Top Bullet Journal Supplies You Need for a Perfect Journal

Bullet journaling boosts productivity, improves wellness, and sparks creativity. 

Discover the bullet journal supplies you need to achieve all these great benefits!

What Bullet Journal Supplies Do I Need?

Though some folks will tell you that you must have fancy pens, stickers, glitter, and loads of bling to start your bullet journal, that’s not entirely true. 

You only need two essential items to start: a journal and something to write with.  

Everything else is just a bonus. You can pick and choose the bullet journal supplies you love to make your journal shine. 

Hey folks! Transparency Disclosure- Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. That means I’ll receive a small commission if you decide to click on it and buy something. Don’t worry, it doesn’t cost you anything extra!

The Best Journals for Bullet Journaling

A brief glance through the journaling section at any bookstore highlights the abundance of journals available. 

There are thousands of options. 

For bullet journaling, you will want to choose a journal with pages covered in tiny laser-dotted “bullets.” These marks are spaced equally throughout the entire page, allowing you to draw lines, charts, tables, and more. 

Those who don’t want to spend money on a journal can use a cheap notebook with lined or blank paper in a pinch, but you will probably need a ruler to draw straight boxes. 

If you want an actual journal, consider these fantastic options. 

Moleskine

Moleskine is the king of journals. The company makes many different types of journals for a variety of needs, including lined, blank-page, and dot journals (the dot journals are best for bullet journaling!). 

I love their classic hard-covered journals, which give your bullet journal a classic elegance. 

Shop for your perfect Moleskine Journal!

Leuchtturm1917

Leuchtturm1917 is the OG of bullet journaling. The German company’s slogan, “Denken mit der Hand,” literally means think with the hand. It reminds us that the physical act of writing something down helps us process and understand information, a key element of bullet journaling. 

The company offers a wide range of journals, notebooks, and writing instruments to help you start your bullet journal journey. 

Get the Perfect Bullet Journal at the Store

Bookstores like Barnes & Noble and craft stores like Michaels offer a plethora of journals for all your needs. Even office supply stores like Staples have great options! 

Head to your favorite and check out their selection. Choose one with a cover that speaks to you. Make sure you take a peek inside before buying to make sure it’s a dot journal for bullet journaling. 

The Best Pens for Bullet Journaling

Now that you have your journal, you need something to write with. You can keep it simple and use a regular pen or pencil, or you can opt for graphite, colored pens, markers, or any other writing tool of your choice. 

I prefer to use pens and pencils, as the writing tends to be smoother and they don’t smudge as much. However, if you’re going to combine your bullet journal with your artistic talents, you may want to consider watercolor pens, chalk pastels, permanent markers, or other artsy supplies. 

Because I like color, I buy the Pilot G-02 colored pen multipack. They come in packs of 10-20 with a variety of color combinations, are reasonably priced, and dry quickly, so they don’t smudge. The ballpoint design makes the ink go on smoothly, which is great for someone known for messy writing. 

Gel Pens and Fountain Pens

I’ve seen tons of examples of people using gel pens and fountain pens for their bullet journals. These pens provide stunning writing effects, but the dry time and tendency to smear make them difficult for me to work with in a bullet journal. 

Some newer gel pens, like Zebra brand, have faster dry times. If you want a gel pen and write quickly, like me, they might be the best option. 

It’s harder to find fountain pens that don’t smear, but if you love how they look and are careful with your writing, you can make it work. The most important thing about your bullet journal pen set is that you love how it looks and feels on paper.

Top Pens for Bullet Journaling

Because pens are such an essential supply for bullet journaling, I’ve developed a list of my favorite pens. 

Any of these options would be great for starting your bullet journal. 

Ball Pens

Those on a budget may opt for simple blue or black ink ball pens. Ballpoint pens are suitable for journaling because they tend to write smoothly, and most don’t smudge a lot. 

Paper Mate and Pilot both feature great options for reasonably priced ballpoint pens. However, don’t get the cheapest version. Cheapy pens run out of ink quickly and make writing difficult. 

Pilot Gel Pens

As I said, Pilot gel pens are my favorite because they are reasonably priced, write smoothly, and come in an assortment of colors.  

They even have packages of related colors, like a pack of different blues or purples. I love them all. 

Zebra Gel Pens

Zebra Gel pens are my second favorite option for a solid, affordable pack of bullet journal pens. I love the wide range of colors available.

Calligraphy Pen Set

I have messy handwriting. No matter what I do, it looks like a second grader wrote it. Therefore, I tend to shy away from fancy pens. 

But if you have lovely handwriting, you might want to get fancy with your bullet journal. Try a nice set of calligraphy pens to make gorgeous lettering. 

Gel Pens with Effects

Gel pens are unique because they have so many different effects. You can get metallic gel pens, translucent gel pens, and even glitter gel pens to decorate your journal in various ways. 

Check out Michael’s selection of fantastic gel pens and grab what speaks to you.

Top Pencils for Bullet Journaling

Pencils are great for bullet journaling because they are erasable. Sometimes deadlines change, tasks change, or dates get mixed up, so using a writing instrument that has a built-in eraser can make your life easier.

