Junk Journal Book Binding Techniques

If you’re into junk journaling and decide to create your own journal instead of buying a ready-made journal, binding is the step that holds everything together. Binding is what turns loose papers, scraps, and ephemera into an actual journal, allowing you to flip through pages, add bulk, and keep your creations organized in one place.

There are many book binding techniques to create a junk journal from scratch or to repurpose an old book by altering, rebuilding, or re-binding it.

Elastic Band Binding or Traveler’s Notebook Style binding

This is the best book binding for beginners. Elastic binding is a simple, flexible way to bind a junk journal, especially if you want the pages to expand as the journal fills up. The journal shown below uses elastic bands threaded through the spine to hold multiple signatures in place.

This technique is commonly known as the Elastic Band Binding or Traveler’s Notebook Style binding.

It is popular for junk journals because it is completely “no-sew” regarding the pages. You do not need to punch holes in your paper or stitch the signatures together. It also allows you to easily remove, rearrange, or replace pages later.

How to Bind a Junk Journal with Elastic Bands

The Core Concept: Instead of sewing the pages to the spine, you create a “system” of vertical elastic bands inside the cover. Each booklet of paper (signature) is simply slid underneath one of these bands. The tension of the elastic holds the booklet firmly against the spine.

How It Works (Step-by-Step)

🛠 Supplies You’ll Need

• Cardboard/book board for the front, back, and spine
• Fabric to cover the boards (optional)
• Spray adhesive or regular craft glue
• Elastic bands (large rubber bands or elastic hairbands)
• Papers for the inside (assorted sizes — as many as you like)
• Scissors or craft knife
• Ruler and bone folder (or butter knife) for crisp folds

📌 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cut & Prepare the Cover

See step by step instructions on how to create the cover.

2. Prepare the Pages (Signatures)

1. Gather your inside papers (scrapbook paper, lined paper, old book pages, etc.).
2. Fold each sheet in half — this creates a center crease. Use a bone folder or butter knife to press the fold flat.
3. Group the folded pages into sets of 6 or more sheets. These sets are called signatures.
4. Aim for 5–7 signatures total (or more if your journal will be thick).

3. Bind with Elastic Bands

1. Wrap the elastic bands around the spine of your cover:
2. You can use several bands spaced evenly to hold multiple signatures.
3. If bands are too tight, stretch gently so they fit across the spine snugly.
4. Once the bands are in place, slide each signature into the elastic bands:
5. The bands should hold the folded spines of the signatures against the book spine.
6. You can arrange and rearrange pages easily since they aren’t sewn in.
7. Adjust the position of the elastic bands to hold all signatures securely.

✅ Tips & Tricks

• Use elastic hairbands — they’re wide, strong, and come in fun colors.
• This method creates a traveler’s notebook–style binding, so pages can be added, removed, or reorganized later.
• If you want a more finished look, add decorative elements (washi tape, charms, tags) to the cover or bands.
• You can buy a Travellers Notebook and replace the pages instead of binding the journal yourself.

🎨 Why This Method Works

• No sewing or poking holes! There’s no need for needles or awls.
• Elastic bands make the journal flexible and customizable — great for junk journaling or art journaling.
• It’s an accessible approach even for kids or beginners using everyday materials.

Ring Binder or Disc Binding

A Happy Planner can easily be turned into a junk journal by using its disc-bound system as a flexible base for creativity. Start by removing some of the original planner pages to make room for variety and bulk. To add your own pages, you’ll need a Happy Planner–style punch. Once you have it, you can punch almost any paper and make it disc-bound—scrapbook paper, envelopes, wrapping paper, old book pages, magazine pages, vellum, and cardstock (as long as it isn’t too thick).

Layer pages using washi tape, glue, or paper clips, and don’t worry about keeping everything uniform. The discs make it easy to move pages around, remove sections, or add bulkier elements like pockets, tags, and folded inserts without damaging the journal. The result is a personalized junk journal that keeps the structure of a Happy Planner while giving you total creative freedom.

3-Hole Binding (Ring Binder)

A 3-hole binder is one of the easiest ways to create a junk journal because it’s sturdy, affordable, and made to handle bulk. Start by removing any existing paper so you have a blank base. Then add a mix of “junk” pages such as scrapbook paper, envelopes, cardstock, old book pages, magazine clippings, and folded papers. Simply hole-punch your pages and slide them onto the rings.

You can layer items together with glue, washi tape, or staples, and add pockets, tags, and flip-outs without worrying about thickness—the rings expand to hold bulky pages. Pages can be rearranged, removed, or added at any time, making a 3-hole binder a flexible, beginner-friendly option for junk journaling.

2-Hole Binding (Fastener or Ring)

A 2-hole binder can easily be turned into a junk journal using the same flexible approach as other ring-bound systems. Start by removing any existing pages so you’re working with an empty binder. Create your junk journal pages using scrapbook paper, envelopes, old book pages, magazine clippings, cardstock, and folded papers, then punch two holes to fit the binder rings.

Because the pages aren’t sewn in, you can layer papers together with glue or washi tape, add pockets, tags, and flip-outs, and rearrange or remove pages whenever you want. The binder rings make it easy to handle thicker, bulkier pages, making a 2-hole binder a simple and practical option for creating a customizable junk journal.

I personally love this method for junk journaling or art journaling because it’s so easy to do, and I love being able to remove or replace pages whenever I want.

Sewing (3 Hole Pamplet Stitch)

The simplest way to bind a junk journal is using a 3-hole pamphlet stitch.

• Punch Holes: Open the book to the center. Using an awl (or a thick needle), poke three holes through the crease of the spine (through both the pages and the cover): one in the middle, one near the top, and one near the bottom.
• Sew: Thread a needle with embroidery floss or strong thread (waxed thread is best).
  1. Go in through the middle hole (from the inside).
  2. Go out through the top hole (to the outside).
  3. Go in through the bottom hole (from the outside).
  4. Go out through the middle hole again.
• Tie: You should now have two tail ends of thread on the inside. Tie them tightly in a double knot over the long center stitch to secure the binding. Trim the excess thread.