Journaling used to be something relegated to young girls diligently sitting at carved desks in their bedrooms, jotting down all their childhood angst on the pages in front of them. As the world has evolved, people of all ages and genders have recognized the benefits of journaling. Whether you’re ten years old, in high school, in college, or middle-aged, expressing your thoughts in the written word is a cathartic and therapeutic process which has proven to be profoundly beneficial.
As part of the therapeutic process, people take great pride in the vehicle chosen to hold their words of self-expression. Some people prefer simple spiral bound notebooks, while others prefer hardcover books with a solid weight to them. When it comes to journal preferences, the sky is really the limit in terms of what your pen will be drawn to write in. Regardless of the type and size of journal you choose, one guaranteed way to make it your own is by creating your own DIY journal cover.
How To Make a Homemade Journal Cover
It is only fitting that a book holding our most personal thoughts and the essence of ourselves should also be covered with something that is a true expression of ourselves. Making your own diary cover is not as daunting as it may seem.
All you need to begin is a cardstock paper that is at least one to two inches larger on each side than your chosen journal. This extra space will allow you to fold the paper’s edges around the book’s cover for a seamless look. If a seamless look isn’t a priority to you, another option would be to select a cardstock paper that is either exactly the same size as your intended notebook, or cut to the same size as your notebook. You can then simply glue the cardstock paper onto the notebook cover for an easy no-fold option.
When selecting your cardstock paper, you should also make sure that it has a decent weight so that it can withstand any decorations you decide to use. At the same time, you don’t want a cardstock that is too heavy. If you decide to wrap the edges of the cardstock paper around your chosen notebook, you don’t want something that is so thick that it will be tough to fold neatly. Generally speaking, cardstock paper with a 67 pound to 80 pound weight should be perfect for this project.
If you would like to start with a truly blank slate, a white-colored cardstock paper would be a solid choice. However, if you want something a little brighter, choose your favorite color of paper and just like that, you’ve already begun your journey of self-expression.
Whether your chosen cardstock paper is white or colored, you can take watercolor or acrylic paints to begin adding your own artistic flair. If paintbrushes are not your thing, use the spokes of a plastic fork to decorate the page. If you want to take an even more abstract approach, you can use spray paint to add some color to your notebook cover.
When decorating your journal cover, it is important to think about what speaks to you personally. This is not a project you are making for someone else. This is something that is for your eyes only and should be something that speaks to your soul. It doesn’t need to be art according to anyone else’s standards. Any supposed rules or notions you have about color and creativity should be thrown out the window. Allow your inner self to create a handmade journal cover that speaks directly to you.
Journal Cover Design Ideas
It can be easier said than done when it comes to creating artwork that speaks to your soul. For some people, ideas just filter in naturally and they can simply sit down and let the creativity flow out of them. For other people, the idea of coming up with a unique journal cover design can seem daunting. It can paralyze you and make you procrastinate to the point that you just never even start. That doesn’t mean you don’t have it in you to create a journal cover. It just means you need an inspirational push, or simply put, DIY journal cover ideas to set you off in the right direction.
If your aesthetic is more simple and subtle, stick to neutral colors when it comes to painting your journal cover. For example, you can paint your cardstock a beige color. Then simply take a black dinner napkin and fold it into itself a bunch of times. With a scissor, you can then cut out little triangles, circles, and squares at the folded creases. Open the napkin and either paste the entire thing or smaller portions onto the cover of your notebook. Mod podge glue will be the best adhesive option for this project. Once the glue has dried, use white paint or a white-out pen to elegantly write your name in script over the napkin.
If bolder and brighter designs are more your speed, you can select more vibrant paint colors. Better yet, don’t just choose one color, create an abstract paint design filled with lots of color. You can even use tissue paper to add more color and texture to your journal cover. Glitter pens are another great option to doodle a favorite quote or two across your tissue paper decoupage.
Another great design option to include can be magazine or newspaper clippings. These are things most of us have at home and don’t require a trip to the store or any expensive arts and crafts supply purchases. Simply take a pair of scissors and cut out pictures, words, or phrases that speak to you. Paste them wherever you like as you work them into the other design elements on your journal cover.
Whatever your notebook cover design inclinations may be, it is important to remember one rule only – that there are no rules. Don’t compare your journal cover to others you see online or in stores. Definitely do not judge your creative ability or be harsh on yourself about your artistic capabilities. Once you allow yourself to take the stress out of it, you’d be surprised what you can actually create. The creation of DIY journal covers is meant to be a therapeutic process, one which foretells all the cathartic words which are bound to fill its pages.
So get creative with as many or as little art supplies as you deem fit and create your very own customized journal cover that will inspire you. Enjoy the process as much as the end result and you are guaranteed to discover that even if you aren’t typically a DIY person, there is joy to be had in the process of self-expression.