5 Essential Bullet Journal Supplies Every BuJo Enthusiast Needs
Imagine a world where your to-do lists, goals, and creative inspirations all coexist in one beautifully organized space. Welcome to the world of bullet journaling, a trendy and transformative way to bring order to your life.
But here's the thing: to truly elevate your BuJo game, you need the right bullet journal supplies. That's why we've rounded up the five essential bullet journal supplies every BuJo enthusiast needs. From the perfect dot grid notebook to versatile pens and colorful brush pens, these tools will not only help you stay organized but also unleash your creativity.
By the end of this article, you'll have all the knowledge you need to take your bullet journal to new heights. Get ready to transform your BuJo experience and make your organizational dreams a reality. Are you excited? Let's dive in!
Psst if you are new to bullet journaling please check out How to Bullet Journal for Beginners.
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The Perfect Dot Grid Notebook
The dot grid notebook provides the foundation for your bullet journal. It is the most important tool for your journal. When it comes to keeping track of important tasks, notes, and ideas, there's no better companion than a perfect dot grid notebook.
A5 is just the right size for carrying around, and the dotted lines provide enough structure to keep everything organized while still remaining simple enough to make use of a variety of organizational schemes. Plus, the dotted lines give plenty of space for sketches and drawings to accompany notes and ideas. Whether you need a notebook for brainstorming, planning, or jotting down ideas, the perfect dot grid notebook will be your best friend.
Below are very popular journals, and for good reason.
The pages have a .5 cm dot grid and lay perfectly flat when opened. It has many additional features to make journaling easy and fuss-free. Designed with an elastic pen loop, pen test pages, a key code page, pre-printed index pages and an expandable inner back pocket for paperwork or stickers, this dot journal notebook is perfect for keeping your life organized and noting down memories and achievements.
Lies flat, an awesome feature is the grid guide, vegan leather cover, Index, Key and Pen test page.
A5 Archer and Olive Dot grid Notebooks - The notebooks have very thick 160gsm paper and have 160 pages. No ghosting or bleeding. The pages have a .5 cm dot grid and lay perfectly flat when opened.
Coupon Code SUNFLOWERCHILD10
The main difference with this one is that the pages are more of a cream color. So if you prefer that color then this journal is for you.
The Perfect Binder for Journaling
If you use a binder instead of a hardbound journal (like myself) so you can add, remove, and rearrange pages as you please then you will need a trusty binder!
The perfect journaling binder should be able to store all of your notes, thoughts, and ideas in an organized and structured way. It should be easy to use and provide enough space to store all of your content.
The binder should be lightweight and portable so you can take it with you wherever you go. Look for a binder that is made of high-quality material that will last and provide enough protection to keep your notes safe. Make sure it has pockets if needed, dividers, and other features to help you further customize and organize your binder. Lastly, choose a design that is pleasing to your eyes and captures your personality to make it uniquely yours.
This is my FAVORITE! I prefer the 3 hole instead of 6 for an A5 binder because you can fit more pages. My must haves with any binder are:
Printables to easy create pages
This holds more paper than the previous one listed. It has 2 pockets and has a nice feel to it. This is my 2nd favorite. I love that this one is 1.5 inches you can fit a lot of pages in this one. You will also need the must haves already listed above for any binder you choose. The hole punch etc.
A 2 inch ring is very hard to come by in an A5 sized binder. It’s not the prettiest but you can customize the cover and spine because you can insert a piece of paper.
If you like a full US Ltr sized binder this one is perfection! The down side is there are no pockets. But you could add a clear insert if you need one.
Versatile Pens for Every Need
Remember, the pens you choose are more than just writing tools—they are an extension of your creativity and self-expression. So take the time to explore different brands, colors, and pen types to find the ones that resonate with you and make you excited to open your bullet journal each day.
