Starting a bullet journal can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to selecting the right supplies. I recall feeling anxious about choosing the perfect items for my own journal, having made several mistakes along the way. Initially, I spent too much money on unnecessary supplies that didn’t ultimately benefit my journaling experience. In this post, I’m sharing my expertise and highlighting the essential bullet journal supplies that have been crucial to my journey. If you’re new to bullet journaling and want to get started with a solid foundation, begin by reading our comprehensive guide on how to create a bullet journal that suits your needs.
What Supplies Do I Need To Start A Bullet Journal?
When it comes to finding the right supplies for bullet journaling, the abundance of options can be overwhelming. Each member of the community has their unique style and preferred tools, making it challenging to determine which ones are worth investing in. For instance, I’ve evolved from a sticker and washi tape enthusiast to a minimalist who relies on pens and pencils. This realization came after wasting resources on supplies that didn’t align with my personal style.To avoid similar mistakes, I suggest starting with the essentials and gradually building your collection as you become more familiar with your journaling habits. The more you bullet journal, the better you’ll understand what works best for you.If you’re looking to explore new techniques or mediums, consider starting with affordable alternatives before investing in high-end supplies. Below, I’ve compiled a list of budget-friendly options and must-have essentials that have stood the test of time.
Best Bullet Journal Supplies For Beginners
When it comes to bullet journaling, the right supplies can make all the difference. As a beginner, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the numerous options available – from pens and notebooks to markers and journals. The key is to find what works best for you, rather than getting caught up in expensive or fancy products.For those just starting out, there are a few essential supplies that can help you get started quickly and easily. A notebook (lined, ruled, or blank) is the foundation of any bullet journal, while a pencil or pen provides the means to make it truly yours.Of course, having additional supplies on hand can enhance your creative experience and make tracking your schedule, to-do lists, ideas, and artwork even more enjoyable. If you’re looking to take your organization and productivity to the next level, consider investing in some basic tools like crayons, highlighters, a ruler, eraser, pencil sharpener, and correction tape.Alternatively, you can opt for a bullet journal starter kit that includes a range of supplies, such as stencils, notebooks, stickers, fine-tip pens, and washi tape. These kits can be a great way to get started quickly without having to spend hours searching for individual supplies.However, it’s important not to feel pressured into buying everything at once. Instead, choose one or two items to start with and gradually build up your collection over time. This approach not only saves you money but also helps you avoid accumulating unnecessary supplies that may not align with your personal style.
Cheap Bullet Journal Supplies
Incorporating bullet journaling into your daily routine can be a game-changer for staying organized and productive, all without breaking the bank. One of the best things about this creative approach to planning is that it’s incredibly versatile – you can customize your pages to fit your unique style and aesthetic, even on a limited budget. While it’s true that there are many affordable options available, it’s also important to ensure that you’re getting good quality for your money. Over the years, I’ve discovered a few reliable and affordable products that have really impressed me, and I’m excited to share them with you.
Minimalism Art Bullet Journal Notebook
This premium notebook boasts a sturdy black cover with an elegant design. The 240 pages feature over 120 acid-free pages, ensuring the longevity of your notes. Measuring 5 inches by 8.3 inches, it’s compact and portable, making it perfect for desks or on-the-go use. The notebook is equipped with an elastic closure, expandable inner pocket, and a ribbon bookmark. Notably, the acid-free paper and ink bleed-resistant pages provide a smooth writing experience. Additionally, a table of contents allows for effortless reference. The notebook’s classic design and premium construction make it a standout choice in its size format. It’s also available in various sizes and colors to suit individual preferences.
Dyvicl Black Micro Pen Fineliner Ink Pens
If you’re searching for the perfect pen for both sketching and writing, look no further than the Dyvicl Black Micro Pen Fineliner Ink Pens. These exceptional pens not only provide a range of line widths to suit your creative needs but also boast impressive water-resistance. Artists in particular rave about the consistent quality of the ink flow, as well as the build quality of the pen itself.
