Bullet journaling is a complex hobby that requires a lot of tools and equipment to try. To get you started on your journey, here is everything you need to begin bullet journaling!
Journal
First and foremost, you need to look into getting a journal. You can hardly create a bullet journal without some paper to draw on.
The most obvious choice for a journal is, of course, an actual bullet journal. These journals have dotted paper. The dotted paper makes it easier for you to create your spreads. Dots are great because they provide a guide for your lines. But mostly, they are great because don’t disrupt your design. The dots are small and therefore, not very visible. It helps to make spreads when nothing is in the way. Lined paper can be disruptive when it comes to creating spreads.
If you are looking for some dotted paper journals, there are plenty of good ones. One of the most notable bullet journals is the Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal. It is usually the journal people pick to start journaling. It was my first journal too. The journal worked for a while, but the pages were too thin for me.
There are lots of other bullet journals out there, like the Scribbles That Matter, Dingbats, and so many more. However, I will always advocate for Archer & Olive Bullet Journals. (I don’t get any compensation from them. They just create my favourite journals.)
However, if you are not ready to invest in a dotted bullet journal (because they are insanely expensive), there are other options. You can choose a regular and cheap lined notebook. Or if you don’t think you need the structure, you are welcome to use a blank notebook. Any option you choose is good as long as you have some paper to use.
Ruler
If you want to start bullet journaling, you definitely need a ruler. No matter what you plan to do or how you want to design your journal, you will need to create some lines. Without a ruler, you are kind of at a loss.
Personally, I use a small 15cm ruler. It is occasionally too small to create lines that extend through the whole page.
Here is a great 3 ruler package that I think will work great for your purposes. They are see-through and are, therefore, great for creating lines and spreads.
Pens
The next thing you need for your bullet journal is a bunch of pens. If you are just starting out, you can use any pen you want. You shouldn’t feel limited by the idea that you need the most expensive products to bullet journal. Bullet journal with whatever you choose.
However, fancy pens are popular for a reason. They make it easier to bullet journal.
To start, the best pens for bullet journaling are calligraphy pens. My favourites are the Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pens, both the soft and hard tip ones. They are great for creating lines with the pressure and amount of ink you need. There are other calligraphy pens out there if you prefer to try a different brand, but the Tombow Fudenosuke Pens are the ones I suggest.
The most important pens you need are your fineliners. These are the pens you need to create your lines and spreads. For fineliners, I would not suggest any other than the Pigma Micron Pens. They are my favourite fineliners! They make perfect lines and come in plenty of sizes to make creating your spreads so much easier.
Pens are a necessity to start bullet journaling. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to buy all the fancy things you think you need, but keep in mind, the more you bullet journal, the more you’ll probably want to have more things. And you have to start somewhere!
Colours
The last thing on the list is colours. Now, you don’t really need them. Journaling in black and white is completely acceptable. But I do believe that colours make the journal more attractive, which might make you want to use it more.
When it comes to colours, I have a few options for you. First, we’ll start with markers. Most people, when they begin journaling, use Crayola Super Tips. They work great for adding colour to your spreads, but you can also use them to create coloured calligraphy fonts if you learn how. I have done that before and the letters come out really beautiful.
When people start to get more into bullet journaling, they typically go for two different markers. First, the Tombow Dual Brush Pens. These are the markers that I use. They work great! I highly recommend them, especially because they come with a brush pen tip which makes it easier to create calligraphy with these markers. Next, we have the Zebra Pen Mildliners. I have personally never tried them, but I hear great things. They are perfect for colouring in your spreads and adding that pop of colour.
Lastly, to add some colour to your spreads, you might just want to try something basic, like some coloured pencils. They don’t add that pop of colour or wow factor quite as much as markers, but they still work great. And if you are working with thinner paper, they might be a better choice.
There you have it! Everything you need to start bullet journaling. A journal, ruler, pens, and markers. There is still so much more out there to really make your bullet journal shine, but before any of that, you need the basics. With the basics in hand, you can create whatever spread you want. The fancy stuff comes later. Start simple and see where it takes you!
Related Articles
- How to Make Your Bullet Journal Beautiful: The Best Bujo Products
- How to Start Your New Bullet Journal: Creative Spreads for Your Bujo
