Free Vintage Halloween Ephemera: Printable Journal Tags and Cards
Free Vintage Halloween Ephemera Printables
In This Post:
Two free printable vintage Halloween collage sheets
Features authentic postcard art with witches, pumpkins, owls, and festive poetry
One sheet of 2” x 3” journal tags and one sheet of 2.5” x 4.25” journal cards
Ideal for junk journaling, scrapbooking, art journaling, and mixed media
Download, print, cut, and create, all for free!
Halloween is one of the best times to add a little vintage flair to your junk journals, art journals, or scrapbooking projects. Today I’m sharing a spooky seasonal treat of two free printable collage sheets featuring authentic vintage Halloween postcard art. These colorful illustrations capture the playful spirit of early 1900s Halloween with owls, witches, pumpkins, masks, and charming old-fashioned verses.
These sheets are designed specifically as journal tags and journal cards, making them easy to cut out and slip right into your projects. Whether you’re crafting a Halloween-themed junk journal, decorating an altered book, or adding seasonal ephemera to your mixed media spreads, these printables are ready to bring a touch of vintage magic to your pages.
What’s Included in This Freebie
Sheet 1: 2.5” x 4.25” Journal Cards – Larger pieces designed to stand out as focal points in your spreads or to use as tuck-ins and journaling spots.
Sheet 2: 2” x 3” Journal Tags – A set of small, versatile tags featuring pumpkins, owls, witches, and spooky poetry. Perfect for layering, collage clusters, or tucking into pockets.
Each image was originally printed on early 20th-century Halloween postcards and has been carefully curated, and reformatted into ready-to-use collage sheets.
Why Vintage Halloween Ephemera Is So Popular
There’s something irresistible about vintage Halloween art. Early 20th-century postcards were playful, mysterious, and often whimsical rather than scary. They featured cheerful jack-o’-lanterns, a happy moon, children in costumes, and rhyming verses that gave Halloween a nostalgic, old-world charm.
For modern crafters, this type of vintage Halloween ephemera is perfect because:
It adds an authentic touch of history to creative projects.
The artwork feels both festive and timeless, making it versatile for many styles of journals.
Nostalgic imagery resonates with the handmade, slow-craft movement that junk journaling celebrates.
That’s why Halloween is one of the most requested seasonal themes I get from junk journalers, scrapbookers, and mixed media artists. These free printables give you that historic look without having to track down rare (and expensive) postcards yourself.
2.5” x 4.25” Journal Cards
How to Use These Halloween Ephemera Sheets
Need some ideas for putting your printables to good use? Here are a few:
Junk Journals: Tuck the journal cards into pockets or use the tags as page accents. Add handwritten notes on the back to create interactive journaling spots.
Scrapbooking: Layer the images with patterned papers, lace, or washi tape to create vintage-style Halloween layouts.
Mixed Media: Combine the prints with acrylic paint, stencils, and texture paste for dimensional seasonal artwork.
Halloween Crafts: Turn the tags into bookmarks, gift tags, or handmade greeting cards for friends and family.
Altered Books: Use the larger cards as focal points to anchor your Halloween spreads, or pair them with vintage text clippings for a spooky collage effect.
Tips for Printing and Using These Sheets
Print on matte paper or cardstock for crisp, sturdy results.
If you want an aged look, print on cream or parchment-style paper instead of bright white.
For a distressed finish, ink the edges of your tags and cards with brown or black stamping ink.
Don’t forget: resizing is easy! Print at 80% or 50% scale to create mini tags and cards that fit smaller projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these authentic vintage images?
Yes! These designs were originally printed on Halloween postcards in the early 1900s. They are now in the public domain and have been restored and reformatted into printable collage sheets.
What sizes are included?
You’ll get two sheets: one with 2” x 3” journal tags and another with 2.5” x 4.25” journal cards.
How do I get the best print quality?
Use a high-quality print setting on your home printer. Cardstock or matte photo paper works beautifully for sturdy, vibrant results.
Can I sell crafts made with these?
Yes! You’re welcome to use these printables in handmade crafts you sell. Please just don’t resell or redistribute the digital files themselves.
If you love these, you may also enjoy:
2” x 3” Journal Tags
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.
