Free Printable Junk Journal Layered Embellishments

Add beautiful junk journal embellishments with layered clusters to your junk journal pages.

These free junk journal printable cluster embellishments are a simple way to create decorative elements, tuck spots, pockets, and layered embellishments without having to design everything from scratch.

This free printable set includes 2 pages of vintage-inspired clipart plus 1 page of clipart and ephemera, giving you plenty of pieces to cut, layer, combine, and customize for your junk journals, scrapbook pages, cards, tags, and other paper crafts. Download here.

How to Make Junk Journal Layered Embellishments

Supplies

Make your own Tags, Cards, Frames and Postcards

Cut your Printables in No Time at all

What Are Junk Journal Layered Embellishments?

Junk journal layered clusters are small groups of layered paper elements that are combined to create a decorative focal point. They can be made from scraps of paper, vintage images, labels, tickets, tags, fabric, lace, buttons, and other embellishments.

The beauty of creating clusters is that there are no strict rules. You can combine different pieces to create something completely unique, making them perfect for adding personality and visual interest to your junk journal pages.

With printable cluster embellishments, you can simply print, cut, layer and decorate.

What’s Included in the Free Printable Set

This free junk journal printable set includes 3 printable pages:

2 pages of clipart – featuring decorative images and elements that can be cut out and layered into your projects
1 page of junk journal elements including a junk journal tag, card, frame and postcard ready for you to embellish

The pieces can be used individually or combined to create junk journal layered embellishments.

Add your own personal elements and ephemera such as handwritten notes, stamped images, ink, stitching, lace, washi tape, buttons or other favorite craft supplies to make each piece your own.

Create Your Own Junk Journal Clusters

One of the easiest ways to use the free printables is to create your own junk journal clusters.

Start with one of the tags, cards, frames or postcards as your base. Then choose two or three pieces of clipart to layer over it. You can finish your cluster with scraps of patterned paper, book pages, fabric or other small embellishments.

Try varying the sizes and positioning of your elements rather than lining everything up perfectly. A little overlap and uneven layering can give your clusters that wonderfully relaxed, vintage junk journal look.

You can also add a small piece of lace or ribbon, a vintage-style label, a postage stamp or a handwritten sentiment for even more character.

More Ways to Use the Junk Journal Layered Embellishments

These printable junk journal embellishments aren’t just for clusters. There are lots of different ways you can use the pieces throughout your paper crafting projects.

Decorate Junk Journal Pages
Use individual images or layered clusters to create decorative focal points on your journal pages. They work particularly well in corners, along page edges or beside photographs and journaling.
Make Tuck Spots
Attach a tag, card or postcard to a journal page using glue along one or two edges to create a simple tuck spot. You can then slip tickets, notes, photographs or other ephemera behind it.
Create Journal Cards
The printable card can be embellished with your favorite papers, stamps and handwriting before being tucked into pockets or used as journaling cards.
Decorate Pockets and Envelopes
Add a small cluster to the front of a pocket or envelope to turn a simple paper element into a decorative feature.
Embellish Tags
Layer clipart onto the printable tag, then add ribbon, fibers, eyelets, lace or other embellishments to create a unique handmade tag.
Use the Frame
The printable frame can become a focal point for a photograph, small piece of artwork, vintage image or handwritten sentiment. You can also layer it over other pieces to create depth.

Tips for Creating Beautiful Printable Clusters

Creating layered clusters doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, some of the most effective embellishments are made with just a few carefully chosen elements.

Start with a base. Choose a tag, card, postcard or scrap of paper as your starting point.
Layer different sizes. Combining larger background pieces with smaller images helps create depth.
Don’t make everything symmetrical. Slightly offsetting your elements gives your cluster a more natural, handmade appearance.
Add texture. Once your printed pieces are cut out, try adding lace, fabric, thread, buttons, stitching or other tactile embellishments.
Use ink around the edges. A little distress ink or brown ink can help printed pieces blend beautifully with vintage and aged journal pages.
Keep some white space. You don’t need to cover every part of your base. Leaving small areas visible can make the individual layers easier to see.

Perfect for Beginners and Experienced Crafters

If you’re new to junk journals, printable embellishments are a great place to start. You don’t need a large collection of craft supplies or complicated techniques. Simply print the pages, cut out the pieces and start experimenting with different combinations.

For experienced junk journal makers, the printables can be added to your existing stash of vintage ephemera, scrapbook papers and embellishments to create even more possibilities. And because the pieces can be used in different combinations, one printable set can result in many different finished embellishments.

Download the Free Junk Journal Layered Embellishments

Ready to start creating?

Download the free junk journal printable layered embellishments set from the Junk Journal Printables Library and start experimenting with layers, textures and decorative details.

With 2 pages of clipart and 1 page of tags, cards, a frame and postcard, you’ll have plenty of pieces to cut, embellish and combine into your own unique junk journal decorations.

Whether you’re creating a vintage junk journal, scrapbook, handmade card or another paper crafting project, these free printable embellishments are an easy way to add beautiful detail to your pages.

Download the free set today and start creating your own junk journal clusters!

Step-by-Step Instructions for making the Junk Journal Layered Embellishments

Print out the pages for the free printable junk journal layered embellishments onto sheets of cardstock. I’ve printed the clipart and ephemera onto 65lb cardstock which is a medium weight and I’ve printed the card, tag, frame and postcard onto 110lb cardstock which is thicker and sturdier.

After you’ve printed the pages cut out the pieces. There are quite a few pieces so cutting them out using scissors can take a while, but if you’ve got a cutting machine, then you can have everything cut out in minutes.

There’s no right or wrong way to make the embellishments. Start by selecting a base such as a card, tag, frame or postcard. Then select a few pieces of clipart and ephemera and lay them out in different ways until you’re happy with the way it looks. You can apply some distress ink to the edges of the pieces and this will help to make the clipart stand out from the background. Then use some liquid glue or a gluestick and glue the pieces in place.

You can further embellish by adding some ribbon and stitches to the pieces.

As well as embellishing the cards and tags, postcards and frames, you can also create individual cluster embellishments by layering several pieces one on top of the other. You can use these little clusters by glueing them onto your journal pages as embellishments, or you can use them to create easy hidden paper clip embellishments.

To make a hidden paper clip embellishment cut a piece of cardstock about 1″ wide and 3″ long and then fold it in half. Then place the paperclip over the folded edge. To hide the top of the paper clip, fold a piece of ephemera in half and glue it on over the top. To finish, glue a cluster embellishments on one side of the paper clip, and another one on the other side.

More Junk Journal Printables

If you enjoy creating with printable ephemera and embellishments, be sure to explore the other junk journal printables here in the online store. You’ll find printable papers, templates, ephemera and other supplies designed to make creating beautiful handmade journals easier and more enjoyable.

Combine the free junk journal layered embellishments with your favorite printable papers and junk journal templates to create pages filled with layers, texture and vintage-inspired details.

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Make Quick and EAsy Junk Journal Cluster Embellishments