Journaling & Stationery
Explore journaling supplies for beginners and everyday use, including journals, stationery sets, washi tape, stickers, and pencil cases.
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Beginners
FAQ
A notebook and a pen are enough to start. If you enjoy decorating or organizing pages, add a highlighter, a small roll of washi tape, a few stickers, and a pencil case only as you find a real use for them. Beginners usually get more value from a journal they enjoy writing in than from buying a large stationery kit all at once.
Choose the page style that matches how you naturally write. Lined journals work well for longer entries, dotted pages give flexible guides for bullet journaling and layouts, grid paper helps with structured notes, and blank pages suit drawing, collage, and free-form journaling. A5 is a practical middle size for many people because it offers useful writing space without being too bulky.
Think about the tools you use most. Smooth paper can feel better with fine pens and fountain pens, while thicker paper may reduce show-through when you layer ink or use wetter tools. Marker performance varies widely, so test unfamiliar pens on a back page before committing to a spread, especially with alcohol-based markers that can bleed through many notebook papers.
Ghosting is when writing or color can be seen faintly from the other side of the page without the ink actually passing through. Bleed-through happens when ink penetrates the paper and marks the reverse side. If you write on both sides of each page, both are worth considering when choosing a journal.
Yes, when it has a purpose in your layout. Washi tape can create tabs, borders, section dividers, labels, and decorative layers, and many types can be repositioned more easily than permanent stickers. You do not need a large collection; a few versatile widths and patterns are usually easier to use consistently.
They can be good value for beginners or gifts when most of the included items match the person's journaling style. A large set is less useful if it is padded with decorative pieces, duplicate pens, or accessories you will not use. Compare the notebook, writing tools, and core supplies first rather than judging a kit by item count alone.
Match the case to the number and type of tools you actually carry. A compact pouch works for a few pens and highlighters, while divided cases and elastic loops are useful when you want markers, fineliners, rulers, and small accessories to stay organized. Check capacity, zipper access, portability, and whether the case becomes bulky when full.
No. The basic bullet journaling method can be used with a notebook and a pen. Dotted notebooks, rulers, highlighters, stickers, and washi tape can make layouts easier or more decorative, but they are optional. Start with the simplest setup and add tools only when they solve a specific problem or make the habit more enjoyable.
