What Is a Signature? A Simple Beginner's Guide to Junk Journaling

If you're new to junk journaling, you've probably heard the word signature and wondered what everyone is talking about.

The good news is that a signature is much simpler than it sounds.

What Is a Signature?

A signature is simply a group of papers folded together.

That's it.

Instead of binding individual pages one at a time, junk journals are usually made from several folded sections. Each of these sections is called a signature.

A finished journal might contain:

• one signature for a small journal
• two or three signatures for a medium journal
• several signatures for a larger journal

These signatures are then attached to a journal cover to create the finished book.

Why Do Junk Journals Use Signatures?

Signatures help give your journal structure.

They make it easier to:

• organise pages
• add decorative elements
• include pockets, tags and tuck spots
• allow the journal to expand as you add layers

Without signatures, creating a journal can feel much more complicated.

Think of a signature as the building block of your journal.

What Can You Use to Make a Signature?

One of the lovely things about junk journaling is that there are very few rules.

You can create signatures using:

• printer paper
• scrapbook paper
• printable journal kits
• book pages
• music paper
• tea-dyed paper
• vellum
• vintage papers
• almost anything lightweight enough to fold

Every combination creates a slightly different look and feel.

How to Make a Simple Signature

If you'd like to make your first signature, here's a very simple method.

Step 1: Gather Your Papers

Choose a small selection of papers.

You might use:

• a few sheets of plain writing paper
• several printable pages
• one or two decorative papers for interest

Step 2: Arrange the Papers

Place the papers into a stack in the order you'd like them to appear in your journal.

You might alternate:

• plain and decorative papers
• light and dark papers
• smooth and textured papers

Step 3: Fold the Papers

Carefully fold the entire stack in half.

You can simply crease the papers with your hands or lightly score the centre first if you prefer a cleaner fold.

No special tools are required.

And that's your signature.

Does It Have to Be Perfect?

Absolutely not.

In fact, one of the biggest mistakes beginners make is worrying too much about perfection.

Your folds do not have to be exact.

Your papers do not have to match perfectly.

Your pages might not line up completely evenly.

All of this is normal.

You can always trim the edges later if you'd like a neater finish.

The most important thing is simply getting started.

What's Next?

Once you've made a signature, the next step is creating a journal cover and attaching the signature to it.

That's where your journal really begins to take shape.

For now, enjoy experimenting with different papers and seeing what combinations you like best.

Junk journaling should feel creative, personal and enjoyable — not intimidating.

Happy Creating,

Angela x

Paper and Bloom

P.S. If you're more of a visual learner, I've also created a simple, no-nonsense video tutorial to guide you through making your first signature. Pop the kettle on, gather a few papers, and follow along at your own pace. Find it here.

P.P.S. If you'd like a few more papers to add to your signature, you're always welcome to explore the Paper & Bloom collection. From decorative pages to complete kits, everything is designed to take some of the guesswork out of choosing papers that work beautifully together. Visit Paper and Bloom.