Items you need to create your awesome journals

Printer and Ink

If you plan to create many journals with lots of graphics, I highly recommend getting an HP (Hewlett Packard) printer that is Instant Ink eligible. Here’s the LINK to find out more about this program. It is just so nice never having to worry about running out of ink or how much it costs to buy more! Just one monthly flat fee depending on the plan you choose. So far I have used two printers with the Instant Ink program and have been very happy with HP’s service. Be aware that the ink that comes with the printer doesn’t last long, and you do have to wait for that initial shipment of ink. That wait time can be frustrating. But once the shipment starts, it is all good!

Another thing to consider when deciding on a printer is whether or not it has a borderless setting. This can be used when printing patterned paper, and you don’t want that white border around the edges of the paper. The borderless setting is optional. Keep in mind that most of the pages of Memorable Journals are designed to be used for the normal setting (NOT borderless). You can use the borderless setting for the pages with the patterns.

Paper

I tend to use 24 lb paper which is slightly thicker than the regular printer paper (that you find in copy machines) which is 20 lb. This 24 lb paper is great and very versatile. Since I make so many journals, I wait for a coupon and buy this paper by the carton!

On occasion, I use 28 lb paper if I plan to use dark and heavy markers, the design will use lots of ink, or if it’s for a coloring page. It’s nice to have that option so that nothing bleeds to the other side of the page. Some of the Memorable Journals sets do have a coloring page included, so it would be nice to have some of that heavier paper on hand!

This is what Staples has to say about the above 24# and 28# paper: “This inkjet & laser paper is also acid-free paper so printed documents will last longer. FSC Certification assures users that this paper is environmentally appropriate, and the Rainforest Alliance has also endorsed it.”

I enjoy using these papers as they are bright white and smooth and great for writing on.

24 lb paper is lighter.

28 lb paper is heavier.

Cardstock is nice to have on hand for the covers of the journals. Can also be used for journal cards. Here’s what I like to use, also from Staples. It is 110 lb paper.

Stapler and Staples 

I have found the near-perfect stapler for creating Memorable Journals and am so thrilled! It is a very strange-looking stapler, and it is perfect for our purposes! Check it out HERE on Amazon.  You can use standard-size staples for stapling together your journals of up to about 20 sheets (depending on the thickness of paper you’re using). Using this stapler to create my journals is such a joy! Having the staples be correctly aligned on the spine is so much easier than using a regular long-reach stapler! Imagine being able to quickly make many journals for yourself and for gifts for others. If this is something you imagine yourself doing, it will be well worth the purchase of this particular and very unique stapler.

(There is now a blog post about this topic if you would like even more information!)

Staple remover

Sometimes I want to “re” staple my journal (if the staple is not “perfectly” located on the spine).  This NIFTY DEVICE comes in very handy! This works so much better than the traditional staple remover as it won’t tear the paper.

Tape

Often I actually just use regular scotch tape to attach photos, mementos, and journal cards. If you are concerned about the archival quality of tape for attaching your items, you can use this TAPE.

Of course, washi tape is fun to use!

Pens

What can I say? Just about any pen will do! Some brands of pens say that only their black and blue pens are of “archival” quality so check for that if that is important to you.