Learn how fun and easy it is to make a printable mini junk journal from a full size printable junk journal kit.
There’s something so appealing about small things, and mini junk journals are no exception.
While it’s fun and creative to make full size junk journals from printables and other types of papers and ephemera, they can take quite a while to complete.
Printable mini journals on the other hand, are much quicker to assemble. They are the perfect afternoon or evening project.
How to Make a Printable Mini Junk Journal from a Full Size Printable Junk Journal Kit
You can of course purchase printable mini junk journals that are already sized and ready to print and assemble. But if you already have a full size printable junk journal kit on hand, you can easily print it out in a smaller size.
Supplies
- printable junk journal kit
- copy paper 24lb or similar weight
- white cardstock 110lb or similar weight
- hand embroidery needle and embroidery thread
- black sharpie or felt tipped marker
- gluestick or tape runner
- bookbinding awl or large embroidery needle
- distress ink pad and applicator
- creasing tool and bone folder
Print the Pages
To get started you first need a standard size printable junk journal kit. These kits are normally sized at either 8.5″ x 11″ or 7″ x 10″. However other similar sizes will work as well.
The printable file should be in pdf format, but if your printables are in individual files such as jpg or png, you can easily compile them into a pdf document using a free online compiler such as jpg2pdf.com.
Simply upload your image files then press the “Combined” button to download.
Open the file in a pdf reader such as Adober Reader. Click the print icon and in the printer settings you’ll see an option to print multiple pdf pages on one piece of copy paper.
The wording may be different depending on what type of software you’re using however you should still have the option to print multiple pages.
You can select from a number of different presets such as 2, 4 or even 6 pages.
If printing four per page, the mini journal size will be approximately 2-1/2″ wide by 3-3/4″ high.
If printing 6 per page, the size will be approximately 1-3/4″ wide by 3″ high.
Print the junk journal pages onto good quality copy paper. I like to use 24lb copy paper or similar weight, which is slightly thicker than standard copy paper.
Then print the elements onto a piece of cardstock which is more durable than copy paper so when handling, the small pieces won’t tear. Once all the pages are printed, cut out all the pieces.
Assemble the Pages
To make the pages for the printable mini junk journal, glue the pages back to back using a gluestick or tape runner.
Fold the pages in half and press a crease down the center.
If there are any white edges showing, trim them with a pair of scissors, or wipe the edges with an ink pad.
Assemble the pages into signatures. I’m using two folded pages per signature to make 3 signatures.
Make the Cover
Stack the signatures together and measure across the width.
Then cut a piece of cardstock or manila folder about 1/8″ inch larger than the pages along the top, bottom and outer edge, plus the width of the signatures. This will be the cover.
My page size is 2-1/2″ by 3-3/4″, so I’ve cut a piece of manila folder 5-3/8″ wide by 4″ high.
Using a creasing tool, make two folds down the center the width of the signatures to create a spine.
Cut two of the printable mini junk journal pages in half so you have four single pages, and trim to size if necessary. These will be glued to the front and the inside covers.
You can wipe the edges of the cardstock with an ink pad to stain them.
Glue the pages to the inside and outside of the front and back covers.
Sew the Signatures
The signatures are sewn into the spine using a 3 hole pamphlet stitch. On the inside spine section of the cover, mark three rows of 3 dots evenly spaced along the length.
Align each of the signatures along the marked spine section and transfer the marks to the folded edge.
Using a bookbinding awl, punch holes through each of the marks on the cover and the signatures
Cut a length of embroidery thread or bookbinding thread about twice the length of the page and thread it through an embroidery needle.
With the first signature positioned inside the cover, and starting with the middle hole, push the needle through the signature and through the center hole in the cover.
Leave a 3 to 4 in tail of thread inside the signature. This will be used to tie off the thread once the signature is sewn in.
Push the needle through the next hole on the cover back to the inside and through the signature.
Then back to the outside through the middle hole. Then back to the inside through the last hole. Make sure the thread is taut, then tie the thread off in a secure knot and trim away the excess.
Sew the remaining signatures into the cover in the same way.
Finish the Printable Mini Junk Journal
To finish the cover you can conceal the stitching on the spine if you want to by gluing a piece of lace or ribbon along the length.
After the journal is completed you can then add the pockets and other elements to the pages.
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