Essential Materials You Need to Successfully Bullet Journal

Bullet Journal (noun): the perfect mix between a daily reflection journal and a highly organized planner.

Bonus: you get to customize it EXACTLY how you would like.

I’d like to assume every single one of us goes through that phase where we think about (or attempt at) starting a daily journal. We write a couple days and then take a break. Before we know it, weeks have gone by and we haven’t written a single thing.

So much for that.

I personally tried a journal more times than I could count. And it never stuck. But then in January of 2019, I discovered bullet journalling. Bullet journalling was everything I needed in one. I got to journal daily, but there wasn’t a ton of pressure on filling the notebook up with that! I got to create a calendar, to-do lists, and weekly spreads to help organize my life!

And as someone who has THE WORST memory ever, this was HUGE!

Fast forward to October of 2020 and I’m finishing up my 4th bullet journal! I average 2 bullet journals per year, split up in 6 month increments!

In December, I will start designing my 5th bullet journal which I will begin using January 1, 2021. So, I figured I’d share some of my favorite bullet journal materials that I think you absolutely need!

MUST-HAVE BULLET JOURNAL MATERIALS

Bullet Journal – I use the Leuchtturm1917 Medium A5 Dotted Hardcover Notebook for all my bullet journals! I LOVE everything about this journal. It has ink proof paper, 250 pages, secure pages that don’t fall out or rip out, a band that closes the journal from the outside, and SO MANY COLOR OPTIONS. I just choose a new color for every single bullet journal.

WRITING MATERIALS

Pilot G2 Gel Pens – I use 2 different kinds of pens, but this first one is the Pilot G2 Gell Pins in black. These last forever which is great for writing the bulk of your journalling. The writing these pins create is so smooth and dark that I haven’t ever been able to find a better pen. However, you also need micron pens because while Pilot G2 pens are amazing for bulk writing, they will smear if you decide to use highlighters over them.

Micron Pens – Hear me out. I recommend you invest in these pens as well. They do not last near as long as the Pilot G2 pens, but they are VITAL to your bullet journal. I have the assorted sizes pack for outlining and headlines and the one-size pack for body text (regular writing). These pens are more expensive but absolutely will not smear with your highlighters!! That is well worth the extra few bucks.

Zebra Mildliners – These are some of THE BEST highlighters I have ever used in my entire life. I honestly can say I will never use another highlighter now that I’ve used Zebra Mildliners. These come in so many pretty, soft colors, and when used over or under Micron Pens, they are so beautiful and aesthetic that I get so excited to open and work on my bullet journal. You can buy these in several different packs.

Tombow Dual Brush Pens – While a little more expensive (high quality), I love using Tombow Dual Brush Pens for my designs. I use these for my headers and calligraphy to make my bullet journal look super artistic and cute. The range of color packs is insane and overwhelming and I can’t wait to own all of them someday.

DESIGN MATERIALS

Ruler – Rulers are super important to your bullet journalling, especially if you want your lines to be perfectly straight and if you want to trace symbols for your lists or calendars! I personally use this metal stencil right here, but I would also recommend you get a smaller clear plastic ruler for hard to reach spaces.

WhiteOut – I cannot tell you the amount of times I’ve messed up in my bullet journal. For a perfectionist it does seem like the end of the world, but I promise it’s not. I just keep my handy white out nearby to fix any mistakes the second they happen!

Tape – Tape is also a thing you don’t think about needing in a bullet journal, but throughout the months, you will come across many things you’ll want to save to document in your journal. Examples include movie tickets, game/concert tickets, receipts, handwritten notes, or printed photos. I just go simple with the tape I use. But if you’re thinking clear tape is a little too… bland for your taste, you can spruce up your tape with washi tape!

PHOTO MATERIALS

Sprocket Printer – This is really helpful for me. I love putting photos in my bullet journal, and printing never gives me the quality of photos I desire. The Sprocket Printer allows me to print photos straight from my phone, peel sticky backs off, and stick them right into my bullet journal! Definitely my favorite bullet journal material of all!

Sprocket Printer Paper – Obviously, with any printer, you need paper to print on. I get sprocket sticky back printer paper which I really love. As soon as the photos print, I’m able to peel off the back and stick it into my bullet journal right away!

SO THERE YOU HAVE IT

That concludes my list of the essential items I recommend if you want to bullet journal as flawlessly and successfully as possible! Now, seriously: Do you currently use any of these products? How long have you been bullet journaling? What first drew you to bullet journalling? I have so many questions! Let’s talk in the comments!