A Journey to Discover the Best Supplies
I have been on this path of self-discovery for some time now, and in my journey, I have tried a lot of different supplies. It’s actually one of the best things about diving into the world of journaling, especially for a pen and paper junkie like myself. But let’s be honest — it can be extremely daunting trying to figure out what supplies to spend your hard-earned cash on. No one wants to sink their money in a bad set of pens or a crappy notebook. I want to help you cut out the hard part of getting started and let you in on my favorite supplies that I’ve used over the years. Let me walk you through my top choices for the best bullet journal supplies.
My Best Bullet Journal Supplies
The bullet journal is what started it all for me. My first humble bullet journal helped me establish roots that led to brush lettering and watercolor journaling in a way that I never imagined. It just seems right to start with bullet journal supplies before moving on to anything else. To make this less overwhelming, I’m going to separate out the bullet journal supplies into two categories: beginner supplies and advanced supplies.
Best Bullet Journal Supplies for Beginners
When you begin your very first bullet journal, you truly only need a notebook and a pencil/pen. You can make it as simple and utilitarian as you want — or use that single pen to make some doodle magic. It’s totally your call. But you might want to invest a little bit in your productivity and organization, and something as simple as a small set of pens or a minor notebook upgrade can really make a huge difference. I know it did for me!
That being said, don’t feel compelled to buy all the bullet journal supplies you see before you. I know it’s tempting. Instead, try picking out one or two things at a time and growing your bullet journal supplies over a period of time.
Best Bullet Journal Notebooks
The notebook is the foundation of your whole bullet journal operation, so I would highly suggest you get a notebook that you love. Don’t spend so much money that you’re afraid of writing in the journal and wasting the pages — after all, those pages are there for you to write in. So find a notebook that is a balance of economic and luxurious.
Leuchtturm 1917 Dotted A5
This is hands down my favorite bullet journal notebook. I’ve tried other notebooks that I enjoy, but I come back to the Leuchtturm again and again. Grab the dot grid for a bit of subtle structure that allows a ton of freedom, unlike a ruled notebook. One thing I especially love about the Leuchtturm is that you can use watercolors lightly in them! Check out my bullet journal watercolor test to see for yourself. And if the A5 size isn’t your cup of tea, you can grab a Leuchtturm A6 or B5, which provide an excellent range of sizes.
- INKPROOF PAPER: Medium (A5) notebooks have 80 gsm paper, which is equatable to 60lb stock, and has 249 numbered pages
- OPENS FLAT: This thread-bound notebook opens flat so you can write and draw at all angles without compromising the integrity of the spine
- ELASTIC CLOSURE BAND: Secure your content with the elastic enclosure band and inner gusseted pocket. Page marker is included for easy access to a specific page
Moleskine Soft Cover Dot Grid Notebook
The Moleskine line of notebooks is another great place to turn for your bullet journal. Their softcover and slim profile make them a great notebook to slip in your bag and take on the go. And you can also use watercolors in the Moleskine if you wish, though their paper is a hair thinner than the paper of the Leuchtturm.
- CLASSIC MOLESKINE NOTEBOOK: Moleskine classic notebooks are perfect notebooks for writing journals, a daily diary, or note taking in college classes or meetings. Moleskine notebooks are beloved by...
- DURABLE COVER & ELASTIC CLOSURE: Hold writing projects & notes in your Moleskine notebook with an elastic closure band & inner storage folders. Leather-like classic Moleskine cover & thick, ivory...
- GIFT QUALITY NOTEBOOKS: Moleskine planners, journals and notebooks come in hardcover or softcover and colors like black, red, blue, green and brown. The binding and cover have a durable finish,...
Rhodiarama Dot Notebook
The Rhodiarama notebook is yet another excellent option for the beginner bullet journal. The notebook has a softcover with a lovely texture and it’s available in many colors. And the paper is a dream to write on, especially if you’re a fan of juicier pens.
- PREMIUM PAPER - 90g smooth ivory sheets, acid-free, pH neutral. French Milled. Inks won't bleed or feather.
- EXPERTLY CONSTRUCTED - Italian faux leather hardcover, glued spine, rounded corners.
- HIGHLY FUNCTIONAL - Includes inner pocket, ribbon page marker and elastic closure to keep papers secure.