When it comes to versatile pens for your bullet journal, there are a few key characteristics to look for. First and foremost, you'll want pens that provide smooth and consistent ink flow. This will make writing and drawing in your journal a breeze, allowing you to focus on the creative process without the frustration of skips or smudges.
In addition to smoothness, the versatility of your pens is crucial. Look for pens that can handle a range of tasks, from writing headers and dates to filling in intricate doodles or illustrations. This way, you won't need to switch between multiple pens and disrupt your flow as you move from one task to another.
Another factor to consider is the durability of your pens. You want pens that can withstand the wear and tear of daily use, without drying out or breaking easily. This is particularly important if you plan on carrying your bullet journal around with you or using it on the go.
I will be shocked if there is a bullet journal junkie that does not have this set! The pigment is amazing and the ink never skips. The various sizes ensure that you always have the perfect pen for what you are trying to achieve.
The nib is .7mm it is not too thick or too thin. I like to use this for writing paragraphs.
This is the perfect sized pen for writing headers in an A5 journal. A perfect brush pen will not make you better at hand lettering but a bad brush pen will make you worse than you are. This inexpensive brush pen is a must for most bullet journalers.
Adding Colors with Markers, Brush Pens and Metallics
In addition to the essential tools we've discussed, there's one more element that can take your bullet journal to the next level: color. While a simple black pen may work for some tasks, incorporating vibrant colors into your BuJo can truly elevate its visual appeal. Whether you want to differentiate various sections, highlight important notes, or simply infuse a dose of brightness into your pages, having a variety of colors at your disposal will open up a world of creative possibilities.
These are inexpensive and a must! You get many colors and these are beginner friendly because they are not a brush tip pen. You can even use them to create faux calligraphy.
These are a great pack to start with because Crayola Supertips do not have these Neutral colors that most strive for.
Brush pens are a fantastic addition to any bullet journal enthusiast's toolkit. With their flexible, brush-like tips, they offer the ability to create both thin, delicate lines and rich, bold strokes. This versatility allows you to experiment with different lettering styles, headers, and decorative elements within your journal. Used in conjunction with the dot grid, brush pens provide the perfect opportunity to add artistic flourishes and personalized touches to your pages.
Incorporating metallic markers or pens can add an extra touch of elegance and shine to your bullet journal. Whether you opt for gold, silver, or even rose gold, the metallic sheen of these pens adds a touch of luxury to your designs. Use them to accentuate important dates, headers, or borders, or to simply add a bit of sparkle to your pages. The metallic effect stands out beautifully against the crisp lines of the dot grid, creating an eye-catching contrast that will enhance the overall aesthetic of your BuJo.
By adding colors with brush pens and metallics, you have the opportunity to transform your bullet journal into a visually stunning masterpiece.
Essential Tools for Precision and Correction
You can achieve a high level of precision with the right tools. Investing in high-quality pens and markers that create sharp clean lines in various colors and widths can help you to make each page look crisp and professional. Pens that are waterproof and fade-proof can also save you time and energy in the long run. Erasers, mechanical pencils, and rulers allow for quick fixes and help you to make clean, straight lines. Utilizing these tools will ensure that you have a bullet journal you are proud to show off and that will last for years to come.
One tool that should be a staple in every BuJo enthusiast's collection is a high-quality ruler. A ruler is an invaluable tool for creating straight lines, precise borders, and accurately measured grids. Look for a ruler that is sturdy and transparent, allowing you to see through it and align it perfectly with your dot grid. With a reliable ruler by your side, you can achieve the clean and professional look that your bullet journal deserves. I love using the 6 inch for most pages in an A5 journal. It is especially great for traveling. Having the 12 inch is a must as well so this combo is perfection.
In addition to a ruler, having an eraser specifically designed for ink, markers, and colored pencils is essential. This type of eraser is gentle yet effective, allowing you to erase mistakes without damaging the paper or smudging any surrounding ink. Whether you're fixing a crooked line, erasing pencil guidelines, or removing a stray mark, this eraser will give you the precision and control you need for flawless corrections. This eraser works on ink, markers, colored pencils and more!
