How to Make a Paper Pocket in a Journal for Tickets, Notes, and Keepsakes

A small paper pocket gives loose tickets, notes, and flat keepsakes a place to live inside a journal. This version uses a folded sheet and adhesive on three edges, so the opening stays accessible. Test the fold on scrap paper first, especially in a notebook with a narrow margin.

Choose a page and keep the pocket light

Pick a sturdy page near the back cover or a divider—not the center fold, where extra layers can make the journal harder to close. Measure the object you want to store, then make the pocket slightly wider and taller. A pocket for a ticket does not need to hold a stack of cards.

Fold and attach the pocket

1. Cut a rectangle of decorative or plain paper. Leave a small margin around the item you plan to tuck inside.
2. Fold the bottom edge upward to create the pocket’s front. Make the fold deep enough to hold the item but low enough to leave it easy to grasp.
3. Fold narrow tabs along the left and right edges. Crease them carefully, then open the pocket flat again.
4. Apply a thin line of paper-safe adhesive to the tabs and bottom edge only. Press the pocket onto the selected page and keep the top open.
5. Let the adhesive set before adding anything. Test with one light item first.

Make a thumb notch or label

A shallow half-circle cut at the center of the front edge makes a ticket easier to retrieve. Or add a small label—“tickets,” “notes,” or a date—so the pocket has a clear purpose. Avoid filling it with thick objects; a paper pocket is for flat ephemera, not storage for bulky supplies.

Keep the page usable

Check that the pocket does not cover writing you still need, and that the journal closes without pressure. If the adhesive wrinkles thin paper, use less and support the page while it dries. A removable washi strip can decorate the edge, but it should not be relied on as the pocket’s only structural support.

For other ways to use decorative sheets, see material paper collage ideas for journaling, and browse stickers, washi tapes, and paper-craft supplies.

FAQ

Can I make a pocket with washi tape alone?

Washi can decorate an edge or hold a very light fold, but its grip varies by tape and paper. For a pocket you will use repeatedly, folded tabs with a small amount of suitable adhesive are more dependable.

Where should I put a journal pocket?

Near a back cover or divider is usually practical. Avoid the spine and any page that already needs to lie flat.