Category: How to create Journal Covers using Printables

How to create Journal Covers using printables. An easy an inexpensive way to personalize your journals for yourself or gift giving.

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Creating Journal Covers Using Printables

I have been using some of the designs from our Vintage Colour Collage Sets to create Journal Covers and small decorative notepads… and I am loving the look and the process!  

The supply list is pretty minimal and inexpensive:  

  • Prints from our Vintage colour Collage Sets, printed on white cardstock
  • Small journals with blank covers
  • Lined sticky note pads
  • Small white note pads 
  • Scrapbook paper in various designs – 12 x 12 and 6 x 6
  • Black cardstock
  • Paper punch and corner rounder
  • Double sided tape
  • Glue
  • A little bit of ‘bling

This is the print that I started with for this set. I love the Vintage Boho vibe, the whimsy and the colours. 

You can find this print in the Vintage Colour Set here. 

I created an 8.5 x 11 page in PowerPoint, and used the print to create a number of different ‘cut-aparts’ that I could use in different sized projects.  I added text to one of the sections. 

I then saved that as a PDF and printed it on a heavy white cardstock. 

Using a small journal with a blank cover as my base, I layered the cut-aparts over a coordinating scrapbook paper.  All of these where adhered using a thin double sided tape.  

On the back of the journal I used two layers of scrap book paper, along with a third piece that I cut with a scalloped paper punch.  It was finished off with a quote card and a little bit of bling! 

On the inside cover of the journal, I created a pocket and bookmark using two coordinating scrapbook papers… and a little bit more bling, just for fun! 

Two smaller notepads were created to finish off the set.  Both are a great size to carry in a purse or keep on your desk.  One contains a lined sticky note pad and the other has a white tear-away note pad. 

Both close with Velcro fasteners.  

Black Cardstock was used as the base for this cover. Velcro rounds were added for inexpensive closures.
The inside of this notebook as an inspirational quote over scrapbook paper. A small white notepad is perfect for notes or doodles!
A decorative paper punch was used to add detail to the edge of this cover.
The inside of this notebook has a lined sticky note pad for jotting down notes on the run!

Another set...

This set was created using a print from another one of our vintage collections.  The same process was followed to create the covers… you can see the different elements in the photos below.  

To see the collection that includes this print, click here. 

The print that I started with...
The front cover... I added text to this before printing.
Back cover using scrapbook paper and a quote...
Inside front cover and bookmark - both with inspirational quotes.
This tiny note book is a covered mini-compostion notebook - the same paper was used on this cover as was used on the larger notebook.
The inside cover features a section of coordinating paper and a smaller quote card.
The third notebook in the set is also in the same paper as the large notebook - with scalloped edges done with a paper punch. There is a small velcro circle that acts as a closure.
The finished set! I had so much fun making these!

And yet another set … I love the colours and fantasy feel of this print!

Another set using one of the prints from our Purple Fantasy Colour Bundle Collection. Various elements of this set are below. 

To see the set that includes this print, click here. 

The print that I started with...
The back cover used a smaller version of the print with an inspirational quote added
The inside cover has a pocket with an inspirational quote... and an inspirational bookmark.
This small notebook was created using the same scrapbook paper that is used on the larger journal. The edge is scalloped with a paper punch and there is a velcro closure.
The inside contains a lined 'sticky' note pad that is adhered to the base with glue.
This small notebook is a covered mini-compostion book - using the same scrapbook paper as a base and a segment of the main print with text overlayed.
The inside cover has a coordinating scrapbook paper background and a quote card.

And one last set....

This set uses two prints from the same collection.

To see the collection that includes these prints, click here. 

These are the two prints that I started with….

The back cover used a small print as well as black cardstock and patterned cardstock that was used elsewhere in the set.
The inside of the journal has a front pocket with an inspirational quote card and a inspirational bookmark. The pocket and book mark were made using black cardstock.
This note book was made using black cardstock, a print of the geranium, with gradient background added in, and a strip of coordinating scrapbook paper.
There is another inspirational quote on the inside cover and the note pad closes with a velcro circle.
Another mini-composition book - covered in black cardstock and embellished with a small print and some polka dot washi tape.
The inside cover has a smaller print over a strip of washi tape. (The washi tape needs to be adhered with glue or double sided tape so that it does not come loose.)

Are you inspired and encouraged to create?!