»»» Read More: All You Need to Know: The Best Bullet Journal Notebooks «««
Best Pens for the Bullet Journal
The notebook might be the foundation for your bullet journal, but the pens you use can impact your use of the bullet journal just as deeply. It’s important to use a writing utensil that you don’t hate. If you’re trying to use a crusty old pen that you got from your banker’s desk, it will likely not add joy to the process of using your bullet journal. Instead, opt for one pen or a set of pens that are nice to use — this will make it easier to use your bullet journal more regularly, which is imperative as you develop the habit.
Ticonderoga Pencils
Is it a pen? No, technically. But is it useful? Yes! I love these cheap pencils for laying out spreads before I use ink or simply for doodling. They’ve been my go-to pencil since high school.
- Exclusive #2 graphite formula provides extra smooth performance
- Pre-sharpened to save you time
- Top quality, latex-free eraser provides easy, clean corrections
Pigma Micron Pen Set
Looking for a nice set of black pens? These Microns will do the trick! They come in a variety of nib sizes so you can get extra fine lines to more bold strokes. Mine lasted me for years of abuse, so I can personally vouch for their dependability.
- Experience smooth, skip-free writing in crisp, rich black ink to achieve consistent lettering and lines widths.
- Professional inking pens used by comic artists, illustrators, watercolor artists, archivists, and laboratory professionals.
- Pigma ink is archival quality on paper: waterproof, chemical resistant, fade resistant, bleed free, quick drying and pH neutral.
Tombow Mono Drawing Pens
If you want to have some options for black pens, here’s another that I use and love. The Mono drawing pens are perfect for plain ol’ writing all the way to doodles and drawings. And they, too, come in a variety of nib sizes.
- Water-based pigment ink drawing pens produce smooth, skip-free drawing and writing with no smudging - ink dries instantly
- Create precise, detailed drawings with three tip sizes - 01, 03 and 05
- Ideal for illustrations, technical drawings, manga, anime, lettering and journaling
Pilot G-2 Pens
Sometimes you just want a cheap pen on hand. If you bullet journal on the go or at work, your supplies might get lost or stolen by sticky-fingered coworkers. But you don’t want to compromise on performance, do you? That’s where these G-2 Pens (or their Pilot Precise cousins) come into play. They come in black as well as a variety of colors, and their ink is quite satisfying to lay out on the page.
- THE IDEAL PEN FOR OVERACHIEVERS: The smooth writing, long-lasting Pilot G2 Premium Gel Ink Pen features a comfortable rubber grip, & is available in ultra fine, extra fine, fine, & bold point.
- LONGEST LASTING, REFILLABLE GEL INK: Proven to be the longest writing gel ink pen among top brands, the smooth-writing, retractable G2 gel ink pen is a classic choice for all your writing needs.
- PERECTLY SUITED FOR YOU: If you love the original Pilot G2, you'll want to try our full G2 line of Mini, Metallic, Mosaic, & Fashion gel ink pens in a variety of sizes, barrel designs & colors.
Pilot FriXion Pens
A major problem that many beginner bullet journalers face is the fear of making mistakes. It’s one that can be overwhelming and lead to a delay or outright halt of progress. If that’s something that worries you, then I would suggest the erasable Pilot FriXion pens. With an erasable pen, you might spend less time worrying about mistakes and more time writing.
- PILOT FRIXION COLORSTICKS: These pens write smooth & erase clean with Pilot's unique thermo-sensitive gel ink. No wear or tear so you can erase & rewrite until it's right without ruining the page.
- UNLIMITED DO-OVERS: FriXion ColorStick pens feature a slim, non-rolling capped barrel design & are available in 16 stunning gel ink colors. Ideal for homework, grading or creating bullet journal...
- WRITE & CREATE FEARLESSLY: If you love FriXion erasable ink pens & markers, you'll want to try Pilot's full line of erasable Clickers, ColorSticks, Fineliners, Colors Marker Pens, & Highlighters.
Staedtler Triplus Fineliners
If color is the name of your game, then consider this fineliner set. As the name implies, they indeed have very fine lines. And their range of colors is incredible and crisp on the page. These pens are excellent for taking color coded notes or for simple doodling.
- Assorted colors
- Perfect for charts, maps, and graphs
- Fiber-tipped
Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens
Personally, I love the feel of a felt tip pen. I just love the way they write. That’s why I’m throwing this set of Paper Mate Flair pens on the list — some people might prefer a colorful set of pens with that unbeatable felt tip feeling.
