If you’ve been putting off starting paper crafting because you think you need a mountain of supplies and a serious budget to match… this post is for you.
The truth? You can get everything you actually need to start making beautiful cards, scrapbook pages and journal spreads for under $100. No expensive cutting machines, no overwhelming hauls. Just simple, well-chosen supplies that will have you creating projects you love from day one.
Here’s exactly what I’d buy if I was starting paper crafting all over again. 💛
They all come from Journalsay and when you use code CREATEDBYGWEN you’ll get 8% OFF your order.
The Essential Tools
Every paper crafter needs a reliable set of core tools and the good news is, they don’t need to cost a lot.
Scissors are your most-reached-for tool, so don’t skip on these. A sharp, comfortable pair makes all the difference when you’re trimming papers and cutting details. I’ve had this particular pair of scissors for years now and they are great for every crafting need, including fussy cutting, cutting tapes and papers.
A Paper Trimmer is a game-changer for clean, straight cuts on cards and scrapbook pages. This A5 bidirectional trimmer is compact, beginner-friendly and so satisfying to use. If you’re doing a lot of 12 x 12 paper crafting such as Scrapbooking, this trimmer is a better choice. I also have a mini guillotine trimmer which I use for trimming down photos, the big benefit to a trimmer like this is that the blade never needs replacing.
Adhesives
Nobody talks about adhesives enough, but trust me the right ones will save your projects. They can be a very personal choice and over the years, I’ve learned which ones are my favourite.
Double-sided dot glue is endlessly useful. Clean, no-mess and perfect for layering papers and sticking down elements without any warping.
Foam squares Add instant dimension to your layouts. Pop a sticker or die cut on one of these and suddenly your page has depth. Beginners love these.
Double sided Tape Used for almost everything, card assembly, scrapbook pages and mini albums.
Stamps & Ink
Stamping is one of the most satisfying parts of paper crafting, and you really only need a small, curated set to start.
For ink pads, I’d recommend picking up two to start — a classic black for crisp outlines and a warm brown for that vintage, aged look that works beautifully with nature-inspired projects. If you have a little more to spend, this fast drying pigment ink is one of the industry’s best. You could also invest in a coloured ink set which will give you lots of creative options.
For Stamps, these three are wonderful starter picks:
- Butterfly & Backgrounds Stamp Set — delicate, versatile and works across cards, journals and scrapbook pages alike.
- Vintage English Text & Butterfly Stamp — that aged stationery feel, perfect as a background or focal stamp.
- Wooden Vintage Plant — A simple design with a more organic, handcrafted impression. Perfectly imperfect design that’s super easy to use.
- Stamp Block – You’ll need one of these when working with soft acrylic stamps. This is what you mount your silicone stamps onto for crisp, even impressions every single time.
Papers & Stationery
Paper is where the magic really starts. Here’s a mix that gives you versatility without overwhelm:
- Vintage Stationery Memo Pad (60 sheets) — Beautifully printed literary-style paper that works as both a background and a layering element.
- Nature-Inspired Paper Pack (Brown + Green) — Earthy, warm tones with tree and leaf prints. Gorgeous for botanical-style pages.
- Mixed Floral Paper Collection (Yellow) — A brighter pop of colour with vintage floral patterns.
- Paper with Butterfly Prints — Soft and detailed, ideal for nature-themed projects.
- Instagram-Style Memo Pad — Retro garden-style mini papers, perfect for adding journaling spots and accents.
- Scrapbooking Paper Kit (Post Office / Floral Series) — A full kit with coordinated prints, so everything works together straight out of the pack.
And of course, you need somewhere to create! This A6 Literary Embossed Flower & Leaf Journal is the perfect beginner’s canvas — beautiful on the outside, ready for your creativity on the inside.
Washi & PET Tapes
Tapes are one of the most addictive parts of paper crafting — and for good reason. They’re easy to use, forgiving and instantly elevate any page.
- Vintage Plant & Flower Washi Tape (60mm) — Wide enough to use as a background strip or border. Stunning vintage botanical prints.
- Plain Washi Tape Set (5 rolls) — Neutral and floral tones that coordinate with almost any palette.
- PET Tape — Clouds & Rainbow — A whimsical, semi-transparent tape that adds softness and layering without covering what’s underneath.
- Vintage Smudge PET Tape — This one is special. It mimics the look of aged ink and paint smudges for a beautifully textured, artistic feel.
Stickers & Die Cuts
Here’s where you can really have fun. These are the finishing touches that bring a page to life:
- PET Sticker Notebook — Yellow + Pink — A full book of vintage floral transparent stickers. Elegant and incredibly versatile.
- Cute Floral PET Sticker (Yellow & Orange with embossed detail) — These have a gorgeous textured finish that catches the light beautifully.
- Vintage Plant PET Sticker — Botanical-style transparents for layering over papers and tapes.
- Orange Cat PET Sticker — Because every paper crafter needs at least one cute cat sticker book in their collection. 🐱
- Cat & Book PET Sticker — colourful and playful, these add personality to any page.
- Girl with Umbrella PET Sticker — a sweet travel-inspired character sticker with cats and dogs. Perfect for storytelling pages.
- Vintage Butterfly Die Cuts — Beautiful cut-out butterflies ready to pop onto any project.
- Smudge Sticker Set Butterflies & Lace — Dreamy, painterly butterfly stickers with a vintage smudge effect.
- Vintage Plant Background Sticker — Large-format stickers designed to use as a background layer. A clever shortcut for stunning pages.
- Vintage Word Stickers — English text in a vintage typographic style. Perfect for adding meaning and visual interest.
- Vintage Flower Sticker Box Set — Boxed collection of floral stickers with that classic, timeless feel.
Pens & Markers
Last but not least — a set of Acrylic markers (9-piece set) in soft, painterly tones. These are brilliant for adding handwritten titles, colouring stamped images or adding painted details to your pages and come in every colour of the rainbow.
The Full List at a Glance
| Category | Items |
|---|---|
| Tools | Scissors, Paper Trimmer, Stamp Block |
| Adhesives | Dot Glue, Foam Squares |
| Stamps & Ink | 2 Ink Pads, 3 Stamps (Silicone x2, Wooden x1) |
| Paper | 7 Paper Packs + Journal |
| Tapes | 4 Washi/PET Tape options |
| Stickers & Die Cuts | 11 Sticker/Die Cut packs |
| Markers | 9-piece Acrylic Marker Set |
Ready to Start?
Every single item in this list came from Journalsay and the whole haul came in under $100.
**Use code CREATEDBYGWEN for 8% OFF your order**
If you want to see all of these supplies unboxed AND watch me create three beginner-friendly pages using nothing but what’s in this list, the full video is right here 👇
Happy crafting, my creative friend. 💛
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