Mini Prints for Journals
Journaling is more than just writing—it’s a powerful tool for self-reflection, creativity, and memory preservation. Whether you prefer the structure of a bullet journal, a free-flowing stream of consciousness notebook, or an artsy junk journal, adding mini prints to your pages enhances your storytelling. To get you started, we’ve put together this complete guide to mini prints for journals, including journaling styles, suggested ways to use mini prints, size recommendations for different journal types, and a materials breakdown.
At Persnickety Prints, we’ve been helping people preserve their memories for over a decade. Even if your journaling style leans more toward writing, we’ve seen firsthand the impact of incorporating mini prints. Printing and adding photos to your journal not only enhances creativity but also transforms it into a meaningful keepsake. Mini prints offer a tangible way to revisit special moments and visually capture emotions, making them a valuable addition to any journaling practice.
Choose The right journaling method for you
If you are wanting to get into journaling, consider which journaling style best suits you:
Writing-Focused
The Deep Thinker – 80% writing / 20% visuals
- Example Techniques: Gratitude journaling, stream of consciousness, reflective journaling
- Best for: those who enjoy long-form writing. Freedom to journal as frequently or as infrequently as you wish because there is not a set structure.
- Perks of Prints: Document key moments and add depth to emotions expressed in writing. Allows an opportunity to come back later, reflect on what you wrote, and add to your story.
Blended
The Life Curator – 50% writing / 50% visuals
- Example Techniques: Bullet journaling, travel journals, one-line-a-day journals
- Best for: Chronicling everyday moments and planning ahead. Those who enjoy daily or weekly journaling, and doodling
- Perks of Prints: Highlight the best moments from your month, week, or day. Many spreads are designed to be an overview of the day- enhance your memories with a photo!
Visual-Focused
The Visual Archivist – 80% writing / 20% visuals
- Example Techniques: Junk journaling, goal journaling, nature journaling
- Best for: Creatives who enjoy multi-media collage and collecting ephemera. Do larger journaling efforts every month or so, OR making it into a daily creative practice.
- Perks of Prints: Often ephemera focuses on textural elements, the experiential details. Add another perspective by adding photos that capture emotions and the people who are important to you.
How to Use Mini Prints in Your Journal
Mini prints are a versatile way to enhance your journal, no matter your style. Here is some design inspiration on how to integrate them into your journal pages:
Writing Focused
- When writing, leave a spot in the corner of a page open to later add a single print
- Leave a blank page, and create a grid collage of mini photo prints or a full-page photo
- Every few pages, leave half a page blank to add a group of prints
Blended
- Have a dedicated page for a monthly, weekly, or event recap
- Incorporate a section in a one-line-a-day journal for daily snapshots
- Use structured layouts, like repeating grids or calendar pages, to easily incorporate photos regularly throughout the journal
Visual Focused
- The world is your oyster! With no limitations to your journal’s page design, incorporate photos that capture the small details
- Collect ephemera and combine it with mini prints for multimedia collages
- Create an interactive flip-up design by taping the top of a photo print using washi-tape, and writing a memory on the page underneath.
Selecting the Best Mini Prints for Your Journal Size
Journals come in a wide range of sizes, and it can be challenging to determine which mini print size will achieve the look you want to create. To make it easier, we’ve put together a visual guide showcasing how a variety of mini print sizes scale across the six most common journal formats.
Small Journals
A6 journal
- 5.83×4.14 in | 105×148 mm
- Classic pocket notebook size
- Shown with 3×4 photo print, 2.5×1.75 mini photo print, and 3×3 mini photo print
Field Notes journal
- 3.5×5.5 in | 89×140 mm
- A favorite pocket memo book size
- Shown with 2.3×2.5 mini photo print and 2.5×1.75 mini photo print
Medium Journals
A5 journal
- 5.8×8.3 in | 148×210 mm
- The most common journal size
- Shown with 4×4 photo print and 2×2 mini photo print
Our 6×8 journal was designed for the photo lovers! This journal is a little larger than the traditional A5 to allow an entire 6×8 photo to be used for a full page spread. Personalize your journal with a custom cover, three different wire coil options, and select either a blank, lined, or dotted interior pages.
Larger Journals
B5 journal
- 7.2×10.1 in | 182×257 mm
- Most popular oversized notebook option
- Shown with 3×2 mini photo print, 3×3 mini photo print, 2.5×1.75 mini photo print, 3×4 retro print, 3×3 photo sticker, 4×2 mini photo print, and 3.5×5 photo print
A4 journal
- 8.27×11.69 in | 210×297 mm
- Very close to the size of legal notepads
- Shown with 2×2 mini photo print, 2.3×2.5 mini photo print, original photo strip, and 4×4 photo print
Both sizes are very similar to a Composition Notebook, which is a great economical way to start journaling!
Mini Prints Material Guide: Choosing the Right Type
Our ultra-thick card stock, vinyl stickers, and photo paper all have different strengths and versatility. Here’s a breakdown of the best mini print options based on material and thickness:
Thickest Paper: Mini Press Prints, Retro Prints, and Original Photo Strips
- Great for adding variety and texture
- Best for junk journals and collages
- Attach with double-sided tape or glue dots
Middle Thickness of Paper: Photo Stickers
- Made of durable vinyl, resistant to bending and cracking
- No additional tape needed—just peel and stick!
- Perfect for a mix of materials and multimedia journals
Thinnest Paper: Mini Photo Prints
- Archival quality, ideal for long-term journaling
- Won’t add bulk, making them great for daily journalers
- Best attached with double-sided tape or washi tape
- Available in 10 different sizes
For all of these print materials, you can add stickers, stamps, and embellishments right over your prints too! Since we don’t use ink, your photographic prints are scratch and water resistant. You don’t need a page protector to “protect” these prints, and can go right into your journal.
get started
Journaling is a deeply personal practice that fosters self-awareness, creativity, and mindfulness. By incorporating mini prints, you add an extra layer of storytelling that makes your journal even more meaningful. Whether you choose to document daily moments or create artistic spreads, mini prints help bring your memories to life in a tangible way. So, grab your favorite prints, a bit of washi tape, and start crafting pages that truly reflect your journey!
