Junk Journal vs. Art Journal vs. Scrapbook: Understanding the Differences
Introduction: Navigating the Paper Crafting World
If you've recently ventured into the vast world of paper crafting, you've likely encountered terms like "junk journal," "art journal," and "scrapbook" being used in seemingly interchangeable ways. While these creative formats share some common elements, they each have distinct characteristics, purposes, and approaches that make them unique.
Understanding these differences isn't just about semantics—it can help you choose the creative outlet that best aligns with your personal style, available materials, and what you hope to express or preserve. Whether you're a seasoned crafter looking to expand your repertoire or a beginner trying to find your creative niche, this comprehensive guide will help you understand the unique qualities of each format.
Let's explore the distinctive features, historical backgrounds, typical materials, and creative approaches that define junk journals, art journals, and scrapbooks—empowering you to choose the perfect paper crafting medium for your next creative journey.
Junk Journals: Creative Recycling with a Vintage Flair
What Defines a Junk Journal?
At its core, a junk journal is a handmade book created primarily from repurposed, found, and recycled materials. The term "junk" refers affectionately to the materials used—items that might otherwise be discarded but are transformed into something beautiful and meaningful.
The philosophy behind junk journaling embraces imperfection, sustainability, and the beauty of aged, worn materials. These journals often have an eclectic, layered aesthetic with a vintage or nostalgic feel.
Historical Context
While the term "junk journal" is relatively recent (gaining popularity in the 2010s), the practice of creating books from available materials has ancient roots. Historically, when paper and binding materials were expensive, people would use whatever they had on hand—from grocery packaging to letters and envelopes—to create personal records.
The modern junk journaling movement draws inspiration from Victorian scrapbooks, commonplace books, and the broader upcycling movement. It has flourished in the digital age, partly as a tactile counterbalance to our increasingly screen-based lives and partly as a response to environmental concerns about consumption and waste.
Typical Materials
What truly distinguishes junk journals is their use of predominantly repurposed materials:
Found paper: Old book pages, vintage advertisements, music sheets, maps, tickets, receipts, and packaging
Ephemera: Vintage postcards, letters, stamps, and documentation
Household discards: Tea bags, coffee filters, grocery bags, and food packaging
Natural elements: Pressed flowers, leaves, and twigs
Fabric scraps: Lace, ribbon, burlap, and old clothing pieces
Binding materials: Repurposed leather, old book covers, cardboard from packaging
Structure and Approach
Junk journals typically have a more free-form, organic structure compared to traditional scrapbooks. Key structural elements include:
Varied page sizes and types within the same journal
Multiple layers of materials creating depth and texture
Interactive elements like tuck spots, fold-outs, and pockets
Less emphasis on chronology and more on aesthetic groupings or intuitive arrangement
Embracing the aged appearance of materials rather than trying to preserve them in pristine condition
Minimal use of new, store-bought materials (though some are typically incorporated)
Primary Purpose
While junk journals can serve many purposes, they're often created:
As a creative playground for self-expression
To preserve meaningful ephemera and memories in a tactile way
To practice sustainable crafting by upcycling materials
As art objects in their own right
To create a sensory experience through different textures and materials
As gifts that incorporate meaningful materials related to the recipient
Who Might Prefer Junk Journals
Junk journaling might be your ideal format if:
You enjoy collecting and repurposing vintage items and ephemera
You're drawn to aged, weathered aesthetics
You prefer an intuitive, less structured creative process
You're environmentally conscious and enjoy upcycling
You appreciate tactile variety and texture in your creations
You aren't concerned with archival longevity (though many junk journals are quite durable)
Art Journals: Expressive Canvas for Mixed Media Exploration
What Defines an Art Journal?
An art journal is a book focused primarily on artistic experimentation and visual expression. Unlike junk journals (centered on repurposed materials) or scrapbooks (centered on memory preservation), art journals prioritize creative exploration through various media and techniques.
The pages of an art journal often feature layers of paint, collage, drawing, and text combined to express emotions, work through ideas, or simply play with artistic techniques. The emphasis is on the creative process rather than creating a polished final product.
Historical Context
Art journaling has roots in artists' sketchbooks and visual diaries that have existed for centuries. Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks, which combined sketches, scientific observations, and personal notes, could be considered early examples of art journals.
