Whenever I want to add a full layout of color to a dot grid journal spread, I use Distress Inks by Ranger.
The first time I added Distress Ink to my layout, I didn’t know what the outcome would be. I was completely hesitant when the small portion of ink hit my pristine page for the first time. I had to stay committed to the plan. I couldn’t turn back.
The entire page was covered in pink. I was totally disappointed. I just ruined my layout. In fact, I just ruined my entire journal. The other 17 pages were perfectly created and unblemished. Let me take a step back. I loved the pink page, it turned out just as I wanted. The part I was disappointed with, the ghosting and the bleeding that transferred over to the other pages.
I condemned my Distress Inks. I swore I’d never use them in my journal ever again…that was until I realized it had nothing to do with the inks and had everything to do with the paper quality in the journal.
At the time I bought my journal, I simply selected it based on color. I didn’t put any thought into the purchase because I was a newb to journaling and quite honestly, I just didn’t know. At the beginning, I never even considered using stamps, stencils, or inks in my notebook. I went into journaling with the belief that all journals were created equally. Totally not the case.
If only I had done some research I would’ve realized this, journal paper quality varies. Here’s some food for thought. When purchasing a journal, consider purchasing one with a gsm of 100 or higher. GSM stands for grams per square meter, in other words, the higher the gsm the heavier the paper (that’s good). If a journal doesn’t advertise a number (many don’t) then move on to one that does.
It’s been over a year and a half since I “ruined” my first journal. Since then, I’ve changed the type of dot grid journal I use. I use one that’s 100gsm. I even have a journal that’s 150gsm. Both journals take Distress Ink like champs! For details on my 9 must have journaling supplies, click here.
Keep this in mind. When covering an entire journal layout with Distress Ink, the paper will likely curl a bit (mine do). The curl is temporary and it’s happening because the ink is moist (I hate that word). To help avoid damage to the Distress Ink page or the following page, wait until the ink is fully dry before creating on it (slightly damp paper tears easily). To expedite the drying speed, use a heat gun or blow dryer. The curled page will become uncurled once the journal is closed.
I’ve chosen brown Distress Inks to continue with my fall themed September layouts. I’m not particularly fond of how this layout turned out (it’s boring and the colors are blah). Check it out.
Supplies
- Notebook
- Distress Ink (set #3)
- Blending Foam and Tool
- Stencil
- Removable Adhesive
- Thumbtack Stamp
- Acrylic Block
- Brush Pen
- Brown Marker
- Ink Pad
Step One
I took some leftover cardstock pieces, placed removable adhesive (or washi tape) on the back and stuck them onto various parts of the notebook. I did this so the Distress Ink wouldn’t transfer to the covered parts of the page.
Step Two
Then, using medium/light pressure, I applied light coat of Distress Ink (vintage photo) with the blending foam application tool. Once the page was covered, I placed my stencil on top and applied a darker Distress Ink (walnut stain). In my experience, when using the Blending Foam Tool for the first time, it doesn’t glide smoothly. It takes a bit of wear and tear for the blending foam to work smoothly.
Step Three
I outlined the boxes with a brown marker and added some lettering with a Tombow brush pen.
Step Four
I placed a thumbtack stamp on an acrylic block, added some black ink, and stamped each box. Last, with the same brush pen I used to letter the month, I lettered the days of the week.
