What You Actually Get With a Junk Journal Subscription — And Is It Worth It?

If you've been spending any time in the junk journaling world lately, you've probably noticed more memberships and subscriptions popping up.

And it makes sense to wonder:

What do you actually get for that monthly payment? And is a subscription really worth it?

The answer depends quite a bit on how you create.

Think of it like a library for your craft table

A junk journal membership is a little different from buying individual digital products.

Instead of choosing one folio, one set of journal pages or one collection every time you want to create something, a membership gives you access to a larger library for one monthly price.

Depending on the membership, that might include journal pages, digital papers, folios, ephemera, tags, mini books, paperclips and other printable projects.

The biggest difference is choice.

You don't necessarily have to decide what you're going to make before you sit down to create. You can browse, find something that catches your eye and start there.

And if the library continues to grow, what you have access to grows along with it.

Who is a subscription actually good for?

If you're someone who is regularly at your journal table — whether that's every week or several times a month — having a larger library available can be incredibly convenient.

Maybe you're working on a floral journal this week and something completely different next month.

Instead of purchasing a new kit every time your project changes direction, you can simply look through what's already available to you.

It also takes away some of that “which one do I buy?” feeling.

Sometimes you don't need more decisions. You just want to sit down and make something.

But a subscription isn't necessarily for everyone

And this is the part I think is important to say honestly.

If you only create a couple of journals a year, or you already have a huge collection of digital supplies waiting to be used, buying individual products when you need them might make more sense.

There's no reason to pay for ongoing access to something you aren't going to use.

A membership is most valuable when you actually use the library.

What should you look for before joining?

If you're considering a junk journal membership, there are a few things I'd look at before signing up.

Is the library actually growing?

A membership can sound impressive when it launches, but what matters is what happens afterward. Are new products actually being added, or are you simply paying for access to the same collection month after month?

What happens to the things you download?

This is an important one. Some memberships provide ongoing access only while you're a member. Others allow you to keep the files you've downloaded even if you eventually cancel.

Make sure you understand the terms before joining.

Is the pricing simple?

Personally, I think you should be able to understand what you're paying without having to calculate complicated tiers, download limits or additional fees.

How the Northern Vault works

This is exactly why I created the Northern Vault at Northern Simplicities.

It's designed to be a growing library of my work rather than a small collection that stays the same.

For one monthly membership price, members have access to the entire Vault library, including journal pages, papers, folios, ephemera, hidden paperclips, loaded tags, mini books and more.

And I'm continuing to add to it.

The Vault has already grown past 170 designs, with new pieces being added several times a week. Both new releases and older collections are being added as I continue building the library.

And one thing I wanted to make very clear from the beginning: anything you download is yours to keep, even if you eventually decide the membership isn't for you anymore.

The Northern Vault is currently $10 USD per month.

You can take a look at what's inside here:

[Explore the Northern Vault]

So... is a junk journal subscription worth it?

There really isn't one answer.

If you're a regular creator who loves having lots of choices and enjoys discovering new projects, a growing membership can be a wonderful addition to your craft table.

If you only create occasionally, individual purchases may be the better choice.

The important thing is finding the option that fits the way you actually create.

For me, the goal with the Northern Vault has always been simple: I wanted to create a place where you could come in, wander around, find something that inspires you and simply start making.

No need to choose just one collection.

Just plenty of paper, plenty of possibilities, and a library that keeps growing. 🤍