What supplies do I absolutely need to start bullet journaling?

At minimum, you need a notebook and a pen! That's the beauty of bullet journaling - you can start simple. A dotted notebook , a black pen, and a ruler will get you going. Add more supplies as you discover what you enjoy.

Is it worth investing in expensive pens and markers?

It depends on your style! If you enjoy adding color and art to your journal, quality pens will make a difference. If you keep things minimal, a good black fineliner might be all you need. Start small and invest gradually.

How do I stop my pens from bleeding through paper?

Look for notebooks with thicker paper (100gsm or higher) or test your pens on a back page first. For existing journals with thinner paper, you can skip the back of pages or use lighter media like colored pencils instead of markers.

What's better: loose inserts or a bound journal?

This comes down to personal preference! Bound journals keep everything together, while loose inserts offer flexibility. I prefer bound journals for my main planning but use inserts for collections I might want to move between journals.

How do I store all these supplies without creating clutter?

Start with categories - writing tools, adhesives, decorative items, etc. Keep your everyday essentials in one easily accessible place, and store specialty items separately. Clear containers help you see what you have without digging around.

The Ultimate Bullet Journal Supplies Guide: Everything You Need In 2026

Hey there, fellow bujo enthusiasts! If you’re anything like me, walking into a stationery store feels like a kid entering a candy shop. That excitement bubbling up when you spot new pens or washi tape? Yep, I get it completely! After years of bullet journaling, I’ve finally rounded up my absolute favorite bullet journal supplies that have transformed my planning game.

Last weekend, my 7-year-old spotted me organizing my bullet journal supplies and decided he wanted to “make lists” too. Watching him pick up my mildliners with such concentration made me realize how much these simple tools bring joy to our lives. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your bullet journal game, this guide has got you covered!

Quick heads up before we dive in! If you’re new to bullet journaling or just want to save some time setting up your spreads, grab my FREE Bullet Journal Starter Pages designed specifically for beginners. This ready-to-print template includes a key, index, future log, monthly log, weekly layout, and instruction pages – this is all you need right now to start your bullet journal without the stress of creating pages from scratch!

1. Pens & Markers: The Heart of Every Bullet Journal

A closed gray notebook with an elastic band lies on a white surface next to six assorted pens and markers.

Let’s be real – pens are probably what got most of us hooked on bullet journaling in the first place! I still remember buying my first set of fineliners and practicing those perfect headers.

Fineliners

My go-to pens for everyday writing and precise lines are:

Sakura Pigma Micron – I use the 01 and 03 sizes most often
Staedtler Pigment Liners – These last forever and don’t smudge

Brush Pens

For those gorgeous headers and calligraphy:

Tombow Dual Brush Pens – The dual tips make them super versatile
Pentel Fude Touch – More affordable but still give that beautiful brush effect

Gel Pens

Perfect for smooth writing and adding a bit of shine:

Pilot G2 – An everyday reliable pen that comes in tons of colors
Uni-ball Signo – The white one is perfect for writing on darker papers

Highlighters

Zebra Mildliners – These pastel highlighters changed my life! They add color without overwhelming your page

I keep all these organized in a roll-up pen case that sits right on my desk, ready for action whenever inspiration strikes.

2. Pencils & Erasers: For Those “Just in Case” Moments

A pink journal and a white marble-patterned notebook with two colored pencils placed diagonally on top.

I learned this lesson the hard way – always sketch layouts in pencil first! Nothing’s worse than messing up a header on the first page of a fresh journal.

Mechanical Pencils

Pentel GraphGear – Has a comfortable grip that doesn’t slip
Uni Kuru Toga – This clever pencil rotates the lead as you write so you always have a sharp point

Erasers

Tombow Mono Eraser – Erases cleanly without smudging
Staedtler Mars Plastic – An old reliable that never lets me down

3. Notebooks & Journals: The Foundation

A beige notebook labeled "My Boulllet Journal" sits on a white desk, surrounded by pens, markers, stickers, and paper clips—perfect as a bullet journal for beginners.

The journal you choose makes all the difference. Trust me, I’ve gone through dozens trying to find “the one.”

Leuchtturm1917

This was my first proper bullet journal, and I still come back to it. The dotted pages are perfectly spaced, and I love that they’re pre-numbered. The paper quality is decent, though there is some ghosting with heavier markers.

See here

Archer & Olive

If you want to step up your game with watercolors and brush pens, check these out. The 160gsm paper is a dream – no bleeding through! They’re pricier, but worth every penny if you use heavy media.

take a look here*

*(use this link to get 10% off)

Scribbles That Matter

This offers a great middle ground – good paper quality at a more affordable price. Their cute covers are an added bonus! Use the below link and enter SAVE10 to get 10% off your purchase!

See here

*(enter SAVE10 to get 10% off)

Moleskine

Classic and portable, but I’ll be honest – the paper is thinner, so be careful with what pens you use. It’s always a good idea to keep one in your bag for on-the-go notes.

take a look

📌 Related article: 10 Good Habits for an Organized Mom Life

4. Rulers & Stencils: For the Perfectly Straight Lines

Assorted colorful translucent geometric rulers and protractors overlapping on a white background.

Even after years of practice, my freehand lines still look like I drew them during an earthquake!

