How to Create Junk Journal Pages Using Procreate

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I’m excited to share how you can use Procreate to make your own junk journal pages. In case you don’t know what junk journaling is– it’s basically the most fun, creative way to keep a journal without any rules.

It’s all about taking random stuff you already have—like old photos, ticket stubs, receipts, scraps of paper, or even packaging—and turning it into something beautiful and meaningful. You can write, draw, paste, paint, and decorate however you want. Think of it as part journaling, part scrapbooking, and part “let’s see what I can do with all this stuff aka junk I found.”

The best part? It’s super personal. No two junk journals are the same because it’s all about your style, your memories, and whatever inspires you in the moment. Plus, it’s a great excuse to hoard cute Washi tape, stamps, stickers, and those little bits and pieces you can’t bring yourself to throw away.

People love junk journaling because it’s relaxing and a great creative outlet. It’s also a fun way to upcycle and keep memories without feeling like you need to be perfect or super organized. Whether you’re documenting a trip, brainstorming ideas, or just gluing down pretty paper because it makes you happy, junk journaling is such a fun way to let your creativity run wild.

Junk journaling in Procreate is all about trying new brushes, textures, and colors. We’ll explore digital junk journaling and the basics of Procreate. You’ll learn how to set up your workspace and create your first digital page.

I love DIY projects and finding budget-friendly solutions. Procreate offers many tools and features for amazing junk journal pages.

Yellow flower digital paper background for junk journal — A design I created in Procreate for my digital junk journal background page.

In this guide, we’ll cover setting up your canvas, choosing the right brushes, and navigating Procreate. You’ll learn to create a new canvas, pick the perfect brushes, and use Procreate’s interface easily. This guide is for both beginners and experienced artists. It’s designed to help you make stunning junk journal pages in Procreate and enhance your digital journaling!

Getting Started with Procreate for Junk Journaling

You’ll need an iPad, a stylus (like the Apple Pencil), and the Procreate app from the Apple App Store. Even if you’re new to digital art, Procreate is easy to use. There is an endless amount of amazing Youtube videos to help you learns the ins and outs of the app.

Required Tools and Materials

iPad
Stylus (Apple Pencil or similar)
Procreate app

Setting Up Your Workspace

Now, set up your workspace. Choose the right canvas size – you can use the screen size or enter in the size you want your page to be if you are printing it out to use in a physical journal.

It might feel overwhelming at first. But with practice, you’ll get better and more confident.

Essential Procreate Settings for Junk Journal Creation

Step-by-Step: Creating a Junk Journal Page in Procreate

1. Set Up Your Canvas

Start by opening Procreate and creating a new canvas. If you’re planning to print your page, use dimensions like 8.5″ x 11″ at 300 DPI for high-quality results. For digital-only pages, feel free to customize the size to fit your needs.

2. Choose Your Background

A good junk journal page starts with a great background. Here are some ideas:

Solid colors for a clean base.
Textured backgrounds like crumpled paper or vintage book pages (you can find free textures online). To add a background, tap the Actions Menu (the wrench icon), then choose “Insert a Photo” or draw your own with Procreate’s brushes.

3. Working with Layers

Junk journaling is all about layers, so start building your page by adding digital “scraps.” This can include:

Torn paper edges (use a textured eraser to create realistic tears).
Vintage ephemera like postcards, stamps, or tickets.
Washi tape patterns or digital stickers. Use the Transform Tool (the arrow at the top) to resize and move your elements around until you’re happy with the layout.

Here are some tips for working in Layers in Procreate:

Keep your layers organized by naming them and grouping them into folders.
Use the layer blend modes to create interesting textures and effects.
Experiment with different layer opacity levels to achieve the desired look.

4. Add Text and Doodles

Now it’s time to make it personal. Write a favorite quote, a date, or your thoughts on the page. You can:

Use the Brush Tool for a handwritten look.
Import a fun font if you prefer typed text.

Then, add some doodles! Stars, arrows, flowers—anything that adds your personal touch. Procreate’s wide range of brushes makes it easy to experiment.

Procreate Screen shot of brushes — Some of the brushes that are included with the Procreate App.

5. Add Textures and Shadows

To make your elements look real, add:

Shadows: Use a soft brush with low opacity to paint shadows under your “scraps.”
Rough Edges: Use the Eraser Tool with a rough texture to give images or text a worn look.
Blending Modes: Try blending modes like “Multiply” or “Overlay” to integrate layers seamlessly.

6. Finishing Touches

Add splashes of color or paint effects for extra flair. Procreate has brushes for watercolor, ink splatters, and more, so don’t be afraid to experiment.

Importing and Managing Digital Elements

You can find lots of digital ephemera online, like vintage papers and unique textures. These can enhance your junk journaling pages.

