Fantasy Bullet Journal DIY
Dreamy Vellum Overlays for Your Bullet Journal
Want a journal page that looks like a delicate veil of watercolor and magic? A printed vellum overlay adds translucent artwork without completely hiding the writing, collage, or journal layout beneath it.
In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to choose printable vellum, adjust your printer settings, prevent smeared ink, attach the overlay beside the journal fold, and conceal the folded vellum tab with a beautiful decorative border.
Materials You’ll Need
- Your fantasy vellum overlay printable
- 8.5 × 11-inch printable translucent vellum
- An inkjet or laser printer
- Plain printer paper for test prints
- Paper trimmer or craft knife
- Metal ruler and cutting mat
- Bone folder or blunt scoring stylus
- Vellum adhesive runner or clear-drying precision glue
- Washi tape or a decorative paper border
- A clean, dry work surface
What Kind of Vellum Should You Buy?
For this project, choose inkjet-compatible translucent vellum in approximately 29–40 lb text weight, often sold at around 100–150 gsm.
A medium-weight vellum is translucent enough to reveal the journal page underneath, but sturdy enough to score, fold, and turn like a separate page.
Check the package carefully. It should specifically say that the vellum is printable and compatible with your type of printer.
Recommended Printer Settings
| Paper loading | Feed one sheet of vellum at a time. Use the rear or manual feed when available. |
|---|---|
| Print side | Print on the smoother printable side. If the sides appear identical, make a small test print first. |
| Paper setting | Begin with Matte Paper, Presentation Paper, or the specialty-media setting recommended by your printer manufacturer. |
| Print quality | Use High quality. If the ink pools, reduce the quality by one setting. |
| Print size | Select Actual Size or 100%. Turn off Fit to Page when the dimensions must remain exact. |
How to Make Your Vellum Journal Overlay
Step 1: Make a Plain-Paper Test Print
Print the design on ordinary paper before using your specialty vellum. Check the size, orientation, fold placement, and which side of your journal the overlay will cover.
This inexpensive step prevents you from wasting vellum if the design needs to be resized or rotated.
Step 2: Print One Vellum Sheet at a Time
Handle the vellum by its edges and load one sheet into your printer. Avoid touching the printable surface because oils from your hands can affect the ink.
Watch the vellum as it leaves the printer. Do not allow another page to land on top of the wet design.
Step 3: Let the Printed Vellum Dry
Lift the vellum by its edges and lay it flat in a clean, dust-free area. Do not stack it, blot it, or test the surface with your finger.
Allow the ink to dry for at least 30–60 minutes. Designs with dense color may require several hours.
Step 4: Trim the Overlay
Cut around the artwork while preserving the narrow tab marked for glue. This extra tab becomes the hidden hinge that attaches the vellum to your journal.
Place the unglued overlay inside your journal to check the fit. Trim the outside edges only if they extend beyond the journal page.
Step 5: Score and Fold the Hinge
Place a metal ruler where the artwork meets the glue tab. Score the line lightly with a bone folder or blunt scoring stylus.
Fold the tab behind the artwork. Scoring the vellum first creates a clean hinge and helps prevent cracking or buckling.
Step 6: Choose the Right Adhesive
The neatest adhesive choices are:
- A vellum adhesive runner
- Narrow double-sided vellum tape
- A quick-grab precision craft glue that dries clear
Test the adhesive on a leftover vellum scrap before using it on your finished overlay.
When using liquid glue, apply the thinnest possible line along the hidden flap. Do not spread liquid glue across the visible artwork because excess moisture can wrinkle translucent paper.
Step 7: Attach the Vellum Beside the Fold
Open your bullet journal and allow it to lie as flat as possible. Position the scored edge of the vellum beside the center gutter.
Leave a very small amount of space between the hinge and the journal binding. This allows the vellum page to turn without catching or pulling.
Press only the folded glue flap onto the page. Burnish it gently through a clean piece of scrap paper.
Leave the journal open and undisturbed until the adhesive is completely dry.
Step 8: Cover the Folded Vellum on the Facing Page
After attaching the overlay, the folded vellum tab will be visible on the facing journal page. Covering it creates a neat, professional finish.
Cut a narrow strip of floral paper, lace-printed cardstock, coordinating patterned paper, or decorative washi tape. Make the strip slightly wider than the vellum flap.
Position the decorative strip parallel to the center gutter and adhere it over the entire vellum tab.
This hides the attachment, reinforces the hinge, and creates a beautiful bookbinding-style border on the facing page.
How to Avoid Common Vellum Problems
- Smeared ink: Extend the drying time and avoid touching freshly printed areas.
- Ink pooling: Confirm that your vellum is inkjet compatible and reduce the print-quality setting.
- Rippled vellum: Use less liquid adhesive or switch to a dry vellum tape runner.
- Visible glue: Keep all adhesive underneath the folded hinge or decorative border.
- Stiff page turning: Leave a tiny space between the hinge and the journal gutter.
- Cracked folds: Score the vellum gently before folding it.
Ideas for Styling Your Vellum Overlay
Layer your castle artwork over a handwritten reading log, a pale blush watercolor wash, a fantasy map fragment, or a favorite quotation.
The translucent surface softens whatever is underneath, allowing even a detailed journal spread to look romantic and atmospheric.
Complete the spread with dusty-pink tabs, antique-gold ink, a burgundy ribbon bookmark, pressed flowers, or tiny gold foil accents.
Vellum overlays can also be used to introduce a new month, divide reading-journal sections, conceal private notes, or create an enchanting title page for a fantasy reading challenge.
Ready to Create an Enchanted Journal Spread?
Discover fantasy, romantasy, Regency, cottagecore, Gothic, and vintage-inspired journal printables from MGT Printable Treasures.
Shop MGT Printable TreasuresFrequently Asked Questions
Can I print vellum in a regular home printer?
Usually, yes. The vellum must be designed for your type of printer and fall within its supported paper-weight range. Feed one sheet at a time and consult your printer manual before printing.
Can I use a glue stick?
You can test an archival glue stick on scrap vellum, but some formulas may show through or lift over time. A vellum adhesive runner or a very thin line of clear-drying precision glue normally creates a cleaner hinge.
How long should printed vellum dry?
Allow at least 30–60 minutes. Artwork with dense color may need several hours. Overnight drying is the safest choice before trimming, folding, or gluing.
Why attach the vellum at the journal fold?
Attaching the vellum beside the gutter creates a movable hinged page. You can lift or turn the overlay to reveal the entire journal spread underneath.
Where can I find coordinating journal printables?
Visit MGT Printable Treasures on Etsy for coordinating fantasy and vintage-inspired printables.
Printer, ink, paper, and adhesive formulas vary. Test each combination on a small vellum scrap before assembling your finished journal page.
© MGT Printable Treasures
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