- Point Guard prevents the tip from fraying even after repeated use
- Quick drying, Water based ink resists smearing
- Specially Designed ink will Not bleed through paper
Zebra Mildliners
You need highlighters for your bullet journal, right? Look no further than these Zebra Mildliners. I was never a big fan of highlighters until I found this brand, but after using them, I became a convert. Most highlighter sets have the same screaming neon colors, but Zebra comes at you with softer hues. You can get pastels, jewel tones, and earth tones — which to me is a million times better than neon yellow. Check out my review of the Zebra Mildliners.
- Zebra line marker Mild liner slightly fluorescent color
- Zebra line marker mild liner mild color
- Zebra line marker mild liner astringent mild color
»»» Read More: The Best Pens for Bullet Journaling «««
Miscellaneous Bullet Journal Supplies for Beginners
Besides the obvious bullet journal supplies of a notebook and pens, there are a few other items that you might want to pick up to make your experience fun. These are by no mean necessary, but they might make your bullet journal easier to create or just more enjoyable!
Free Bullet Journal Printables
When you’re first beginning your bullet journal, you might want to lean on bullet journal printables every once in a while to let you focus on other aspects of your planning. That’s totally fine! If that sounds like something you’d like to do, I’ve got you covered with the free bullet journal printables available in the Fox Den Resource Library. Just subscribe to my email list and the printables are yours!
Washi Tape
There is something intoxicating about washi tape. The ability to add colorful flair and design to your bullet journal with a snap of your fingers (or nearly) is pretty amazing. And washi tape comes in an infinite varity of colors, textures, patterns, and sizes, so there really is something for everyone. A word of warning, though: you may become addicted and collected a thousand washi tapes. Beware.
- FOIL WASHI TAPE SET - 21 rolls, W:15mm(0.6 Inch) x L:4m(158 Inch). Let your creativity shine with this dazzling foil washi tape! It adds vibrancy to photo frames, journals, and wall art... even...
- A RAINBOW OF VIVID COLORS - Create a kaleidoscope of playful color in your home! There's a whole spectrum of exquisite jewel tones that gleam like precious gems, including lustrous gold, rich...
- A CUTE GIFT FOR CRAFTY GIRLS - Everyone from homemakers to trendy teens and artsy kids will adore this washi tape set! It's great fun for all ages; if you follow crafting trends and have a wild...
Westcott Ruler
I can’t count the number of times that a ruler has come in handy for my bullet journal. It’s just one of those things that can make or break a spread, and it’s invaluable to have one in my pencil bag. I personally love one with a cork back so it doesn’t slip while I’m using it.
- Sold as 1 EA.
- Nearly indestructible stainless steel. Attractive finish.
- Etched standard and metric measurement markings.
Pencil Bag
Speaking of a pencil bag, this little pouch makes traveling with your bullet journal a million times easier. Keeping a bunch of pens rattling around in your purse or backpack isn’t ideal — for you or the longevity of the pens.
- NICE SHAPE: Rectangular shape,longer length,fits longer pencils or longer items,convenient and practical, with beautiful bright loved colors.
- BIG CAPACITY: Lots of room, fits up max to 45 pens and pencils as well as small items and gadgets,great for use and looks nice.
- CENTER FLAP: Utilized to put your most used writing instruments for quick access, as well as your favorite pencils, markers and more.
The Best Bullet Journal Supplies for Advanced Journalists
If you’ve been using your bullet journal for a while and you feel like you have a solid grasp on the basics, then you are probably ready to step up your game. There are a ton of handy bullet journal supplies that might overwhelm a beginner but are perfect for someone more advanced in the bullet journal world. As you use your bullet journal more and get to understand your best use of the system, you will have a better idea of which of the supplies listed below are right for you.
Advanced Bullet Journal Pens and Markers
There are a ton of incredible pens and markers out there that are begging to be used in a bullet journal. Each of the materials listed here is tried and true, but it’s up to you to figure out which ones are right for your style.
Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop Fountain Pen
Ever been curious about using a fountain pen? The Pilot Metropolitan is an excellent jump into the world of fountain pens, and it’s quite affordable, too. This pen is a joy to write with and will make you excited to pick up your pen and use your bullet journal.
