling elements and layered decoration to journal pages.
Sticky Notes
Sticky notes are paper elements with an adhesive backing that can be placed directly onto a journal page.
At JournalKeeps, this category includes both functional sticky notes and decorative self-adhesive paper.
They may feature:
- Vintage patterns
- Botanical illustrations
- Transparent designs
- Writing areas
- Decorative textures
- Small collage-style graphics
Unlike regular collage paper, sticky notes do not normally require separate glue or adhesive.
Best for:
Quick layering, page decoration, annotations, temporary notes and easy collage.
A simple way to distinguish them from collage papers:
No adhesive → Collage Papers
Adhesive backing → Sticky Notes
Memo Pads
Memo pads are primarily designed for writing, planning and recording information.
While they can still be beautiful and decorative, their main purpose is functional rather than purely decorative.
Common memo pad layouts include:
- To-do lists
- Daily plans
- Weekly plans
- Checklists
- Notes
- Schedules
- Habit tracking
- Daily reflections
This makes memo pads different from sticky notes.
A sticky note is defined mainly by its adhesive backing.
A memo pad is defined mainly by its writing function.
Best for:
Planning, organization, journaling prompts, lists and everyday notes.
Stickers
Stickers are one of the easiest ways to add illustrations and detail to a journal.
Unlike sticky notes, stickers are generally designed primarily as decorative elements rather than writing surfaces.
They may include:
- Botanical stickers
- Vintage illustrations
- Animals
- Letters and typography
- Frames
- Labels
- Decorative objects
- Transparent PET stickers
Stickers work especially well when combined with collage papers and ephemera.
For example:
Collage Paper → background
Ephemera → layered elements
Sticker → finishing detail
Washi Tape
Washi tape is a lightweight decorative paper tape commonly used in journaling and paper crafts.
It is easy to tear by hand and is useful for:
- Creating borders
- Attaching small paper pieces
- Adding decorative strips
- Layering patterns
- Framing photos or journal entries
Because of its softer paper texture, washi tape often blends naturally into vintage and handmade journal pages.
PET Tape
PET tape is a transparent decorative tape made from PET film rather than traditional paper.
Compared with washi tape, PET tape usually provides:
- Sharper printed details
- More vivid colors
- Transparent backgrounds
- Detailed botanical or illustrated designs
- A cleaner layered appearance
Many PET tapes contain repeating illustrations that can be cut into individual decorative elements.
Washi Tape vs. PET Tape
Washi Tape: softer, paper-like and easy to tear
PET Tape: transparent, detailed and more illustration-focused
Both can be used alone or layered with collage papers and ephemera.
Notebooks
Notebooks are the foundation where your journaling ideas come together.
Depending on the style, a notebook can be used for:
- Daily journaling
- Memory keeping
- Travel journals
- Art journals
- Scrapbooking
- Junk journaling
- Creative writing
Unlike loose papers and ephemera, notebooks provide the pages and structure for the finished journal itself.
Journaling Kits
Journaling kits bring several types of supplies together into one coordinated collection.
A kit may include:
- Collage papers
- Ephemera
- Stickers
- Memo paper
- Postcards
- Tags
- Bookmarks
- Clips
- Decorative tape
- String or other accessories
The exact contents vary from kit to kit.
Their biggest advantage is that the colors, illustrations and themes are already designed to work together.
Best for:
Beginners, gifts, themed journals and anyone who wants a ready-to-create collection without choosing every element separately.
How the Categories Work Together
You do not need to choose only one type of journaling supply.
Many journal pages combine several materials:
Collage Papers create the base.
Ephemera Packs add objects and storytelling details.
Sticky Notes add quick adhesive layers.
Stickers add illustrations and finishing touches.
Washi or PET Tape creates borders and additional texture.
Memo Pads add functional writing areas.
And if you want everything coordinated from the beginning, a Journaling Kit brings many of these elements together.
Find Your Journaling Style
There is no single correct way to build a journal page.
Some journalers prefer layered vintage papers. Others collect tickets, labels and botanical ephemera. Some prefer clean layouts with memo pads and simple stickers.
The best supplies are the ones that make you want to keep creating.
Explore different textures, layer materials together and gradually build a journal that feels personal to you.
Keep the moments. Keep the details. Keep your story.
— JournalKeeps