Essential Materials for Bible Journaling: A Complete Guide

Bible journaling is a creative and spiritual way to engage with scripture, allowing you to express your faith visually while reflecting on God’s Word. Whether you are new to Bible journaling or looking to upgrade your tools, choosing the right materials is essential for a rewarding experience. This guide will walk you through the basic and advanced supplies you’ll need, from pencils and pens to stickers and washi tapes, and help you understand how to select the best options for your unique journaling style.

1. Journaling Bible or Notebook

The first thing you need is a proper Bible or a notebook dedicated to your journaling practice. There are two main options:

Journaling Bibles: These Bibles come with wide margins, specifically designed for note-taking and illustrations. Some have pre-printed templates, while others offer blank spaces for your creativity.
Notebooks or Sketchbooks: If you don’t want to draw directly in your Bible, a separate notebook is a great alternative. This allows more flexibility in layout and page structure.

When choosing a Bible or notebook, consider the type of paper. Thicker pages (like in premium journaling Bibles) prevent ink and paint from bleeding through, which is essential if you plan to use heavier media like watercolor or markers.

2. Pens and Pencils

The right writing tools are crucial to avoid smudging, ghosting, or bleed-through. Here are some top recommendations:

Micron Pens: These pens are highly regarded in the Bible journaling community for their fine tips and no-bleed ink. They come in various nib sizes, allowing you to create detailed designs without damaging the delicate pages of your Bible.
Gel Pens: Smooth-flowing and often available in vibrant colors, gel pens are another great choice for outlining or adding highlights. Just make sure they are acid-free to preserve the longevity of your journal pages.
Colored Pencils: For shading, layering, and adding depth, colored pencils are perfect. Brands like Prismacolor and Faber-Castell offer rich pigments that blend beautifully on the page without bleeding through.
Mechanical Pencils: Use pencils to sketch your designs first, especially if you’re not yet confident with drawing directly in ink. This ensures that you can make changes before finalizing your work.

3. Highlighters and Markers

Adding color is a key part of Bible journaling, and highlighters and markers are excellent tools for emphasizing important verses or creating vibrant artwork.

Bible-Safe Highlighters: Traditional highlighters can bleed through thin Bible paper, so opt for Bible-safe highlighters. These are typically gel-based or dry highlighters that won’t seep through.
Tombow Dual Brush Pens: Known for their soft brush tips and fine bullet nibs on the other end, Tombow markers are excellent for creating both detailed lines and soft shading. These water-based markers are also blendable, allowing for smooth color transitions.

4. Stickers and Washi Tapes

If you’re not confident in your drawing skills, or just want to add some fun embellishments, stickers and washi tapes are perfect for making your pages pop without much effort.

Stickers: From inspirational quotes to cute decorative icons, stickers are an easy way to personalize your journaling pages. Look for high-quality, acid-free stickers that won’t fade over time. There are even transparent Bible journaling stickers designed specifically for use in Bibles to avoid covering up the text.
Washi Tapes: These decorative masking tapes come in a wide variety of patterns and colors and are a favorite among Bible journalers. They’re perfect for creating borders, marking pages, or adding pops of color. The best part? Washi tape is easily repositionable and won’t damage the thin pages of your Bible.

5. Stencils and Templates

For those who prefer precise designs or aren’t confident in freehand drawing, stencils and templates are game changers.

Lettering Stencils: These allow you to add beautiful hand-lettered phrases without needing advanced calligraphy skills. Simply trace over the stencil to create neat and uniform text.
Design Stencils: Choose from floral patterns, geometric shapes, or spiritual symbols like crosses and doves to easily add decorative elements to your pages.
Rulers and Guides: A basic ruler or shape guide can help you keep things straight and uniform, especially for drawing grids or aligning text.

6. Watercolors and Paints

If you’re looking to take your Bible journaling to the next level, incorporating watercolors or acrylic paints can bring your pages to life. However, not all paints are suitable for Bible pages, so choose wisely.

Watercolor Sets: Watercolors are a popular medium for Bible journaling because they’re soft, translucent, and won’t cover up the text. Use light washes of color to create backgrounds or detailed illustrations. Brands like Winsor & Newton and Kuretake Gansai Tambi offer high-quality pigments that are perfect for journaling.
Acrylic Paints: If you prefer bolder colors, acrylic paints work well, but be cautious of bleed-through. Use thin layers and make sure your pages are properly prepped with a gesso base to protect the paper.

7. Other Useful Tools

Gesso: A thin layer of gesso applied to Bible pages can protect the paper from bleed-through when using paints. It also creates a textured surface that holds paint better.
Heat Tool: If you use paints or ink, a heat tool can quickly dry your pages, preventing smudging or wrinkles.
Blending Brushes: For creating smooth gradients or shading with ink, blending brushes are perfect. They allow for precise color control without harsh lines.

How to Choose the Best Materials for You

The key to choosing the right Bible journaling materials lies in understanding your personal style and the techniques you enjoy using. Here are some tips to help you decide:

Start Simple: If you’re just starting, you don’t need to buy every tool at once. Begin with a journaling Bible, a few pens, and some washi tape. You can gradually expand your collection as you grow more comfortable with the process.
Test Your Supplies: Since Bible paper is thin, test any new materials on a separate page or notebook before using them in your Bible. Check for bleed-through, smudging, and durability.
Invest in Quality: High-quality tools like archival pens and acid-free stickers will preserve your artwork for years to come. It’s worth investing in a few good supplies that will last.

Conclusion

Bible journaling is a personal and rewarding practice, and having the right tools makes all the difference. Whether you're working with simple pens or experimenting with watercolors, there are endless ways to creatively express your faith. The key is to find materials that resonate with your style and allow you to connect with scripture in a meaningful way. Start small, experiment with different supplies, and most importantly, enjoy the process of worshiping God through your creativity.