- AFFORDABLE LUXURY: The MR Collection features exceptional pens designed for everyday use. With a brass barrel, stainless steel accents, premium matte finishes & 'middle ring’ design, they deliver...
- POP ART PENS: Brilliantly modern & smartly styled, the Pilot MR Retro Pop Collection combines the vibrant colors & motifs of the '60s & '70s with premium materials & quality, and are available in...
- OBSESSED WITH OFFICE SUPPLIES? Get ready to write the most elegant to-do lists with a Pilot MR Collection pen, which offers affordable luxury for uniquely expressive writing. Plus, it makes the...
Tombow Dual Brush Pen Markers
Like I said earlier, bullet journaling was the catalyst I needed to start my love of brush lettering. If you want to incorporate lettering into your notebook, then these Dual Brush Pens are a must-have. You can also use them for highlighting and adding all kinds of decoration to your bullet journal!
- Ideal for fine art, brush lettering, faux calligraphy, illustrations, water color illustrations, journaling and more!
- Set of 9 colors and 1 blender pen, with flexible brush tip and fine tip in one marker
- BRUSH TIP: Durable and flexible nylon fiber brush tip, creates medium or bold strokes by changing brush pressure
Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pens
This is one of those pens that I will likely never, ever stop buying. I love these pens. They are very fine brush pens, making them perfect for the narrow corridors of a bullet journal. I love using them for drawing, lettering, creating spreads and boxes, and so much more. They are beloved to me.
- Contains both the soft and hard tip Fudenosuke Brush Pens
- Features a flexible brush tip for different lettering and drawing techniques
- Create extra fine, fine or medium strokes by a change in brush pressure
Pentel Aquash Brush Pens
If you want to dabble in watercolors in your bullet journal, then the Pentel Aquash Brush Pens are perfect for you. They make it incredibly easy to splash some color on the page without a whole lot of fuss. And lots of notebooks handle it better than you might imagine. Check out these four easy watercolor techniques to use in your bullet journal for some inspiration!
- Fill with water to blend, or add your favorite ink or dye
- Easy-to-squeeze barrel and unique valve system allows you to control the flow of water
- Flattened barrel keeps Brush from rolling off your work surface
Pentel Pocket Brush Pen
Whether you like brush lettering or not, I’d still recommend this brush pen. It packs a huge punch with its bold, black color and flexible brush tip. I have used it for years in setting up my spreads because I love the variation in line width and texture that it produces.
- Portable, neat and easy-to-use versus traditional paint and brushes: Ideal for painting on Location
- Permanent pigment ink is both fade- and water-resistant
- Durable, Premium bristles help create fine to broad lines in a single Brush stroke
Prismacolor Illustration Brush Tip Markers
I’ve had these for a long time, and I still use them after all these years. When I got the Staedtler set I fully expected to stop using these, but I just keep coming back. I can’t really quantify what I like about these markers, but I just love the way they write. Prismacolor is just really good at what they do.
- Ideal for creating thick, thin or varied lines with one stroke
- Richly saturated colors with a silky smooth flow and ink with unmatched color consistency
- Experience the smooth flow of a paint brush with the convenience of a marker
Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens
This pack of pens has a huge level of variety that I just love. There are drawing pens, different brush pens, and even a fat bullet tip pen. If you want to try out brush pens without committing to a whole set, this is the option for you.
- PITT artist pens contain pigmented India ink that is both archival and acid free
- Perfect for drawing on the go!
- Convenient wallet keeps all your drawing tools together
Miscellaneous Advanced Bullet Journal Supplies
These random bits and bobs are definitely a little bit extra, but you might find something that you absolutely cannot bullet journal without.
Helix Circle Maker
When you’re trying to create a circle for a spread, like a Level 10 Life chart, it can take forever. Even if you’re using a dot grid notebook, the process isn’t what I’d call easy. Grab yourself this affordable circle maker, though, and you’ll be whipping out circles all day long without breaking a sweat.
- Helix
- Helix Angle and Circle Protractor
- This item is manufactured in China
Post It Notes
I love using Post It Notes in my bullet journal. Sometimes I use them to jot down a thought or a plan before I properly organize it on the page. Sometimes I use them as a reminder, moving the note from page to page until I get a task done. Other times, I use them for extra information that couldn’t fit onto a page. One way for another, Post Its have been incredibly useful to me over the years.
