Blog Post 3: Tags & Stamps — The Secret Layers That Transform Your Journals & Layouts
When words and images tell your story, tags and stamps provide the glue — the visual echoes and interactive elements that make your pages feel complete, cohesive, and rich with meaning. In this post, we’ll explore how to use tags and stamps intentionally, why you want them, and how they can elevate both your art journaling and scrapbooking practice.
Why Tags & Stamps Matter in Journals & Layouts
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Dimension and interaction: Tags let you tuck hidden notes behind photos, fold out extra content, or create pull tabs. They invite the viewer to peek deeper.
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Visual rhythm & repetition: Stamps echo motifs, textures, or sentiments across a layout so your eye travels naturally.
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Cohesion & theme building: Using consistent stamp styles or tag shapes ties pages together, making disparate elements feel intentional.
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Anchors for journaling & focal points: Tags can be a journaling spot, label, or a contrasting accent. Stamps can provide titles, quotes, or subtle backgrounds to support your story rather than compete.
Tag Ideas & How to Use Them
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Think beyond just paper tags — experiment with vellum, chipboard, acetate, fabric, or even cork. Here are some creative uses:
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Hidden journaling tags: Slip a journaled tag behind a photo mat or flap for secret reflections.
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Title tags: Use a tab-style tag as a heading spot for a page or section.
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Layered clusters: Stack your tag over or under ephemera, stitches, thread, or washi for texture.
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Interactive elements: Use tags as pull-outs or condition them with string or ribbon.
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Mixed media tags: Treat tags as mini canvases — stamp, paint, collage, and then attach them to your page.
Stamp Techniques & Best Practices
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Kinds of stamps you might use:
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Background / texture stamps: Patterns, grids, dots, scribbles — great as subtle texture behind images.
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Sentiment stamps: Phrases, quotes, dates — perfect for captions, titles, or journaling prompts.
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Image stamps / motifs: Icons, florals, shapes — for accent elements or layering.
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Alpha & number stamps: For adding dates, headers, or numeric journaling.
Tips for stamping success:
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Use a light touch: Press evenly, lift straight—especially on textured or collage surfaces.
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Choose ink wisely: Archival dye inks, pigment inks, and hybrid inks all have strengths. If stamping over gesso or paint, a pigment/versafine/mineral ink usually holds better.
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Stamp before layering heavy media: If you intend to paint or gloss over, stamp first so your image isn’t lost.
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Mask and layer: Use masking to partially stamp behind other elements, creating depth.
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Stamp off and re-use: One stamp impression can become a background, then an accent when stamped again lighter.
Pulling It All Together — Page Workflow
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Choose your journal & pen / paint pen combo (from earlier posts).
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Plan your layout — decide where photos, journaling, and focal points go.
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Stamp a subtle background or texture layer (lightly).
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Add your tags — tuck, overlay, or cluster.
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Journal, title, or add sentiment stamps.
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Go back with stamping over edges or accents to frame or repeat motifs.
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Finish with any paint pen or highlight details.
When executed thoughtfully, tags + stamps become the visual glue — they connect your journaling to your images and make the whole page feel like one intentional piece, not disparate bits stuck together.
What’s Next?
With your journal, pens, tags, and stamps working in harmony, your pages can breathe, resonate, and tell your story in layers. In the upcoming November newsletter, we’ll highlight photo prompts and gratitude journaling — perfect complements to everything you’ve learned in this series.
We hope you have enjoyed this series and it has helped you with your planning and you can add some of these tips to make your journalling pages even more spectacular.
#ScrappingClearly #ArtJournaling #MixedMediaArt #ScrapbookingInspiration #CreativeLayers #TagsAndStamps #JournalingIdeas #CraftSupplies #CreativeStorytelling #ScrapbookingAustralia
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