One notable feature is that these pens are non-toxic, non-refillable, and odorless. What’s more, they excel at producing lines that never bleed, skip, fade or smear. Whether you’re working on vellum, tracing designs, or crafting intricate details on various papers, the Dyvicl Black Micro Pen Fineliner Ink Pens deliver a smooth writing experience.
The pen set includes an impressive 9 nib sizes to cater to diverse artistic needs and styles. Additionally, the free-flowing ink flows effortlessly, allowing for detailed crawling, clean outlines, and a true sense of freedom in your creative expression.
Uni Pin Drawing Pen
When it comes to adding color to your bullet journal, the Uni Pin drawing pen set is a game-changer. What sets these pens apart from others is that you can get them in a range of colors beyond just black. You can opt for a set with sepia, light grey, and dark grey fineliners, or stick with the classic black. The ink used in these pens is not only fade-proof but also waterproof, ensuring your creations remain vibrant and long-lasting. One of the standout features of this pen set is its comfortable grip, making it easy to write for extended periods without fatigue. Additionally, the writing experience is smooth and effortless, with no skips or skips to speak of. The ink itself is lightfast and water-resistant, allowing you to create without worrying about smudges or fading over time. What’s more, this set of 8 pens offers a range of colors and tip sizes, giving you endless possibilities for creativity.
Crayola Super Tips Washable
For those who enjoy brush lettering, Crayola markers offer a cost-effective alternative to other brush pens. The Washable Super Tips highlighters have gained popularity among creatives, boasting soft colours that can please even the most discerning eye. These versatile markers are ideal for writing, colouring, and drawing, providing a range of line widths that can be adjusted from thin to thick, making them suitable for various colouring techniques. Furthermore, their washable formula ensures that they won’t leave any stains on the skin, making them a great choice for artists who work closely with their creations. Additionally, these non-toxic markers make them an excellent gift option for kids, allowing parents to encourage their little ones’ creativity without worrying about harmful substances.
Best Bullet Journal supplies
As you continue to explore the world of bullet journaling, you may find yourself craving more sophisticated and visually appealing spreads. To help take your creativity to the next level, I’ve compiled a curated list of top-notch supplies that will elevate your journaling experience without breaking the bank.
Best Notebooks For Bullet Journal
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When it comes to bullet journaling, having the right notebook can make all the difference. Whether you’re a minimalist or an art enthusiast, there are many options out there to suit your style and needs.Before making a decision, consider how you like to use your bullet journal. Do you view it as a daily planner, an art journal, or a combination of both? Think about what types of art mediums or stationery you prefer to use (ballpoint pen, watercolors, black ink). How do you deal with ghosting and bleeding through the paper?Once you have a better idea of your needs, you can start narrowing down your options. Newbies don’t need to worry too much about the type of journal they begin with – ultimately, they can upgrade to a different notebook when they get comfortable with bullet journaling and want to explore more ideas.In terms of specific notebooks, here are some popular options:The Dingbats Notebook is a great choice for those who want a high-quality, luxurious-feeling notebook. It features a faux leather cover, smooth paper that won’t bleed or ghost, and plenty of bonus features like index pages and numbered pages.For those who prefer a more budget-friendly option, the Leuchtturm1917 notebook is a good choice. It has numbered pages, printed index pages, and an envelope pocket – all at a very reasonable price.If you’re looking for a notebook that can handle your craziest watercolor dreams, look no further than the Archer & Olive Watercolour Dot Grid Journal. This book features 200 GSM paper that resists bleeding, as well as a durable cover and back pocket to hold mementos.The Moleskine Dot Grid Notebook is another great option – it’s slim profile makes it easy to carry around, and its softcover design means you can use watercolors without worrying about bleed-through. And for those who want the ultimate in durability, the Rhodia Ramalama Dot Notebook features 90g smooth ivory sheets that are ink-resistant.Ultimately, the right notebook is one that fits your style, needs, and preferences. Whether you’re a minimalist or an art enthusiast, there’s a bullet journal out there waiting for you.
