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journaling, paper crafts
Paper crafting comes with a lot of beautiful overlap, which is part of the fun, but it can also be confusing. If you’ve ever wondered what makes a junk journal different from a gluebook or a scrapbook, you’re not alone.
These three creative formats all use paper, scraps, and memory-keeping in some way, but each one has its own purpose and feel.
Understanding the difference can help you choose the format to focus on and to experiment with. Do you want to preserve memories in a unique way? Or do you love the idea of turning old papers into something new? In this article you’ll finally understand the difference and choose your paper craft that matches your personality and creative goals.
Junk Journal vs Gluebook vs Scrapbook: What’s the Difference?
What Is a Scrapbook?
A scrapbook is usually made to preserve memories. It’s a place to store photos, keepsakes, journaling, and decorative elements that document a person, event, or chapter of life.
Scrapbooks often feel more structured and intentional than the other two forms.
People usually create scrapbooks around themes like birthdays, holidays, weddings, travel, family milestones, or baby memories. The pages often include captions, dates, journaling, and embellishments that help tell a clear story. A scrapbook is meant to be both meaningful and visually polished.
What Is a Junk Journal?
A junk journal is a handmade journal created from repurposed materials. Instead of starting with a blank, clean notebook, junk journals are often built from old book pages, envelopes, packaging, fabric scraps, tickets, receipts, and other found papers. The appeal is in the layering, texture, and imperfect charm.
Unlike scrapbooking, junk journaling is not always focused on preserving one specific memory or event.
Some people use junk journals for writing, collage, sketching, collecting ephemera, or simply enjoying the process of making the book itself.
A junk journal is often more expressive, relaxed, and freeform.
What Is a Gluebook?
A gluebook is the simplest and most playful of the three. It is usually a notebook or journal filled mainly with glued-in scraps, images, magazine cutouts, stickers, and paper bits.
There is usually very little pressure to make it neat, themed, or meaningful in a traditional sense.
Gluebooks are often used for collage practice, visual experimentation, or creative play. They’re great if you enjoy combining colors, shapes, and images without worrying too much about the final result.
A gluebook can feel like an art sketchbook but still stays quick, instinctive, and low-pressure.
Which One Should You Try?
If you love keeping memories in a beautiful, organized way, a scrapbook may be the best fit. If you enjoy working with old papers, vintage textures, and handmade book structures, a junk journal might feel more inspiring.
If you want something easy, fun, and creatively open-ended, a gluebook is a lovely place to begin. If you are an artist it also could be the basis to start from and inspire you to make more intentional artwork.
You do not have to choose just one. Many paper crafters move between all three depending on their mood, materials, and creative goals.
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By
Noor Deleersnyder
Updated on
10 May 2026
