If you're new to designing journals, here are some helpful recommendations!
Painting
You can use painters tape to protect the inside cover of your journal while you work. That will help keep the inside clean!
It is not necessary to “gesso” your journal before painting. If you’re using a lighter color for the background, you might have to paint two coats before you get to your design.
When you paint the “creases” of your journal, make sure to not let paint glob in the crease. Use your brush to lightly brush excess paint out of the crease.
Paints
Any kind of paint will work on blanks, but DecoArt Americana acrylic paints are our favorite brand.
Brushes
Any brushes will work on blanks, but a set like this should be more than enough! Look for a set that has one big flat brush, one medium pointy brush, and one tiny pointy brush.
Finishing your Journal
When you’re done with your journal, dried acrylic paint is not at risk to smear or rub off. If you chose to add words with one of the pens above to your journal, that IS at risk to rub off or fade over time. We would then recommend “sealing” your journal in some way! There are many options, but we use Krylon Matte Finish.
* If you mess up on your journal, a few coats of paint should cover it up and give you the opportunity to start over! Remember to NOT do a second or third layer of paint in the “crease” of the journal, then it would be at risk to start to crack!