I prefer mechanical pencils for bullet journaling because they write smoothly, and I can simply refill the lead when it gets empty. 

Those who want to combine their bullet journal with a sketchbook may wish to invest in art pencils. Faber-Castell makes a fantastic set of graphite pencils for sketching, drawing, and doodling in your journal.

Shop Pens at Blick

Writing Instruments to Avoid When Bullet Journaling

Not all writing utensils are well-suited for a bullet journal. When shopping for bullet journal supplies, keep in mind that not all tools are created equal. Sharpies, permanent markers, and heavy felt-tipped pens tend to bleed through the pages unless you opt for an art journal with thicker paper. 

Fountain pens, older gel pens, and some felt-tip pens also tend to smudge, making it harder to keep a clean, crisp journal.

You can still use these items if you want. An excellent felt-tip pen offers a smooth writing experience and effect you can’t get with a simple ballpoint. 

Test your pages to check for bleeding before deciding which pen to use.

Bonus Bullet Journal Supplies

Although all you need to start a bullet journal is a pen and paper, the extras make it shine. 

Go beyond the basics to create a unique bullet journal fitting your style and mood.

I add these fun extras to my bullet journal to make tracking my life a more creative experience. 

Stickers 

I’m obsessed with stickers. When I was a child, I had a collection of over a thousand different stickers. As an adult, I hoard stickers for planning and journaling. 

Happy Planner offers a wide variety of bullet journal stickers for any project. They have budgeting, planning, task management, self-care, girls' night, party stickers, and more. Their books feature colorful boxes for writing, inspirational messages, cute icons, and everything you might need to create your perfect journal.  

Post-it Notes

I use Post-it notes to write portable reminders to myself. I use the colorful variety pack with fun shapes like hearts and stars to keep my notes engaging. 

I even use them to highlight crucial messages, writing them on a note, then taping it in my journal so it stands out. 

Tabs

I recently discovered that you can buy movable tabs for your planners and journals. These tabs have room for writing in a pretty color on the top, and then a small sticky strip on the bottom, which allows you to affix it to your page. 

I have one labeled “week” and another labeled “month” that I move along my journal to bookmark my pages. 

Stencils

Stencils are great because they help you draw specific letters and images perfectly. Stencils can help you with lettering for your titles or add a bit of flair to your journal with shaded pictographs.

Stamps

Stamps are one of the best bonus bullet journal supplies. You can find tiny stamps in the shapes of hearts, stars, birds, or other symbols. 

Use these stamps to mark off your to-do lists or to decorate the edges of your journal. Even the stamp pads themselves make your journal unique, as you can get them in a variety of different colors. 

Highlighters

A highlighter set is a perfect addition to your bullet journal supply pack. You can use different colors to highlight your journal's most critical tasks or ensure specific items catch your attention.

Ruler/straight edge

Although the laser dots in bullet journals make drawing charts easier, some of us not blessed with artistic abilities may still struggle to make the lines straight. A simple six-inch ruler is a fantastic tool for ensuring all your tables maintain sharp edges.

Craft Tape

Craft tape is a fantastic tool for journaling. Also called washi tape, the thin, decorative tape allows you to underline titles, create boxes, and easily decorate your journal's margins.

Washi tape comes in so many colors and designs that it’s almost overwhelming. I want them all!

Craft Box

Finally, you need something to hold your wonderful bullet journal supplies.

A simple pencil case will work if you don’t have a lot. However, if you decide to go all out, you may want a larger craft box to hold everything.

Shop Bullet Journal Supplies at Blick:

Combining Your Bullet Journal with Other Types of Journals

I love bullet journaling by itself because I have ADHD and need to stay on track. But creative folks may need more from a journal. 

You can achieve that by combining your bullet journal with a scrapbook, art journal, or diary. Put everything together in a massive junk journal, or keep separate journals for different aspects of your life. 

There’s no right or wrong method for journaling, but you may need different supplies depending on your intended use. If you lean towards crafts and scrapbooking, you may need scissors, tape, and stationery. If you incorporate art journaling into your bullet journal, you may want pastels, watercolors, and art pens.

How Do I Start a Bullet Journal?

Starting a bullet journal is simple, but it may seem overwhelming. Don’t overthink it. The best way to learn something new is to dive in and try it. 

Grab a bullet journal and get started!

For inspiration, check out our massive list of bullet journal ideas. You’ll find ideas on how to use your bullet journal to track goals, habits, and meals, in addition to ideas on creating monthly or weekly bullet journal spreads. 

There are hundreds of ways to use your bullet journal, so use the inspiration as a guide and do what feels right for you.

Bullet Journal Supplies are Personal

Bullet journaling is a personal journey. Many people love turning their bullet journals into art projects, but you don’t have to if that doesn’t speak to you.

 There’s nothing wrong with sticking to a simple black ink pilot pen and paper craft notebook for bullet journaling if that works for you.

 Everything else is just a bonus; all that matters is that your journal works for you.