The modern art journaling movement gained momentum in the late 20th century with the rise of mixed media art and was further popularized in the early 2000s through books, workshops, and online communities dedicated to the practice.
Typical Materials
Art journals typically incorporate:
Quality paper base: Often heavyweight paper that can withstand wet media
Paint: Acrylics, watercolors, gouache, oil pastels
Drawing media: Colored pencils, markers, graphite
Collage elements: Magazine images, photographs, decorative papers
Texture builders: Modeling paste, gesso, fabric, found objects
Text elements: Handwriting, typography, stamps, stencils
Fixatives and finishes: Varnishes, sprays, and mediums
While art journals may include some repurposed materials (like junk journals), they typically rely more heavily on traditional art supplies and are less focused on the origin of materials.
Structure and Approach
Art journals typically feature:
Consistent page sizes and quality throughout the journal
Focus on layering various art media rather than just paper ephemera
Emphasis on color, composition, and artistic techniques
Space for experimentation and trying new approaches
Less emphasis on memorabilia and more on personal expression
Often includes written reflections alongside visual elements
Primary Purpose
Art journals are typically created:
As a safe space for artistic experimentation without pressure
To process emotions through visual expression
To document artistic growth and practice techniques
To combine visual and written reflection
To explore personal symbolism and visual language
As a regular creative practice or habit
Who Might Prefer Art Journals
Art journaling might be your ideal format if:
You enjoy experimenting with different art media and techniques
You're looking for emotional release through creative expression
You want to improve your artistic skills through regular practice
You appreciate the freedom of creating without rules or expectations
You like combining visual art with written reflection
You enjoy the process of creating layers and building depth
Scrapbooks: Structured Memory Preservation
What Defines a Scrapbook?
A scrapbook is a book designed primarily to preserve memories, photographs, and memorabilia in a visually appealing, organized format. While modern scrapbooking has evolved to incorporate more decorative elements, its core purpose remains memory preservation and storytelling.
Traditional scrapbooks typically feature photographs as the central element, supported by decorative papers, journaling, and memorabilia arranged in a cohesive, often chronological layout.
Historical Context
Scrapbooking is perhaps the oldest of these three formats, with roots tracing back to the 15th century. By the 19th century, scrapbooking had become a popular pastime, with commercially produced scrapbooks available for preserving calling cards, newspaper clippings, and other paper ephemera.
The modern scrapbooking industry emerged in the 1980s and exploded in popularity during the 1990s and early 2000s, with dedicated stores, product lines, and communities developing around the craft.
Typical Materials
Traditional scrapbooking materials include:
Archival-quality papers: Acid-free, lignin-free papers designed for longevity
Photographs: Often the central element of scrapbook pages
Coordinated papers and embellishments: Pre-designed collections intended to work together
Memorabilia: Tickets, programs, cards, and other items related to specific events
Archival adhesives: Designed not to yellow or degrade over time
Protective elements: Page protectors, album covers, and storage solutions
Tools: Paper cutters, corner rounders, and specialized punches
Unlike junk journals, traditional scrapbooking places high emphasis on archival quality and longevity of materials.
