10 Vintage Postcard Inspirations for Eye-Catching Junk Journal Layouts

Today, I’m super excited to share with you 10 amazing vintage postcard inspirations that’ll take your junk journal layouts to the next level.

Let’s dive in!

Romantic Victorian-Era Postcard Designs:

Oh boy, where do I even start with Victorian-era postcards? They’re like the grandmothers of all vintage postcards – elegant, intricate, and oh-so-romantic!

Let’s talk about those floral motifs and intricate borders, shall we? They’re like little works of art! I love using them as focal points in my layouts. One trick I’ve learned is to carefully cut out individual flowers or border elements and use them as embellishments throughout your journal. It adds a touch of Victorian charm without overwhelming the page.

And don’t even get me started on the sentimental messages and poetic verses! They’re perfect for adding a romantic vibe to your journal. I once found a postcard with the most beautiful love poem written in gorgeous calligraphy. I was so inspired that I spent weeks practicing my own calligraphy to recreate it (it didn’t turn out quite as pretty, but it was fun trying!).

Here’s a pro tip: try incorporating lace and fabric elements alongside your Victorian postcards. I’ve found that adding a small strip of vintage lace or a delicate piece of fabric really enhances that romantic, old-world feel.

Art Nouveau Postcards for Elegant Layouts:

Those flowing lines and natural forms are what make Art Nouveau postcards so special. I love using them as backgrounds for my journal pages.

The bold, stylized typography is like eye candy for typography nerds like me! I’ve found that mixing Art Nouveau lettering with modern handwriting creates this really cool contrast in my journals.

One thing that really helped me step up my Art Nouveau game was creating cohesive color schemes based on the postcards. Those muted, earthy tones with pops of jewel colors are just chef’s kiss.

Travel-Themed Postcards for Adventure Journals:

There’s just something about those vintage map elements and destination imagery that makes me want to pack my bags and hit the road. I mean, who needs Google Maps when you’ve got these beauties, right? (Okay, maybe we still need Google Maps, but you get what I mean!)

I love using vintage map elements as backgrounds in my adventure journals.

The postmarks and stamps are like the cherry on top of your travel-themed layouts. I’ve become a bit of a stamp hoarder over the years (don’t judge!). I love using them as decorative accents, especially around the edges of my pages. It gives that “well-traveled” vibe, even if the furthest I’ve traveled lately is to the corner store for more craft supplies.

Nostalgic Holiday Postcard Inspirations:

Okay, can we talk about how adorable vintage holiday postcards are? They’re like little time machines that transport you straight back to grandma’s house during the holidays. I’ve got a whole box dedicated to these gems, and it’s my happy place during craft sessions!

Christmas, Easter, Halloween – you name it, there’s a vintage postcard for it. I’m particularly obsessed with old Christmas postcards. Those chubby-cheeked Santas and glittery snow scenes? To die for!

The seasonal color schemes and motifs are what really make these postcards pop in your layouts. I love how the colors are slightly faded, giving everything this dreamy, nostalgic feel.

Pro tip: try matching your ink colors to the postcard palette when journaling around these beauties. It ties everything together nicely.

Now, here’s where it gets fun – mixing vintage holiday postcards with modern embellishments. I love adding things like washi tape or stickers that complement the vintage vibe.

And don’t be afraid to use these postcards off-season. Who says you can’t have a touch of Christmas in July? I once used an Easter postcard in a spring-themed spread, and it worked surprisingly well. Get creative and break those seasonal rules!

Ephemera Collages Using Vintage Postcard Elements:

Layering techniques with postcard fragments is an art form in itself.

Here’s a pro tip: start with photocopies of your favorite postcards if you’re hesitant about cutting up the originals. I learned this the hard way after accidentally butchering a rare postcard (oops!). Now, I always make copies first, which also means I can use the same design multiple times. Win-win!

Combining postcards with other vintage paper elements is where the magic really happens. Old book pages, ticket stubs, newspaper clippings – throw ’em all in there!

Creating depth and texture in your journal spreads is key to making your collages pop. I like to use different techniques like curling the edges of paper pieces or adding small accordion folds to create dimension.

Oh, and don’t forget about the back of the postcards! Those handwritten messages and addresses can add such a personal touch to your collages. I once found a postcard with the sweetest message from a soldier to his sweetheart during World War II. You bet that went straight into my journal!

Distressed and Aged Postcard Effects:

Let’s get down and dirty with some distressed and aged postcard effects! This is where we channel our inner time-travelers and make brand spanking new postcards look like they’ve been through a war (or at least a few decades in someone’s attic).

First things first – artificially aging modern postcards. This is like the fountain of youth, but in reverse!

Coffee staining and tea dyeing are my go-to methods for aging papers.

Pro tip: let your tea-dyed papers dry naturally for that authentic crinkled look.

