When most people think of junk journal tags, they imagine a simple journaling card tucked into a pocket. While that is a beautiful and traditional use, it’s only the beginning of what tags can become.
Whether you’re working with vintage-style laundry tags, shipping tags, or printable ephemera kits, these small pieces of paper are some of the most versatile supplies in junk journaling. With a little imagination, they can move far beyond pockets and become interactive, decorative, and functional elements throughout your journal.
Before we dive into ideas, I want to show you how these tags can be transformed with just a simple distressing technique.
Watch: How I Distress Vintage Laundry Tags
If you’d like to see how I create aged, French-style vintage tags, I’ve shared a short 4-minute tutorial on YouTube.
👉 Watch the distressing process here: Watch
This quick video shows how to take plain tags and turn them into beautifully aged ephemera that works perfectly for junk journals, layering, and vintage-inspired projects.
Now let’s look at how you can actually use them.
1. Create Spine Dangles for Movement & Texture
Small tags are perfect for adding charm to your journal spine.
Attach them using ribbon, lace, twine, or jump rings to create dangling embellishments. Layering multiple small tags together creates a beautiful clustered effect that moves with the journal and adds instant vintage character.
2. Use Tags as Section Tabs
Tags make excellent functional dividers.
Attach them to page edges to create tabs that separate sections.
3. Turn Large Tags into Journaling Cards
One of the most versatile uses for tags is journaling space.
Decorate the front with collage, stamping, or ephemera, and leave the back open for writing. Use them for:
- Memory keeping
- Quotes and affirmations
- Sketching
- Daily journaling
Then tuck them into pockets or envelopes for safe keeping.
4. Add Hidden Notes & Personal Messages
Tags are perfect for secret journaling.
Write private thoughts, poetry, gratitude lists, or memories on the back and hide them inside pockets. These hidden layers add emotional depth and storytelling to your journal.
5. Create Mini Notepads
Large tags can easily become miniature notepads.
Stack small sheets of paper behind a tag and bind them with staples, stitching, or adhesive. The tag becomes a decorative cover while the inside pages become a functional writing pad.
Perfect for journaling on the go.
6. Decorate Envelopes & Pocket Layers
Tags don’t always need to be removable.
Attach them directly onto envelopes, pockets, or fold-outs as layered embellishments. They work beautifully as labels, focal points, or decorative accents that enhance depth on a page.
7. Make Interactive Pull Tabs
Tags are naturally easy to grip, making them ideal for interactive elements.
Use them for pull-tabs that reveal:
- Hidden journaling
- Secret pockets
- Flip-outs
- Mini booklets
They add both function and visual interest.
8. Use Tags on Journal Covers
Don’t save your best pieces for inside pages.
A beautifully aged tag can become the focal point of your journal cover. Layer it with lace, fabric, buttons, and ephemera to create a cohesive vintage-inspired design.
It instantly sets the tone for the entire journal.
9. Turn Tags into Handmade Bookmarks
Tags make beautiful and practical bookmarks.
Add ribbon, lace, or tassels to the top and you have a functional piece for books, journals, planners, or recipe collections.
They also make thoughtful handmade gifts when paired with journals or books.
10. Use Tags as Gift Tags & Happy Mail Pieces
Vintage-style tags are perfect for gifting and packaging.
Use them as:
- Gift tags
- Happy mail embellishments
- Journal swap extras
- Handmade packaging accents
They are small, meaningful, and reusable—perfect for adding a handmade touch.
Look Beyond the Pocket: Rethink Your Tags
The beauty of junk journaling is freedom and creativity.
The next time you reach for your junk journal tags, try not to see them only as tuck-ins. They can become bookmarks, dangles, tabs, mini notepads, hidden messages, cover features, and so much more.
Sometimes the smallest supplies become the most versatile when you simply start looking at them differently.
This week I’ve been creating with my French Laundry Tags digital kit, experimenting with different ways to use tags. It’s been a reminder that simple supplies often hold the most creative potential when you let yourself explore new ideas.
I’d love to know how you use tags in your journals—do you keep them traditional or love experimenting with new ideas? Share your inspiration in the comments below.
Leave a Reply