Here’s how you can use online images or your own creations:

Collecting Images

Online Resources: Look for royalty-free or Creative Commons images like vintage ephemera, textures, and patterns. Creative Fabrica, Unsplash, and Pixabay are excellent sources.
Your Artwork: If you’ve already drawn or painted something in Procreate, export it as a PNG to use in your junk journal.
You can also take photos of your physical artwork and upload it to use in Procreate. The possibilities are endless.

Importing Images

Save the images to your device.
In Procreate, tap the Actions Menu and choose “Insert a Photo.” Select the image you want, and it will appear on your canvas.

Layering and Editing

Use the Transform Tool to resize, rotate, or move the image.
Add effects like shadows and textures to make the image look like it’s part of the page.

Combine with Your Artwork

Draw over your imported images, add hand-drawn borders, or layer your artwork behind them to create a cohesive look.

Creating Custom Brushes for Textures

To add some extra personality to your digital junk journal pages, create your own brushes for textures in Procreate. This adds unique, handmade touches to your designs. You can use materials like paper, fabric, or even leaves and flowers for your brushes.

Color Palettes and Vintage Effects

Procreate lets you create your own color palettes. You can pick from many pre-made ones or make your own with the color wheel and color harmony tools. For instance, you can make a palette inspired by Thanksgiving with earthy tones like rich browns and rustic oranges.

Procreate Color Wheel — The color Wheel in Procreate and Winter House Theme Page I made using Procreate

Here are some popular color palettes for junk journal digital art:

Winter palette: muted blues and soft grays, including icy blues and snow-white shades
Christmas palette: bright reds and greens, along with gold and silver embellishments
Halloween palette: midnight blacks, electric oranges, and fiery reds

Using color palettes not only gives your design a cohesive design but it is one more way to add your own personality to your journal.

Adding Text and Typography in Your Digital Journal

Adding text and typography can make your procreate art journaling stand out. Start by picking a font that matches your journal’s theme. Procreate comes with Eina font, but you can also use fonts from Google Fonts, Dafont, and Font Squirrel.

To add text, use the text edit feature. Your text will grow as you type, and you can align it in many ways. This includes left, center, right, and justified.

Font Selection and Installation

To add a new font, download it and import it into Procreate via AirDrop. Then, pick the font from the menu and start typing. Bold, thin, and condensed fonts are great for adding elegance to your journal.

Text Layout Techniques

After adding text, use Procreate’s tools to improve its look. You can apply effects like Soft or Hard Light to your text. Try different font sizes, colors, and styles to make your layout pop.

Exporting and Sharing Your Digital Junk Journal Pages

Now that you’ve made your digital junk journal pages in Procreate, it’s time to share them. You can export them as single images or as a PDF file. Choose a format that keeps your images looking great.

Popular formats include PNG, JPEG, and PDF. Make sure to export at 300 DPI to keep your images sharp. This is important for both online sharing and printing. For more editing, consider exporting as a layered PSD file.

After exporting, share your pages on social media or use them in a physical journal. Pinterest is great for sharing and connecting with others. Create a board for your pages and start pinning. Use hashtags to find others who love junk journaling.

File Format Options

PNG: a good choice for individual images, as it preserves transparency and detail
JPEG: a good choice for combined pages, as it compresses files and reduces file size
PDF: a good choice for sharing multiple pages at once, as it preserves layout and formatting

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Working on a procreate junk journal tutorial can sometimes lead to common issues. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! We’ll look at some tips and tricks for fixing these problems.

One common problem is layer issues. If you’re having trouble, try merging or flattening your layers. This can make your composition simpler. To merge layers together you just piece the layers together or tap on one of the layers and tap on merge down if you want it to merge with the layer right below the one you have selected.

You can also lock or hide layers to avoid accidental changes. To lock layers- tap on the layer you want to select and swipe left and a small menu will appear with the lock feature. Just tap to select lock and you are good to go.

Brush problems are another issue you might face. If your brushes aren’t working right, try resetting or reinstalling them. Adjusting the brush settings can also help you get the effect you want.

Here are some printing issues tips for troubleshooting:

Check your file format and resolution to make sure they’re right for your printer.
Include bleed and margins in your print settings to avoid printing problems.
Test your prints before making final prints to check the quality of your artwork.

By using these tips and tricks, you can fix common problems and make beautiful junk journal pages with procreate. Always save your work and try different techniques to get the look you want.

Issue	Solution
Layer problems	Merge or flatten layers
Brush problems	Reset or reinstall brushes
Print issues	Check file format and resolution

Taking Your Digital Junk Journaling to the Next Level

You have learned the basics of using Procreate to make your own journal pages.

The real fun is in exploring and expressing yourself. Stay open to new ideas and don’t hesitate to try new things. Let your creativity soar as you explore what’s possible with Procreate.