Today it’s all about DIY disc bound art journal. They are easy to make and you can customize them based on what you like. Pick the paper, the size and even the disc color!
You can see some of my art journal layouts in my 6×6 disc bound journal HERE and HERE
In the video I discuss the advantages of this system as I demonstrate how I made my own 8×8 disc bound art journal. To punch the holes I used the Happy Planner Punch ( SBC ) . It has 8 hole punches and you can punch up to #140 lb paper (300 g/m2) if you punch one sheet at a time. I also share a tip in the video, on how you can use washi tape so that all your punched pages align perfectly.
In terms of paper you can use any type you like! In the video I work with #140 watercolor paper but you can use Ranger Mixed Media Heavystock ( SBC | SSS | JGG ), yupo, glossy paper, anything you can punch really! The sky is the limit with this system. You can even add pages in different shapes and sizes to add visual interest to your art journal.
Disc Bound Art Journal advantages
The disc bound art journal gives you lots of freedom when you are a beginner. No pressure on what to do if you don’t like the page… just don’t put it back in the discs. It also gives you the opportunity to use lots of techniques without the fear that the sprays may go all over the other pages, the paints may bleed or the water may warp your book ! You can go wild here plus it’s easy to use your gelli plate. Oh and you can be more dimensional with your art!
Also the books are expandable with this system, if it gets too bulky use bigger rings. Or split the pages to more disc bound art journals!
You can watch the video below or at my YouTube channel.
Supplies
Most of the products are ON SALE so check them out. Links to multiple online stores provided below. Affiliate links used at no extra cost to you.
|
Thank you for visiting!
Vicky, I bought the watercolor disc-bound journal from Joggles, but I could see that it’s something I’d like to customize. I found the Tul punch made for disc-binding. It was more expensive than the one you’ve shown, but it’s also very heavy duty. I’m just mentioning this as an option for some of your readers. I bought mine at Office Depot. Love your post!
Unas muy buenas y útiles ideas, gracias.
Thank you for your very informative video. It sounds like making your own journal would be very easy and I like the idea that you can make it the size you want.
Thank you for the great tips on making my own art journal.
This is really great. Thank you so much for posting it. I love that you can customize your journal to your own needs. ?
Thanks Vicky for this super informative video. The first time I saw the disc boundet journals was on your side an my daughter and I were immediately in love with them. Now you telling whe can make them just the size whe want, thats great! I think I would prefere a 8″ x 8″ journal. So I have enough space to play.
I think there is beside the convenience of not making a mess in your journal an other great possibility with pages that are loose, you can put them trough your die cutting machine for a special opening in you page, of course you then need a page that is not to big.
I love this Vicky, a great way to make your own in whatever size you want or need. Also this would be nice to do in order to make as gifts for friends or family who like art journaling.
Hi Vicky, I don’t know which size I prefer, but I love this idea. I am kinda anal about my pages and how they might “mess”up my art journals, and this seems like the perfect solution for me. I like that I can remove the pages and do my thing and then replace them. OR, just leave them out if I don’t like what I did. I think I would probably go with the 8 inch size. More room to work and PLAY!!
Thanks for your inspiration!
I’m loving my 6×6 Joggles art journal! It’s the first time I’ve tried art journaling and I really like it at lot. Such a great place to just play with techniques I’d like to try or ideas I have or whatever. I was just thinking the other day about how I could make my own art journal by using mixed media paper (I have a pad), using a three hole punch (which I have); and adding some binder rings (which I have from a previous project and haven’t known what to do with the left overs!!). I have all the supplies I need!! And since the journal is just for me (as I’ve heard you say) I don’t mind that it doesn’t have a cover or isn’t fancy. I have been considering what size I would make it and think either an 8×8 or a 8 1/5 x 11 size. Not sure about that yet. 6×6 is great for a beginner like me and I’m already finding that I would like to work with a slightly bigger page so I can do more with it. Thanks so much, Vicky!!
Oops! I meant 8×8 or 8-1/2 x 11. I’m also thinking that making my own art journal I can add some pages with watercolor paper if I like or need to.
I was wondering if you would do this! After seeing your last few art journal pages, I tore apart my journals last weekend and converted them to disc bound. I couldn’t be more pleased with the new binding! Thanks for sharing your tips!
Thanks so much for providing the information about the punch binding system for art journals! It looks like it resolves many of the bound journal issues. It would also allow you to work on more than one page at a time.
Thanks Vicky, that was fabulous!! I actually bought all the “ingredients” a while ago and was planing to do my art journal myself. It was soooo nice to see you do it as I didn’t think of the washi tape for alignment – brilliant! Got even the same punch and discs 🙂 As for the paper, I picked up the Strathmore Mixed Media paper 140 lb in the size 6″x8″, so need to cut it down. Again, thanks for showing us, as it’s always nice to have a visual. Now I just have to make it 😉
oops, no need to cut it down, not so…. !! LOL
I have the Happy Planner punch and have wanted to try this after seeing your first disc-bound journal video. Great idea!
Hi there. I actually my art journals with 11×14 Neenah 110# Index card stock. (They fit perfectly when filed sideways in my Ikea Besta units.) I use the card stock just as mounting pages for my projects, rather than doing my journaling on it directly. That way, I can use whatever paper I want in whatever size I want. I can do what would amount to a 2-page spread or I can do tiny little squares. It kind of turns into a scrapbook of my projects, since I sometimes end up decorating the mounting pages as well! Anyhow, over the years, I’ve tried the same punch that you have, 2 of the ones from Staples, amongst others. I finally landed on the big monster punch from Levenger. It can punch something like 25 regular text pages, but the most I have put through at a time is 3-4 coverstock sheets or 2 watercolor sheets. I also really like their selection of ring sizes and materials. I am currently in love with the marble and metallic ones….the rose gold and the copper ones are dreamy! BTW, I also discbound my recipe cards and planner pages. It is awesome to be able to customize my own planner pages, pockets, dividers, etc. I have all the materials needed from cardmaking, so why not use it all?
Thanks for doing this video and sharing it with us. What a fun journal and can be used for so many different purposes. Thanks!