Metal Rulers

I prefer metal over plastic because they don’t lift when you draw along them. Plus, they last forever.

Stencils

Bullet journal-specific stencils save so much time when setting up spreads. You can also find some cools ones on Etsy for different sizes of boxes, banners, and icons.

Circle Templates

These are life-savers for mood trackers! I used to spend ages trying to draw perfect circles until I discovered these.

5. Washi Tape: Quick Decoration That Packs a Punch

A variety of decorative washi tapes are stacked in a pile, featuring patterns such as florals, polka dots, stripes, glitter, and strawberries.

My washi tape collection started innocently with three rolls. Now? Let’s just say I need a separate organizer just for them!

Themed Sets

I love having seasonal options – pastels for spring, warm tones for fall. It immediately transforms a simple spread into something seasonal.

Wide & Thin Variants

Wide tapes (15mm) are perfect for page dividers, while thin ones (5mm) work great for tiny accents or calendar markers.

Where to Buy

Etsy has unique handmade options, while Amazon is great for bulk buys. I’ve found some surprising gems at Target too!

6. Stickers & Printables: For When Time Is Short

Flat lay of coral-colored stationery items, glasses, pencil, notebook, heart, eraser, and decorative objects on a white and coral split background.

Some weeks are just busy – that’s when stickers and printables come to the rescue.

Planner Stickers

Date covers and small decorative elements save so much time. My son loves helping me choose which ones to use each week!

Functional Stickers

To-do checkboxes, habit trackers, and water intake counters make tracking so much easier.

Printable Kits

I’ve found amazing seasonal kits on Etsy that I can print at home whenever I need them.

7. Storage & Organization: Because Chaos Isn’t Creative

A computer monitor on a desk with a keyboard, stationery, calendar, books, and sticky notes labeled "START UP," "PLAN," and "IDEA" on the wall behind.

Nothing kills creativity faster than spending 20 minutes looking for that one pen you need!

Pencil Pouches

A good ideas would be to use a roll-up canvas one that ties closed – perfect for keeping pens organized by color and type.

Desktop Organizers

A simple cup for everyday pens and a drawer organizer for everything else keeps my desk functional. Amazon has lots of options.

Travel Cases

I have a small zippered pouch with just the essentials for journaling on the go or during my son’s activities.

8. Printable Bullet Journal Inserts: The Time-Savers

An open notebook displays a habit tracker and a reading log with colored markers, tape rolls, binder clips, and a stamp pad arranged on a red surface.

Mood Trackers

Circular and mandala-style trackers are both pretty and functional. I’ve found that having these ready to go makes me more likely to actually track my moods.

Habit Trackers

Pre-made habit trackers for water intake, exercise, and reading have been game-changers for staying consistent. Found this fantastic Mega Habit Tracker bundle with 45+ pages.

Hand Lettering Practice Pages

These helped me improve my headers so much! I practice while watching TV in the evenings.

Pre-made Layouts

Weekly spreads and meal planners save tons of time during busy weeks when I can’t design from scratch.

Sticker Sheets

Printable icon stickers for weather, moods, and activities make daily logging quick and consistent. Here are some cool ideas.

FAQs About Bullet Journal Supplies

A potted plant, spiral notebooks, and a cup filled with assorted pens and markers are arranged against a plain white background.

What supplies do I absolutely need to start bullet journaling?

At minimum, you need a notebook and a pen! That’s the beauty of bullet journaling – you can start simple. A dotted notebook, a black pen, and a ruler will get you going. Add more supplies as you discover what you enjoy.
Is it worth investing in expensive pens and markers?

It depends on your style! If you enjoy adding color and art to your journal, quality pens will make a difference. If you keep things minimal, a good black fineliner might be all you need. Start small and invest gradually.
How do I stop my pens from bleeding through paper?

Look for notebooks with thicker paper (100gsm or higher) or test your pens on a back page first. For existing journals with thinner paper, you can skip the back of pages or use lighter media like colored pencils instead of markers.
What’s better: loose inserts or a bound journal?

This comes down to personal preference! Bound journals keep everything together, while loose inserts offer flexibility. I prefer bound journals for my main planning but use inserts for collections I might want to move between journals.
How do I store all these supplies without creating clutter?

Start with categories – writing tools, adhesives, decorative items, etc. Keep your everyday essentials in one easily accessible place, and store specialty items separately. Clear containers help you see what you have without digging around.

Conclusions

A white notebook with a pink pen rests on a spiral-bound notepad, surrounded by bullet journal supplies, a cup of coffee, flower, paper clips, and decorative items on a pink desk.

Bullet journaling isn’t just about staying organized – it’s about creating a system that brings you joy. The supplies you choose should make that process easier and more enjoyable. You don’t need everything listed here to start – in fact, it’s better to build your collection slowly as you discover your personal style.

Remember when I mentioned my son wanting to make lists? That moment reminded me that at its heart, bullet journaling is simply about putting pen to paper and making something meaningful. The fancy supplies are fun, but the real magic happens when you create something that helps you live more intentionally.

What are your must-have bullet journal supplies? I’d love to hear what’s working for you! Drop a comment below or join my email list for monthly bujo inspiration and supply recommendations. And if you’re looking for printable trackers to get started, check out my collection – I’ve designed them to work with any journal style!

Happy journaling!

Xx Kinga