Free Flower Collage Printables + How to Art Journal Without Drawing
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How to Art Journal Without Drawing: Use Free Printable Collage Images for Instant Inspiration
Art journaling is a wonderful creative outlet, and for some, it includes pages filled with beautiful sketches, expressive doodles, and painterly spreads. But what if drawing isn’t your thing? Maybe you’re intimidated by a blank page, or you simply don’t enjoy sketching (I don't). Here’s the good news: you can still create gorgeous art journal pages without drawing a single line.
In fact, one of the most versatile and accessible tools for non-drawing creatives is the humble collage image. With printable ephemera, you can build beautiful layered spreads, tell visual stories, and express your emotions, all without picking up a pencil. In this post, we’ll explore how to art journal without drawing, where to find free printable collage sheets, and how to use them in your mixed media projects.
Free Giveaway: Floral Collage Sheet Set from The Art Scavenger
To help you get started, I'm offering a free printable collage sheet set featuring vintage flower illustrations! These two beautiful sheets are perfect for spring pages, gratitude journals, or floral-themed collages. They include:
A collage sheet of 2.5 x 3.5 inch ATC (Artist Trading Card) floral images
A collage sheet of 2-inch floral images
These prints are taken from authentic vintage botanical illustrations, curated and sized for creative use. Just download, print, cut, and start creating.
Scroll down in the post to see the preview images and download options.
Now let’s explore how to build an art journal practice using collage sheets like these.
Why Art Journaling Doesn’t Require Drawing
Drawing anxiety is a real barrier for many creative people. We often compare our skills to others or assume that we have to be technically “good” to be creative. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Art journaling isn’t about perfection. It’s about process, exploration, and self-expression. Your journal is a private space to play, reflect, and make meaning. Some of the most powerful art journal pages feature no drawing at all. Instead, they use texture, color, and composition to evoke emotion or document a moment.
Mixed-media collage has been an artistic game changer for me. I’ve always felt “creative,” but never “artistic” because drawing always felt like a chore for me. I love the visual arts, and I always found myself wanting to create, but I would get stuck when it came time to sit down and do it. I’d stare at a blank sheet of paper and feel completely lost. Experimenting with collage art changed everything for me. It’s like a return to the parts of art that I enjoyed most when I was a kid - abstract painting, cutting and pasting, doodling, etc.
By letting go of the pressure to draw, you free yourself to explore other mediums and tools. That’s where printable collage images come in.
The Power of Printable Collage Images
Printable collage images are a game changer for anyone looking to art journal without drawing. These pre-made, beautifully curated visuals can serve as:
Focal points for your page
Inspiration prompts when you’re stuck
Layering elements for mixed media
Mood setters for visual storytelling
Because printables come in all styles — vintage, botanical, anatomical, whimsical, etc. — you can choose images that resonate with your current mood or project.
Collage sheets also save time. Instead of spending an hour sketching, you can flip through a stack of printed ephemera and quickly build a composition that feels polished and expressive.
And let’s not forget accessibility. If you have a printer (or print at your local library or office store) and some basic supplies, you can access a huge range of beautiful images without needing to buy expensive materials or develop a new skill.
2.5” x 3.5” ATCs
Where to Find Beautiful Free Printables
If you’re ready to dive into printable collage art, The Art Scavenger is a great place to begin. My site offers a growing library of free high-resolution ephemera sheets designed specifically for journaling, scrapbooking, and mixed media projects. I source all of my collage sheets from authentic vintage materials such as antique books, magazines, catalogs, ephemera, etc.
Some of the many categories you’ll find include:
Vintage Flowers – Ideal for spring spreads, romantic themes, or botanical pages
French Ephemera – Perfect for travel journals, nostalgia themes, and backgrounds
Victorian Trade Cards – Whimsical, colorful, and often humorous
Alphabet Book Illustrations – Great for themed journaling or word art
Old Photographs – Atmospheric portraits and snapshots from the past
Each sheet is curated for visual appeal, historical interest, and usability. Best of all? They’re completely free to download and use in your projects.
Explore the full collection at TheArtScavenger.com/collage-sheets.
How to Use Collage Sheets in Your Art Journal
Once you’ve downloaded a few printables, you might be wondering how to start using them. Here are some creative ideas for adding collage images to your art journal pages:
Feature a Focal Image
Choose one striking image and build your page around it. Add paint, ink, or painted collage papers behind the image to make it pop.
Layer for Texture
Cut several images or paper scraps and arrange them in overlapping layers. Use PVA glue or matte medium to secure them.
Create a Visual Story
Pick a few images that suggest a theme, such as transformation, nostalgia, or renewal, and let the visuals guide your journaling.
Cut and Paste Poetry
Use printed text or your own writing alongside images. You can snip out words from old book pages or write directly onto the collage.
Add a Quote or Affirmation
Pair a floral image with an inspiring quote. Handwrite it, print it, or use alphabet stamps to make it part of the design.
Highlight Images
Collage images pair beautifully with other materials. Frame them with paint pen, washi tape, or painted borders for extra flair.
Printable-Specific Tips for Art Journaling
Working with printables is fun, but there are a few tips to get the best results:
Cutting
Use small detail scissors or a craft knife if you want to cut elements out with precision.
If you prefer a handmade look, feel free to fussy cut images.
Tear around images to create a rustic look.
All three methods result in beautiful layouts.
Store Your Printables
Keep printed sheets organized in folders, binders, or envelopes by theme.
Store scraps in a small box or tray for quick access while journaling.
Mix with Other Elements
Don’t be afraid to combine collage images with painted papers, fabric scraps, scrapbook paper, or stitching.
Layering adds depth and visual interest.
2-Inch Journal Cards
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Draw to Be an Artist
Your art journal is a personal expression of your creativity, and there’s no rulebook that says you need to draw. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned creator looking to try something new, using printable collage images opens the door to fresh inspiration and stress-free creativity.
With tools like free floral ephemera, vintage illustrations, and curated collage sheets, you can fill your pages with beauty and meaning without ever sketching a line.
So go ahead: print, cut, paste, and play. Art journaling is for everyone, and your creativity deserves a place to bloom.
Ready to get started? Download your free floral collage sheets above, explore more printables at TheArtScavenger.com, and let your imagination take the lead.
Happy journaling!
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: art journals, 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.
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.