Best Pens For Bullet Journal
Finding the ideal pen for your bullet journal can be a daunting task, but fear not! With so many options available in the market, it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed. However, by considering the unique characteristics of each pen, you’ll be able to find one that suits your writing, drawing, and sketching needs without breaking the bank. Here’s a curated list of top-notch bullet journal pens that cater to various budgets, ensuring you can create stunning art in your notebook with ease.
For Drawing
When it comes to finding the perfect pens for your bullet journal, there’s more to consider than just selecting a pen that matches your desired color. However, I’ve simplified the process by compiling a list of top-notch options. The Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens are a must-have for those who take their detailing and drawing seriously. This comprehensive set features a wide range of unique pens with medium-heft felt tips, offering a subtle contrast to the thicker felt tips typically found on the market. The color palette includes black and grey tones, making it ideal for capturing intricate details. Whether you’re creating complex structures or fine-tuning your artistic skills, this pen set is an excellent choice.In addition to the Pitt Artist Pens, the Sakura Pigma Micron Ink Pens are a standout option for daily journaling. These pens boast exceptional ink quality and are perfect for hand lettering, note-taking, and general writing tasks. With 0.45mm fine points, they’re ideal for individuals with small handwriting who prefer to conserve space on their pages. The flexible and durable plastic nib allows for versatile strokes ranging from medium to fine, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable and expressive writing experience.
For Writing
When it comes to bullet journaling, the right pen can make all the difference. While a great notebook is essential, the perfect pen can elevate your writing experience and make it more enjoyable. As a key component of any bullet journalist’s arsenal, I’ve found that these top picks provide a seamless and satisfying writing experience.1. Pilot Metropolitan Collection Fountain PenThe Pilot Metropolitan Collection Fountain Pen is an exceptional choice for anyone looking to take their bullet journaling to the next level. Its ergonomic design makes it feel weightless even after extended use, making it perfect for those with large entries or accounts to record. Once you’ve experienced the smooth writing flow of this pen, it’s hard to go back to others.2. Muji Gel Ink Ballpoint PensFor many bullet journal enthusiasts, Muji ballpoint pens are a staple in their daily routine. These adorable pens offer a range of unique features, including Japanese-inspired colors and designs, as well as varied nib sizes. What sets them apart is their exceptional smoothness and versatility, making them ideal for everyday writing. Moreover, the aqueous pigment ink reduces bleeding and prevents leaks on your paper, ensuring crisp, legible lines.
Best Colour Pens For Bullet Journal
When it comes to choosing coloured pens for your bullet journaling needs, the quality of the pen is just as important as the paper quality you’re using. The best pens will provide vibrant colours that don’t bleed or feather on the page. Here are a few top picks that fit the bill:First up, Uniball Signo gel pens have earned their 5-star rating on Amazon thanks to their opaque and thick ink that flows consistently without skips or breaks. With a 1.0mm rollerball tip, these pens write smoothly and are suitable for use on various paper types, including dark surfaces.For those who enjoy doodling and lettering, Staedtler Triplus Fineliners are a must-try. These fineliners come in a range of ink colours and nib sizes, making them versatile and easy to use. Their high-quality design ensures that your work will look professional and vibrant.Stabilo Point 88 Fineliner pens are another popular choice for their excellent performance. With over 6 billion pieces sold worldwide, these pens have proven themselves to be a timeless classic. Whether you’re taking notes, drawing, or colouring, this range of 47 brilliant colours, including neon shades, will provide everything you need.Last but not least, Sakura Gelly Roll Moonlight pens offer a unique range of water-based gel ink colours that are resistant to fading and bleeding. The 12-colour set includes 10 moonlight shades and 2 White roller-ball pens. With their smooth writing experience and consistent ink flow, these pens have become a favourite among the bullet journaling community.