One of my favorite aging techniques is sandpaper distressing. It’s oddly satisfying to gently rub away at the edges of a postcard. Just be careful not to get too enthusiastic – I once got so into it that I sanded right through the middle of the card. Oops!

I like to gently fold and unfold my postcards to give them that well-traveled look. It’s like giving your postcards a fake travel history. Who knows, maybe in another life, that postcard really did make it all the way from Paris to New York!

Botanical and Nature-Inspired Postcard Layouts:

Alright, nature lovers, this one’s for you! Botanical and nature-inspired postcard layouts are like bringing a little slice of the outdoors into your junk journal.

I remember finding a postcard with the most gorgeous vintage rose illustration. I was so inspired that I tried to recreate it with my own watercolors. It ended up looking more like a cabbage than a rose, but hey, it’s the thought that counts, right?

Bird and insect motifs in postcards are another favorite of mine. There’s something so whimsical about a delicate butterfly or a majestic bird frozen in time on a postcard.

Creating nature journal spreads with postcard elements is where things get really fun. I love mixing and matching different elements to create little nature scenes.

Here’s a pro tip: try pressing real flowers or leaves alongside your vintage botanical postcards. It adds a wonderful 3D element to your layouts. Just make sure they’re completely dry before adding them to your journal.

I love adding little handwritten labels or “field notes” next to my postcard elements.

Vintage Advertising Postcards for Unique Themes:

These little beauties are like time capsules of consumer culture, and they’re absolute gold for creating unique themed sections in your junk journals.

First up, let’s talk about those retro product advertisements and packaging. I’m talking about everything from old-school soap ads to vintage soda pop postcards. I once found a postcard advertising a “miracle” hair growth tonic from the 1920s. The before and after pictures were hilarious! I couldn’t resist using it in a spread about bad hair days.

The typography and graphic design inspiration from these postcards are off the charts. It’s like a crash course in the evolution of design! I love studying the different fonts and layouts. Fair warning though – you might find yourself falling down a rabbit hole of vintage font research.

Here’s a tip: try mixing vintage ad postcards with modern elements for a fun contrast.

Some of the claims and slogans are so outrageous by today’s standards that they’re comedy gold. I love adding little commentary bubbles to point out the most ridiculous bits. It’s like having a conversation with the past!

Photographic Postcards for Personal Touch:

These little windows into the past are like finding old family photos, except you don’t have to listen to Great Aunt Mildred’s hour-long story about each one (love you, Aunt Mildred!).

Incorporating vintage portrait postcards into your layouts is like inviting a bunch of mysterious strangers into your journal. I love imagining stories for these people from the past. Once, I found a postcard of a very stern-looking Victorian lady, and I spent way too much time creating an elaborate backstory for her in my journal. I decided she was secretly a spy. Why not, right?

Landscape and cityscape postcard imagery are perfect for creating dreamy, travel-inspired spreads.

One of my favorite spreads is a “Then and Now” page, where I paired a vintage postcard of my hometown with a recent photo I took. The changes were mind-blowing!

Pro tip: If you’re using original photos, make sure to use acid-free materials to protect them.

DIY Vintage-Style Postcards for Custom Layouts:

Let’s talk techniques for creating your own vintage-inspired postcards.

Stamps, inks, and papers are your best friends when it comes to getting that authentic vintage look.

Pro tip: invest in some good quality watercolor paper.

Now, here’s where it gets really fun – personalizing postcards for specific journal themes. It’s like being the director of your own vintage postcard production! I once created a whole series of “postcards from imaginary places” for a fantasy-themed journal. Coming up with postmarks for places like “Dragonville” and “Unicorn Peak” was way too much fun.

One of my favorite techniques is using old book pages as a base for DIY postcards. It adds instant vintage charm, plus you get to feel like a literary rebel. Just make sure you’re not cutting up any valuable first editions!

You can try combining watercolors, stamps, and even a bit of stitching to create unique postcards.

The key to great DIY vintage postcards is embracing imperfections. Those little smudges and wrinkles? They’re not mistakes, they’re character! I used to get so frustrated when things didn’t turn out perfectly, but now I love the unique quirks of each handmade postcard. It’s like they each have their own personality!

Wrapping it up:

What a journey through the wonderful world of vintage postcards in junk journaling! From romantic Victorian designs to DIY creations, we’ve covered it all. Isn’t it amazing how these little pieces of paper can add so much character and story to our journals?

As we wrap up, I just want to encourage you all to experiment with different styles and techniques. Don’t be afraid to mix and match, or to put your own spin on these ideas.

One thing I’ve learned over my years of junk journaling is that there’s no “right” way to do it. Your journal is your personal creative playground. So go ahead, cut up those postcards (or make copies if you’re not ready for that yet), get your hands dirty with some coffee staining, and create layouts that make your heart happy.

If you have any of your own vintage postcard tips and tricks, please spill the tea! We’re all in this junk journaling journey together, and sharing ideas is half the fun.

Happy crafting, everyone!

More Ideas/ Inspiration below: