Junk Journaling
About Junk Journaling
Junk journaling is a creative practice that uses found papers, ephemera, fabric scraps, and other everyday materials to design and fill personalized journals. It blends scrapbooking, altered art, and memory keeping, often emphasizing tactile texture, storytelling, and repurposing discarded items.
Trend Decomposition
Trigger: Growing interest in tactile, hands on crafts and personalized storytelling fuels the resurgence of junk journaling.
Behavior change: People are curating mixed media pages, trading ephemera, and sharing process videos and tutorials online to build and embellish journals.
Enabler: Accessible craft supplies, online communities, cheap or free ephemera sources, and platforms for sharing tutorials lower barriers to entry.
Constraint removed: Reduced perception of high cost and specialized skill; newcomers can start with simple materials and incremental techniques.
PESTLE Analysis
Political: None notable affecting the practice on a broad scale.
Economic: Lower cost, repurposed materials appeal to cost conscious crafters and consumers seeking personalized value.
Social: Growing desire for personalized, meaningful hobbies and slow living aesthetics drives participation and community sharing.
Technological: Social media platforms and video tutorials enable rapid idea diffusion and inspiration sharing.
Legal: Copyright and licensing considerations for using branded ephemera or images in publicly shared journals.
Environmental: Emphasis on upcycling and reusing materials aligns with sustainable crafting practices.
Jobs to be done framework
What problem does this trend help solve?
Provides a creative outlet for memory keeping and self expression using affordable materials.What workaround existed before?
People used traditional scrapbooks or generic notebooks with limited personalization and reuse.What outcome matters most?
Personal meaning and tactile satisfaction, with flexibility in layout and materials.Consumer Trend canvas
Basic Need: A tangible, personalized space for memories and creativity.
Drivers of Change: Access to inexpensive supplies, online communities, and desire for mindful, hands on activities.
Emerging Consumer Needs: Quick start kits, guided tutorials, and adaptable formats for different skill levels.
New Consumer Expectations: Personalization at low cost, social sharing, and evidence of process and progress.
Inspirations / Signals: Viral video tutorials, planner and journaling communities, and hashtag campaigns.
Innovations Emerging: Modular embellishment kits, printable ephemera, and digital to physical hybrid workflows.
Companies to watch
- Tim Holtz - Leading brand in distress inks and mixed media supplies used in junk journaling.
- Graphic 45 - Designer paper collections and embellishments popular in junk journaling projects.
- Ranger Ink - Supply brand offering inks, mediums, and tools widely used in junk journaling crafts.
- Michaels - Big box retailer providing a wide range of scrapbooking and journaling supplies.
- Joann - Arts and crafts retailer offering papers, stickers, and ephemera for junk journaling.
- Hobby Lobby - Retailer with extensive scrapbooking and journaling materials suitable for junk journaling.