The Best Highlighters For Bullet Journal & Bujo Brush Pens
The art of bullet journaling is elevated by the perfect combination of highlighters and brush pens. These tools allow for simple organization while providing a sense of satisfaction as you mark off tasks with vibrant colors. Brush pens, in particular, offer a unique font style that can elevate your journaling experience. Let’s explore some of the best options available today.The Zebra Mildliner set features soft and subtle colors that work well for writing headers, highlighting, and coloring doodles. Each marker has two ends – one with a chisel tip for bold lines and another with a fine point for writing titles or adding color. The ink dries quickly and is water-resistant to ensure your creations remain intact.For artistic bullet journaling, the Tombow Dual Brush Pen excels at brush lettering and watercoloring. This versatile tool allows beginners and pros alike to create unique shades by mixing colors. The possibilities are endless!Lastly, the Stabilo Boss Original Highlighter has been a staple in the bullet journal community since its launch in 1971. With its refillable design, available in 15 colors, and anti-dry out technology, this highlighter is a reliable companion for any journaling enthusiast.
Best Journal Accessories, Tools, And Gadgets
Let’s get real – the bullet journaling community has a thing or two to say about the importance of tools and accessories. We can’t help but obsess over the latest must-haves, often finding ourselves splurging on supplies left and right. But what if I told you that investing in top-notch goods upfront is actually the way to go? Not only will you save money in the long run, but you’ll also avoid the constant need to upgrade or replace items. In this sense, it’s all about setting yourself up for success from the get-go. Here are some essential bits and bobs that every bullet journalist should consider incorporating into their journaling routine.
Ruler
When it comes to bullet journaling, having a reliable ruler is essential for maintaining a neat and organized journal. By providing precise straight lines, a ruler helps keep your journal tidy and easy to navigate. While it may seem like a simple tool, a ruler can quickly become an indispensable companion in your daily creative routine. Whether you prefer a compact pocket-sized ruler or a longer one for home use, having the right size at hand is crucial. A 12-inch ruler, in particular, offers sufficient length to create lines across two pages simultaneously, making it an ideal choice for many bullet journal enthusiasts.
Sticky notes
Adding sticky notes to your bullet journal can elevate the experience and make it even more enjoyable. They’re ideal for jotting down quick reminders, creating visually appealing spreads, planning out layouts, and managing projects in a fun and dynamic way.
Washi Tape For Bullet Journaling
Washi tape has a unique ability to instantly elevate the aesthetic of a bullet journal with its vibrant designs and whimsical flair. With an array of sizes, patterns, textures, and colours to choose from, it’s easy to find a perfect match for anyone. Whether you’re looking for bold and bright or subtle and understated, washi tape offers endless possibilities for creativity and self-expression.
Bullet Journal Stickers
Transforming a blank bullet journal page into a vibrant masterpiece has never been easier with stickers! Not only do they allow you to customize a theme and design a layout that perfectly captures your personality, but they also offer a range of functional options such as to-do lists, monthly calendars, and weekly logs. For those who want to infuse their journaling experience with creativity without sacrificing time, stickers are an absolute must-have accessory.
Bullet Journal Stamps
When consistently using a specific page or layout in your journal, it’s natural to think about enhancing the visual appeal of your bullet journal entries. One way to do this is by incorporating bujo stamps, which can add a touch of personality and style to your daily or monthly spreads. Whether you opt for Bullet Journal month stamps or more decorative options, these small design elements can make a big impact on the overall aesthetic of your journal pages.
Bullet Journal Stencils
When it comes to bullet journal stencils, you’re spoiled for choice. On one hand, you can scour the market for options that fit your personal style and needs. Alternatively, you could opt for a DIY approach and create your own custom stencils from scratch. For those who prefer a more budget-friendly or low-key approach to decorating their bullet journal spreads, stencils are an excellent solution – no need to break out the stickers or get creative with doodles!
Bullet Journal Printables
For those eager to start bullet journaling but struggling to find time to create everything from scratch, bullet journal printables offer a convenient solution. These pre-designed templates not only help keep you focused on various planning aspects but also enable organization within the planner itself. One of the best things about bullet journal printables is that they come in a variety of vibrant designs, adding a unique touch to your planner. And the best part? They’re relatively inexpensive compared to investing in high-end art supplies or special notebooks. With printables, you can easily adopt bullet journaling without having to worry about creating layouts or doing any drawing yourself.