Structure and Approach
Scrapbooks typically feature:
Consistent page sizes (commonly 12"x12" or 8.5"x11")
Organized layouts often following templates or design principles
Chronological or thematic organization
Focus on telling a specific story or documenting particular events
Emphasis on preservation of photographs and memorabilia
Journaling that provides context for the visual elements
Primary Purpose
Scrapbooks are typically created:
To preserve family history and important memories
To document significant events like weddings, births, and vacations
To create a legacy that can be passed down to future generations
To organize photographs and memorabilia in an aesthetically pleasing way
To tell the stories behind the photographs
To create a structured record of significant life events
Who Might Prefer Scrapbooking
Traditional scrapbooking might be your ideal format if:
Preserving memories in a lasting format is your primary goal
You have lots of photographs you want to organize and display
You appreciate structure, organization, and clean layouts
You want to create something that will last for generations
You enjoy working with coordinated supplies and design principles
You want to tell specific stories with your creations
Key Differences: A Side-by-Side Comparison
To further clarify the distinctions between these three creative formats, let's compare them directly across several categories:
Material Origin
Junk Journal: Primarily repurposed/found/vintage materials
Art Journal: Primarily new art supplies with some mixed media additions
Scrapbook: Primarily new, coordinated, often archival-quality supplies
Central Focus
Junk Journal: The materials themselves and their transformation
Art Journal: The artistic expression and media experimentation
Scrapbook: The photographs and memories being preserved
Organization Approach
Junk Journal: Intuitive, aesthetic-driven, often non-chronological
Art Journal: Process-driven, emotional, experimental
Scrapbook: Structured, often chronological or thematically organized
Text Elements
Junk Journal: Vintage text, ephemera, minimal personal writing
Art Journal: Expressive writing, quotes, poetry, stream of consciousness
Scrapbook: Journaling focused on documenting events and memories
Longevity Considerations
Junk Journal: Less emphasis on archival quality, embraces aging
Art Journal: Some consideration of material compatibility, but process over permanence
Scrapbook: Strong emphasis on archival quality and preservation
Community Focus
Junk Journal: Vintage aesthetics, sustainability, creative repurposing
Art Journal: Artistic techniques, emotional expression, creative process
Scrapbook: Memory preservation, layout design, photography
The Beautiful Gray Areas: Hybrid Approaches
While we've outlined the distinctive features of each format, it's important to note that many creators blend elements from different approaches to create hybrid journals that serve their unique purposes.
Art Journal + Junk Journal Hybrid
This combination uses repurposed materials as the base but incorporates more extensive art media techniques. The vintage elements of junk journaling provide interesting backgrounds and textures for artistic exploration.
Junk Journal + Scrapbook Hybrid
Sometimes called "heritage scrapbooking," this approach uses vintage and repurposed materials but focuses more on preserving family history and photographs in a structured way. It might use junk journal techniques to create backgrounds for photos and memorabilia.
Art Journal + Scrapbook Hybrid
This style uses artistic techniques to enhance memory preservation, going beyond basic scrapbooking layouts to incorporate mixed media elements while still maintaining a focus on photographs and storytelling.
The All-in-One Approach
Many creators don't limit themselves to any single definition, instead creating books that incorporate elements of all three approaches based on their mood, available materials, and purpose for a particular page.
Choosing the Right Format for Your Creative Journey
With a clearer understanding of these creative formats, how do you decide which one might be right for you? Consider these questions:
What materials do you already have or enjoy working with?
Vintage paper and ephemera → Junk journal
Art supplies and mixed media → Art journal
Photographs and memories to preserve → Scrapbook
What is your primary purpose for creating?
Creative expression and artistic exploration → Art journal
Sustainable crafting and vintage aesthetics → Junk journal
Memory preservation and storytelling → Scrapbook
What aesthetic appeals to you most?
Layered, vintage, eclectic → Junk journal
Expressive, colorful, depth of media → Art journal
Clean, organized, photo-centric → Scrapbook
How structured do you want your creative process to be?
Free-flowing and intuitive → Junk journal or art journal
Planned and organized → Scrapbook
How important is longevity and archival quality?
Very important → Scrapbook
Somewhat important → Art journal
Less important than aesthetics → Junk journal
Remember that there are no strict rules—the most fulfilling creative practice is one that meets your unique needs and brings you joy.
Conclusion: Honoring the Value in Each Approach
While we've focused on the differences between these creative formats, it's worth celebrating what they share: the human desire to create with our hands, to process our experiences through tangible expression, and to leave our mark in a world that often feels increasingly digital and ephemeral.
Whether you're drawn to the sustainable creativity of junk journaling, the expressive freedom of art journaling, or the structured memory preservation of scrapbooking, each approach offers unique benefits and joys. Many creators find that their preferred style evolves over time or changes based on their current needs and circumstances.
The most important thing is not which label your creative practice falls under, but that you're engaging in the act of creation itself—processing your experiences, expressing your unique perspective, and finding joy in the process of making something with your own hands.
We hope this guide has helped clarify the distinctive features of each format while honoring the beautiful gray areas where they overlap.
Whichever path calls to you, we invite you to join our community of crafters at the Craft & Create Club, where all approaches are celebrated and supported.