- 2 in x in, Miami Collection
- Post-it Super Sticky Notes stick and re-stick so your thoughts get noticed
- Reliably sticks so your message or reminder stays front and center
Decorative Stickers
Want to add a bit of character to the cover of your bullet journal? Grab a set of your favorite vinyl stickers from my shop and you can make your planner uniquely yours!
A Set of Clips
I took ages to finally buy a set of paper/binder clips, but now that I have them, I use them every day. Save yourself the annoyance and frustration and just grab a cute set of clips. You’ll thank yourself later.
- Package includes: 10 small binder clips,5 medium binder clips and 60 pcs drop paper clips.
- The product made of high quality steel wire with good elasticity.
- Assorted Size: 5pcs M ( 32mm wide) and 10 pcs S (19mm wide) and 60 pcs paper clips.
Avery Ultra Tabs
If you like to tab your pages, then you will love Avery’s line of Ultra Tabs. They are incredibly durable, come in a ton of cute patterns, colors, and shapes, and are smudge resistant. I was super impressed by this line of tabs, and you will be, too.
- Great for organizing. Avery Ultra Tab page tabs are great for organizing, referencing and indexing notebooks, files, planners and more. Avery tabs are perfect for use as bible tabs, journal tabs,...
- Writable note tabs. Write on sticky note tabs with most pens, pencils, markers and highlighters on see through writable body and 2 sided, paper covered file folder tabs. Ink dry times may vary. Tab...
- Durable and repositionable tabs. Sturdy page flags stick securely and hold strong enough to turn pages, but remove easily for quick changes.
Tombow Mono Permanent Adhesive
Are you a fan of taping things into your bullet journal? Then grab one of these Tombow adhesive tapes. They rock. You can slip one into your pencil bag and keep in on the go to paste in quotes, pictures, doodles, and everything else your heart desires.
- This product is manufactured in Thailand
- Mono permanent adhesive tape runner
- 1/3 x 630 inches
Your Bullet Journal Reading List
Want to read some great books to help you organize your life and make a better use of your bullet journal? Here are a few excellent choices to get you going. And if you don’t have time to sit down and read, give Audible a try! You can listen to books on your commute to work, while you’re doing chores around your house, or while you chill in the bathtub. It’s a great option for people with packed schedules, and you can try it for 30 days free and get 2 free audiobooks just to test it out! Just head here to sign up for a trial and see if it rocks your world.
The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
This book gives some fantastic techniques to maximize your mornings and develop killer habits. In fact, the Level 10 Life technique comes straight from this book, so you know it’s packed full of awesomeness!
- Hal Elrod
- Elrod, Hal (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Maria Kondo
This book might not be about journaling, per se, but many people in the bullet journal community have found it incredibly helfpul for organizing their lives in general. The bullet journal can help you organize your mind, and this book can help you organize your physical space so you can achieve balance!
- The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
- Hardcover Book
- Marie Kondō (Author)
Beyond Bullets: Creating Journaling Ideas to Customize Your Personal Productivity System by Megan Rutell
Want a book written by a member of the bullet journal community? Look no further! Megan from Page Flutter penned this awesome book chalk full of insipiration and bullet journal eye candy. There’s even a little mention of me in there!
- Rutell, Megan (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 128 Pages - 11/07/2017 (Publication Date) - Ulysses Press (Publisher)
»»» Read More: The Best Self-Help Books to Read «««
Bullet Journal Supplies Aren’t Everything
While I hope you find this list of bullet journal supplies helpful, I just want to remind you that you don’t need a ton of stuff to have a successful bullet journal. What you need is some way to make the process enjoyable — whether that means using nice supplies, drinking a hot cup of coffee while you write, or listing to your favorite music, it doesn’t matter. Don’t feel like you need to spend a ton of money on a huge collection of supplies in order to get the most out of your bullet journal. But don’t be afraid to indulge yourself a little either! If you can strike a nice balance with your supplies, you will find that your bullet journal system will develop nicely and you will love the process. Now go out there and rock your bullet journal!
Continue Reading:
‣ The Ultimate Hand Lettering Guide for Beginners.
‣ 5 Bullet Journal Supplies Under $5.
‣ The Best Watercolor Supplies for Beginners.
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Last update on 2019-12-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Prices shown represent Amazon prices only, and do not represent the current price from any other source.