Free Printable Apothecary Ads – Vintage Ephemera for Junk Journals & Mixed Media
At a Glance
Free printable sheet of vintage apothecary and medicinal advertisements
Perfect for junk journals, altered books, and vintage-style mixed media spreads
Includes 19th-century graphics for cure-alls, tonics, bitters and more
What is this printable?
This collage sheet features a curated collection of antique apothecary advertisements, originally printed in the 19th century. They include promotions for tonics, syrups, pain medicines, and other medicinal images from vintage trade cards.
Each image is full of old-world charm: bold typography, serif headlines, and all the over-the-top claims you'd expect from the golden age of snake oil sales. These mini time capsules are perfect for adding a touch of curiosity and historical flair to your creative projects.
What can I use them for?
These printable apothecary ads are endlessly useful for:
Junk journaling with a curiosity cabinet or Victorian Gothic theme
Creating vintage-style pockets, tuck spots, or title cards
Adding quirky visual interest to art journaling spreads
Pairing with anatomical diagrams, insects, apothecary labels, or botanical drawings
Making themed envelopes, altered tags, or labels for handmade goods
Quick Inspiration Ideas
Tuck a “miracle cure” ad behind a photograph to create a mysterious narrative
Layer medicinal ads over tea-dyed paper for an aged, archival look
Use as ephemera in Halloween-themed or steampunk-style journals
Combine with handwriting samples, ledgers, or create your own imaginary medicines with these blank apothecary bottle labels
Collage into pages themed around healing, transformation, or mystery
Why do junk journalers love this kind of ephemera?
Vintage apothecary ads hit the sweet spot between history and imagination. They’re instantly recognizable but still leave room for interpretation. Whether you’re crafting something spooky, nostalgic, or just a little weird, they help set the scene and create texture that feels rooted in the past.
Explore the full archive of printable vintage ephemera sheets.
Love These Printables? Support The Art Scavenger!
I love sharing free vintage printables, and if you enjoy them, there are easy ways to support my work so I can continue creating and offering more free designs:
You may also enjoy these free collage sheets.
Terms of use:
Free to use for personal or commercial projects. You may print the collage sheets as many times as you wish for your personal crafts or in your projects to sell, including: scrapbooks, junk journals, collage art, etc. You may not redistribute or sell the collage sheets “as is" in either print or digital form.
If you wish to share the files on your own website, please do not make the files available for download directly from your site. Instead, include an image with a link back to this site. Pinning is always welcome and appreciated!
To the best of my knowledge, these are all royalty free images that are in the Public Domain in the US. However, you should always do your own research if you plan to use them commercially.
