Are you interested in using a blackout journal to make unique spreads that stand out?
While blackout journals look amazing and push you out of your comfort zone to excel in your creativity, you will need to know a few tips and tricks before getting started.
If you are new to bullet journaling, check out this section where we cover everything we have learnt since starting our bullet journal journey: Bullet Journal
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What is a blackout journal?
A blackout journal is a notebook that consists of black paper. Blackout journals have quickly become a cult favorite because they make your spreads pop out from a traditional white journal. A black dotted notebook is much easier as there is a guide when lettering, drawing and planning your layout.
The notebook we use and recommend is from Archer and Olive. You can read a full in-depth review of their top-quality notebooks.
The Best Bullet Journal Notebook With Amazing Customer Service
What do you write in a blackout journal?
You use a blackout journal the same way you would a regular white notebook. The main difference is that you need to change the supplies you use in order for them to show up on black paper.
Some things you can write in a blackout journal are:
- Use it as a planner that includes monthly, weekly, and daily entries
- Doodles and drawings look amazing on black paper
- Scrapbooking spreads
- Memory entries which can include photos
- poetry
- habit and mood trackers
- writing down your goals
- Inspirational and motivational quotes
Best pens for blackout journal
If you want to use a blackout journal, having the right supplies is a must! Most pens won't show up on black paper. After trial and error, these are the stationery that worked the best to create our spreads.
- Sakura white gel rolly pen - This is going to be your most use item, that replaces your black pen.
- Sakura gold gel pen - If you love adding gold to your spreads then these are the smoothest we have found and they look beautiful on black paper.
3. Sakura gelly roll moonlight pens - We tried a few sets from the sakura gelly roll line and found that this set showed up the best on black paper. The colors are opaque and have a smooth flow. Also, the color range in this set is perfect and they include muted colors like taupe and brown. In addition, the other colors are not too bright, and we found this set to be our favorite.
3. Acrogrylaph marker paints - You have to work in layers when using these markers. Also, they need a bit of practice until you get used to them. But they have great colors that work beautifully with a blackout journal.
Best Paints for a blackout journal
1. Gensai Gambi paints - For the price set, you get a huge range of saturated colors that show up really well on blackout journals and are ready to use from the pan. An added plus is that they include three shimmery paints that can be used alone or layered on top of other colors.
2. Winsor & Newton Designers' Gouache Paint -
Gouache paints make stunning art in a blackout journal. This is the brand we tried. Surprisingly, it was more effortless to use than most of the pens we own, even if they are recommended for black paper.
Do gel pens show up on black paper?
Yes, gel pens do show up on black paper. Although something to consider is depending on the set you buy, you will achieve different results.
For example, the sakura moonlight pens show up very opaque and are matte, whereas the sakura glaze pens have a glossy, see-through 3D look.
What pens show up on black paper?
Gel pens work great on black paper, but here are other types of pens that we have tried.
The Acrylograph pens are water-based acrylic markers. It took us a while to get the hang of getting used to. They need to be shaken before use and stored horizontally. Also, you have to clean the tip so they last longer.
They work amazingly on dark paper.
Best cheap pens for black paper
8. The Kuretake zig pen doesn't get the attention they deserve. But they are at a great price point compared to others on this list. Although one downfall is that they transfer a bit on the next page.
To avoid them transferring on the next page you can place a paper between your spreads. We still love these, and they have lasted quite a long time.
9. The Crayola Metallic Markers are the cheapest we found on the market that works great on dark paper.
But one thing to consider is that the tips of these pens do fray, but they show up well. We still use them in our journals.
blackout journal ideas
Halloween theme
I think Halloween was the perfect time to start a blackout journal. I began with coloring the spread with gel pens from the Sakura moonlight collection. Secondly, I used a white gel pen to outline everything from the lettering to the haunted house. Finally, using the Gensai Tambi gold to paint the gold moon and make it really stand out.
As for the weekly spreads, I think by the time I finished this theme, I used up a whole white gel pen 🤷♀️
On my last weekly spread, you can see how muted and opaque the purple cat's hat is on black paper, this weekly spread has to be my favorite. I got the courage to explore using different colors from the moonlight set, and they worked beautifully together. No surprise here, that I used my trusty white gel pen for the weekly layout!
Blackout journal mood and habit tracker ideas
My Halloween habit tracker was the most creative of all my spreads. Starting with drawing a haunted house with a white gel marker and using the pumpkins to color in as my mood tracker. I'm not going to lie, this spread definitely took time, but it was all worth it in the end!
These are some inspirational ideas for mood and habit trackers, using a blackout journal. Experimenting with all the different mediums, Gouache paints were the easiest when it came to illustrations
Pink and purple marble theme
I had an idea to make a marble effect theme, but I had no idea if it would work. So, I just layered colors and tried to blend them in using the Gensai Tambi paints. Until I got an effect that I was happy with.
The cover page felt like I was going in blind. But once I had done it once, the rest of the theme was straightforward.
I went in for an abstract effect drawing swirly lines with a black fine liner pen. I used my gold Edding pen for the lettering and the border (which in no way turned out perfect).
This theme's spreads were done using the same technique, and simply using different layouts. It turned out to be easier than I thought, and it didn't need much planning or overthinking. All-in-all it was so relaxing to just have fun with painting colors.
Blackout Journal Creative page ideas
The lettering was all done using the Sakura moonlight markers. I used the marble effect as a border in this spread. Don't forget to line it with masking or washi tape so you have a clean result. I outlined the word 'everything' with a white gel pen for an extra pop.
December winter theme
I think this is my all-time favorite.
If you want to recreate this theme, here are some tips we found helpful:
- Use gel markers for all the lettering and small details.
- We painted the penguins using Guaoche paints, which made them really stand out.
- The process takes time, because all these mediums need to dry.
Want to see more theme inspiration? This is the place you want to go to: plan with me
blackout journal alternative
If you can't access a blackout journal but want to achieve the same result, you can use any notebook.
- Use black paper and just paste it in your journal to parts or even the full page depending on the design.
- Using a black marker, color in the background of your spread to achieve similar results.
tips for using a blackout journal
We found using a blackout journal for the first time wasn't as easy as we expected, but after using it for a couple of months, these are the tips we pick up on to make the process much easier.
- Using a black dot grid notebook is so much easier to make layouts and especially lettering
- When drafting your spread, make sure to use the lightest pencil such as a H or even a 2H. It does leave a mark, so try to use a light hand.
- The eraser you use is quite important. We tried so many, and the Muji black eraser was the easiest to use without leaving marks.
- Guoache paint was one of the easiest mediums to use. It would give such an opaque color. Just be sure to let the paper dry between layers to have minimal warping.
- You can color in a section with any gel marker or paint. Once it is dry, you can write over it with a black fine line pen.
- Having a backup of a white gel pen is going to come in handy.
- The hardest thing we found, was to wait for the gel pens to dry. You have to keep reminding yourself not to accidently smudge the ink with your hand.
I hope this inspired you to give using a blackout journal a try!
While I only used it for three months, just because I missed the versatility of using a white paper journal. I'm definitely coming back to this journal to try new themes, especially now that I know the RIGHT supplies to use.
If you want to see all the supplies we love to use for bullet journaling, head over here: supplies
Until next time...
Please comment below if you have any questions or suggestions. We would love to hear some feedback.
'Happy journaling, everyone, and don't forget to stay safe!'