Paper clips
When it comes to organizing your bullet journal notebook, paper clips are a versatile tool that can be used in a variety of ways. Not only do they enable you to mark important pages, but they also allow you to group together past entries or keep track of loose notes and bills in one convenient location.
Eraser
While it’s easy to overlook erasers as a crucial component of a well-stocked bullet journal arsenal, they’re actually just as vital as any other essential supply. When it comes to effectively removing pencil marks from your pages, a high-quality white eraser is the way to go. Inexpensive colored erasers, on the other hand, can leave behind unsightly smudges and smears that can mar the appearance of your journal. For this reason, it’s well worth investing in a reliable white rubber eraser that won’t smudge or smear ink as you work.
Correction tape
When encountering errors on a journal page, one may feel compelled to start anew, but that’s not always the most ideal approach. Instead, consider reaching for a correction tape, a tool that can prove particularly valuable in your bullet journaling endeavors. While it may not be an essential supply item just yet, this humble addition can make all the difference when mistakes occur. For me, a correction tape is a preferable solution to its fluid counterpart, as the latter can take an eternity to dry and even carries an unpleasant odor.
Helix Circle Maker
Elevate your note-taking and organizational skills with the ability to effortlessly generate precise circular shapes. This versatile tool empowers you to create flawless circles for your habit tracker, or anywhere else you need a symmetrical design. By incorporating an affordable circle maker into your workflow, you can streamline your creative process and produce professional-looking results without breaking the bank.
Tombow adhesive tapes
For those who have adopted the habit of incorporating adhesives into their bullet journals, the Tombow brand is a go-to solution for many. The acid-free nature of these tapes ensures that they won’t damage your journal over time, while their ease of refilling makes them a practical choice for those who like to keep their supplies organized and readily available.
Avery Ultra Tabs
To add a touch of personality to your page tabs, consider using Avery’s Ultra Tabs. These ultra-durable tabs are available in a range of fun shapes, colors, and patterns, making them perfect for adding a pop of color and whimsy to your notebook or journal.
Best Art Journal Supplies
To take your bullet journaling to the next level, you’ll want to have a range of art journal supplies at your fingertips. While stationery items are essential, there’s more to creating visually stunning spreads than just writing and drawing. Here, we’ve compiled a list of our top picks for art journal supplies that can help elevate your creative expression.
Watercolors
For creative types, bullet journal supplies like watercolours offer endless possibilities for artistic expression. And the best part? You don’t need to be a skilled artist to create something stunning. Simply use light washes or subtle gradients to add visual interest to your spreads. The key is to control the amount of water on the page, allowing you to achieve a beautiful, ombre effect without overwhelming the design. This flexibility makes watercolours an excellent choice for those who like to experiment and push the boundaries of their bullet journal layouts.
Watercolor brush pens
Watercolour brush pens offer a convenient alternative to traditional brushes and water containers. By combining the best of both worlds, these hybrid tools make it easy to create stunning artworks on-the-go. The nylon bristles are not only easy to clean but also remarkably resilient, with minimal staining that doesn’t affect the paint’s vibrant colour. With this versatile tool in hand, you’re ready to unleash your creativity. Just remember to adapt to the unique characteristics of water brushes: they require a brief adjustment period since they’re always wet. To avoid any mishaps, hold the brush near its tip and not over a water reservoir, lest you accidentally squeeze out excess liquid onto your paper.
Color pencils
Colouring plays a vital role in bullet journaling, allowing for both organization and personal expression. With colour pencils, users can effortlessly create hundreds of unique tones by varying the amount of pressure applied. The possibilities are endless, making it up to individual preference. As the bullet journal philosophy encourages, there’s no need to adhere to rules – instead, freely experiment with various shades and hues to bring one’s personality to life. This freedom is what makes bullet journaling so captivating. The provided list encompasses all the necessary supplies for starting or elevating your bullet journaling experience, inviting you to explore and find the tools that best suit your creative style. We’d love to hear about your favourite supplies and how you incorporate them into your bullet journaling journey – share your thoughts in the comments below.