This Gelly roll size 10 is handy to have when fixing mistakes. If you need to cover up line you can use this gel pen to cover up the mistake.
Say GOODBYE to glue sticks. This crafters tape works instantly and these refills are the cheapest on amazon even compared to a 40% off coupon from hobby lobby!
Stencils are an essential tool for a consistent look and feel throughout pages and spreads. They help keep content symmetrical, and can also act as a frame for all kinds of creative designs. Stencils are also incredibly useful for drawing lines and grids, so users can organize their content in a neat and organized fashion. With the help of quality stencils, bullet journaling can be taken to the next level of professionalism and precision. This one is great for drawing circles.
This one is great for mini calendars or habit trackers. When it comes to stencils less is more. This time it takes to go through a ton of stencils and choose what you want to use takes too much time in my opinion. I love to have a few that I know I will use often.
This one has weekly and calendar stencils. Note that these are plastic and not as sturdy as the metal ones. This is a great set to have if you want to save time on spacing calendars and weekly spreads.
These mini calendars are great for monthly habit tracker pages. Create your monthly habit tracker page within 5 minutes!
Stamps come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can find the perfect option for your needs. Plus, they offer convenience and accuracy when creating labels and captions for your pages. They are the ideal way to quickly and easily dress up your bullet journal. Whether you're looking for a quick way to add a sentiment to your page or want to spruce up a weekly spread, there's a stamp for you. Stamps take the guesswork out of lettering and help you create a stylish and memorable look.
Decorative Elements to Enhance Your Pages
One of the most popular decorative elements in bullet journaling is washi tape. This decorative tape comes in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and designs, making it perfect for adding borders, headers, or even creating intricate patterns on your pages. The best part is that washi tape is easily removable, so if you make a mistake or want to change up the design, you can simply peel it off and start again.
One of my favorite sets. I tend to lean more towards neutral colors this is a great set to get all the neutral colors.
This grid set is very popular.
Incorporating this festive washi tape into your journaling can add a special touch, making it even more fun and creative! If you’re feeling stuck on what to do with your papercrafts, this tape allows you to easily experiment with different layouts and drawing media. You can spruce up your pictures, embellish envelopes, and enclose cards with it. You can even create unique patterns and borders to add a personal touch to your projects. Whether you’re an experienced paper crafter or just starting out, this washi tape will add a touch of holiday cheer to your artwork.
Washi tape For the galaxy and moon lovers.
Stickers are another fabulous option for enhancing your pages. You can find a plethora of stickers specifically designed for bullet journaling, with various themes and motifs to suit your taste. From cute animals and floral designs to motivational quotes and icons, stickers are a quick and easy way to add visual interest and personality to your BuJo. They can also be used to mark important dates or events, making your journal both functional and visually appealing.
This set is great so you have all the holiday themed stickers.
Very neutral and black and white deco stickers.
Adorable monthly header stickers
With these decorative elements at your disposal, you can let your creativity run wild and transform your bullet journal into a true work of art. From washi tape and stickers to colored markers and stencils, these tools offer endless possibilities for adding flair and personalization to your BuJo. So, get ready to unleash your inner artist and take your bullet journaling to the next level.
In conclusion,
These 5 essential bullet journal supplies are the key to unlocking your BuJo potential. Armed with the perfect dot grid notebook, versatile pens, vibrant brush pens, essential precision tools, and decorative elements, you'll be equipped to tackle any project and create stunning, customized pages. So don't wait any longer—transform your BuJo experience and bring your organizational dreams to life.
As you embark on this creative journey, remember the words of Steve Jobs: "The only way to do great work is to love what you do." With your newfound tools and love for your bullet journal, there's no limit to the incredible content you can create.
So, go forth, unleash your creativity, and let your bullet journal become a vessel for your ideas, dreams, and aspirations. Start today and watch as your organizational dreams become a reality.