The Best Bullet Journal Supplies (2021)

A Journey to Discover the Best Supplies

I have been on this path of self-discovery for some time now. 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. Allow me to walk you through my top choices for the best bullet journal supplies.

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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 share my best 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.

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 perhaps you want to invest a little bit in your productivity and organization. If so, 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.

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 overall bullet journal notebook. Grab the dot grid instead of ruled or blank pages for a bit of subtle structure that allows a ton of creative freedom. 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 both perform just as beautifully as the A5.

Read my full Leuchtturm1917 review.

Archer & Olive Watercolor Dot Grid Journal

A new breed of bullet journal is on the market. This watercolor journal has the quality paper you need for true watercolor art combined with the utility and structure of a journal. That’s what makes this Archer & Olive exclusive my favorite choice for a more art-heavy bullet journal.

You can see my full review of this heavy hitter here.

Archer & Olive BlackOut! Book

Want a bullet journal that’s going to stand out? Get a full journal of luxurious black pages and you’ll have page after page of stunning contrast. This lovely Blackout! Book from Archer & Olive packs a punch without diminishing quality. All you need is a pack of your favorite gel pens and you can have the most unique bullet journal on the block.

You can read my full review here, or see all my favorite pens for this special journal here.

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.

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.

Read my full Moleskine review.

»»» Read More: All You Need to Know: The Best Bullet Journal Notebooks «««

Pens

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. But is it useful? Yes! I love these cheap pencils for laying out spreads before I use ink or simply for doodling. Ticonderoga has been my go-to pencil brand since high school.

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.

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.

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 down on the page.

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.

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 with all the power of the rainbow.

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.

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 the Mildliners, I became a convert. Most highlighter sets have the same screaming neon colors, but Zebra offers you softer hues. You can get pastels, jewel tones, and earth tones — which to me is a million times better than neon yellow.

Read my full Zebra Mildliners review.

»»» Read More: The Best Pens for Bullet Journaling «««

Accessories

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. 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 all 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 variety 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.

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.

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.

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Advanced Supplies

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 begin to understand your ideal use of the system, you will have a better idea of which of the supplies listed below are right for you.

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.

Read my full Pilot Metropolitan review.

Lamy Safari Fountain Pen

When it comes to fountain pens, I have found the Lami Safari to jump to the top of my list every time. It is affordable, easy to use, comfortable in the hand, and classy looking to boot.

Read my full Lamy Safari review.

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!

Read my full Tombow Dual Brush Pen review. 

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.

Read my full Tombow Fudenosuke review.

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.

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.

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.

Sakura Gelly Roll Moonlight Pens

Gel pens just create nostalgia for those middle school days where I took all my notes in sparkly gel ink. The Gelly Roll pens are more than a trip down memory lane, though — they’re quality. These bright, bold, and beautiful colors glide on the page and stand out like nothing else.

Sakura Gelly Roll Souffle Pens

Want an ink like no other? The Souffle set of pens are slow to dry but sure to impress with their buttery soft texture. I love these pens for their unbeatable luxury.

Sakura Gelly Roll Metallic Pens

When I want to add a dash of shine to my bullet journal page, I break out my Gelly Roll metallics. These inexpensive pens give a smooth sheen that can’t be topped.

Sakura Gelly Roll White Pens

Whether I want to add white accents to my lettering or write entirely in white on a painted page, I turn to the Gelly Roll white pens. They are the best white gel pens I’ve used to date, rocking opaque white ink that shows boldly on the page.

Kelly Creates Metallic Brush Pens

It’s not often that I find a set of brush pens that knock my socks off, but this pack of stunning metallic colors is a real winner. The pens are the perfect amount of spring and snap for brush lettering, and the shine is undeniable.

Watercolors

If you’re looking to get a little extra creative with your planning, then you’ll love these artsy bullet journal supplies!

Prang Watercolors

These incredibly inexpensive paints will give you tons of opportunities to make a splash with your bullet journal spreads.

Dr. Ph. Martin’s Hydrus Liquid Watercolors

These vibrant liquid paints pack a punch in the absolute best way. I own two of the three Hydrus sets and I’ve had them for years. Despite lots of use, none of the colors are close to running out thanks to how concentrated they are. Just a drop or two in a palette will get the job done!

Sennelier Watercolors

Despite owning lots of different sets of watercolors, my Senneiler palette is nearly always the one I reach for. It has velvety colors, impeccable control, and a beautiful texture when dried.

Read my Sennelier Watercolors review.

Colirocolor Metallic Watercolors

When I want to pull out all the stops for a bullet journal spread, I grab my Colirocolor metallic paints. These dreamy golden and pearlescent watercolors are a surefire way to create a showstopper piece of art.

Read my Colirocolor Watercolors review.

Grumbacher Paintbrushes

I have used many a paintbrush in my day, but my favorites so far are my Grumbacher brushes. They simply are dependable, durable, and comfortable for long painting sessions.

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!

Read my Pentel Water Brush Pen review.

Accessories

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.

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.

Stickers

Want to add charm, art, and gorgeous design to your bullet journal with minimal effort? There are tons of stickers in the world that will make you go whoa. Check out 50 of my favorite stickers for your bullet journal here or pop over to my shop to see what handmade stickers I’m cooking up!

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.

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.

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 just about anything else your heart desires.

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Books to Read

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!

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!

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!

»»» Read More: The Best Self-Help Books to Read «««

Parting Thoughts

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. 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.