The Supply List Problem
Search "Bible journaling supplies" and you will find haul videos featuring hundreds of dollars of pens, stamps, dies, washi tape collections, and specialty Bibles. It looks beautiful. It also looks expensive and complicated. Here is the truth: you can start Bible journaling today with supplies you already own, and you can sustain a meaningful practice with fewer than ten items. This guide separates what is essential from what is optional.
The One Non-Negotiable: A Place to Write
Everything else on this list is optional. You need somewhere to write. That means one of the following:
- A wide-margin Bible — a study Bible printed with extra space in the margins for notes and artwork. Popular choices include the Journaling Bible by Crossway (ESV), the NLT Alabaster Bible, and the CSB (in)courage Journaling Bible. Expect to pay $30–$60.
- A companion notebook — any notebook kept alongside your regular Bible. A simple composition notebook works. Many journalers prefer dot-grid or blank pages for flexibility.
- A digital journaling app — more on this below.
If you are not sure whether you will maintain the habit, start with a notebook you already own before investing in a wide-margin Bible.
Essential Supplies (Under $30 Total)
Fine-Tip Pens
A good pen matters more than almost anything else. For writing in Bible margins, you need a pen that does not bleed through thin Bible paper. The Micron Pigma 01 and the Staedtler Triplus Fineliner are two reliable choices. Get one black fine-tip pen and you are set. If you want color, add a second pen in a warm tone — amber, burgundy, or navy.
Pencil
A standard pencil is underrated. Sketch lightly before you commit ink to a margin. Write prayers you later want to erase. Pencil is forgiving in a way that permanent ink is not.
Colored Pencils or a Small Highlighter Set
One set of quality colored pencils (Prismacolor or Faber-Castell) gives you everything you need for illustrated journaling without the learning curve of watercolors. Alternatively, a set of Bible-safe highlighters (Zebra Mildliners are popular because they do not bleed on thin paper) lets you color-code themes across passages.
Nice-to-Have Supplies (Add These Over Time)
Washi Tape
Washi tape is decorative paper tape, available in hundreds of patterns and colors. Bible journalers use it to create borders, section off pages, and add visual interest quickly. It is repositionable, which makes it forgiving for beginners. A starter pack of five rolls costs about $8–$12.
Watercolor Paints
Watercolor is the medium most associated with illustrated Bible journaling because it produces soft, translucent washes of color that complement rather than overwhelm text. A travel-size set of 12 colors (Winsor and Newton Cotman is a solid beginner choice) is enough. The challenge: watercolor can warp Bible paper. Many journalers apply a thin layer of gesso to the page first to stiffen it, or they work in a companion notebook.
Rubber Stamps and an Ink Pad
Pre-made stamps — foliage, crosses, script lettering, geometric shapes — let you add visual elements without drawing ability. One or two stamps with a single ink pad can significantly elevate the look of a page. Look for Christian-themed stamp sets from sellers on Etsy or craft stores.
White Gel Pen
A white gel pen (Sakura Gelly Roll is the standard recommendation) lets you write or draw on top of dark paint layers or dark washi tape. It is inexpensive and opens up a lot of design options.
Adhesive — Washi or Glue Stick
If you want to add printed ephemera, cut-out scriptures, or photographs to your pages, a glue stick or removable adhesive runner is useful. Avoid liquid glue, which warps thin paper.
What to Skip as a Beginner
- Die-cutting machines. These are for advanced crafters. You do not need one.
- Large stamp collections. Two or three stamps are enough to start. Buying in bulk before you know your style is wasteful.
- Specialty Bible journaling kits. Many retail kits bundle items you will never use. Build your own supply list intentionally.
- Expensive brush pens before you practice. Brush lettering has a learning curve. Buy an inexpensive brush pen to practice on scratch paper before using it in your Bible.
The Digital Alternative: No Supplies Required
Paper Bible journaling is tactile and beautiful, but it has real constraints: it is not searchable, you can't take it everywhere without carrying a bag, and getting started requires purchasing supplies. Digital Bible journaling solves all three problems.
A purpose-built app like HolyJot lets you attach written reflections to specific verses, organize entries by theme or date, and access your journal from any device. If you travel frequently, journal in the morning before your coffee is ready, or simply prefer typing to handwriting, digital journaling may fit your life better than paper. Start your free HolyJot account and try it alongside your paper practice — or instead of it.
For a deeper look at how the two approaches compare, read our full article on digital Bible journaling vs. paper.
A Starter Kit That Costs Under $40
- One composition notebook or dot-grid journal — $4
- Micron Pigma 01 black pen — $3
- Set of 6 Zebra Mildliner highlighters — $8
- Small set of colored pencils (12 count) — $10
- Two rolls of washi tape — $6
- One white gel pen — $3
Total: approximately $34. That is a complete, functional Bible journaling supply kit. Add a wide-margin Bible when you are ready to commit to the practice long-term.
The Right Mindset About Supplies
Supplies are tools, not prerequisites. Many of the most spiritually rich Bible journals ever kept were written in plain spiral notebooks with a single ballpoint pen. The depth of your engagement with Scripture is not determined by the quality of your art supplies. Start with what you have. Add what serves your practice. Resist the pull to acquire more before you have established the habit. For more on building that habit, explore our Bible journaling ideas and methods.