The best way to learn collage is to make collage. But a few words and ideas help — so here they are, plainly.
Start here.
Collage is simply the art of combining images, papers, and materials into something new. You cut, you tear, you arrange, you stick. That's it. There are no rules and no special talent required — only a willingness to play.
You don't need much to begin: a few images, a glue stick, a pair of scissors, and a surface to work on. An old book, a notebook, or a single sheet of paper all make a fine first page.
Don't be afraid to start. Experiment. Make weird things. Let go of imposter syndrome. You're an artist — get used to it.
Explore the Start Here Book →
Shop the Start Here Kit →
What is collage fodder?
Collage fodder is anything you use to make a collage — the raw material of your art. It's the images, papers, and textures you gather, save, and eventually cut up.
Fodder can be almost anything:
- Vintage images and illustrations
- Old book pages, maps, and sheet music
- Ephemera — tickets, stamps, labels, postcards
- Patterned and painted papers
- Magazine clippings and printed photos
Collectors of collage fodder rarely run out of ideas — gathering it is half the joy.
What is an ATC/aceo?
ATC stands for Artist Trading Card — a tiny piece of original art measuring exactly 2.5″ × 3.5″, the size of a playing card. They were created to be made, swapped, and shared, never sold.
Their small size makes them perfect for beginners. There's very little space to fill, so there's very little pressure. You can finish one in a sitting and start another the same day.
Make a stack. Trade them with friends. It's one of the loveliest ways to practice.
Perfect size images for your ATC/aceo practice are
Size Matters eBook →
Everything & Nothing →
Journal Girly →
I Need This In My Life →
Collectors Edition →
What is a junk journal?
A junk journal is a handmade book built from recycled papers, ephemera, and bits and pieces you've saved. There's no right way to make one and nothing in it has to be precious.
People use them for collage, scrapbooking, journaling, collecting, and creative play — often all at once. The "junk" is the point: old envelopes, packaging, scraps, and offcuts become pages worth keeping.
If a blank notebook feels intimidating, a junk journal is the gentle answer. It's already imperfect, so you can't get it wrong.
How to print digital collage sheets.
Digital collage sheets are images you download and print at home, as many times as you like. A few tips for good results:
- Print at actual size (100%) — turn off "fit to page" so proportions stay true.
- Use a good matte paper or lightweight cardstock for sturdier pieces.
- Set your printer to its higher-quality setting for crisp detail.
- Let ink dry a moment before cutting or gluing.
Because they're digital, you never run out. Print a favourite image again and again.
Collage terms, A–Z.
A little dictionary for the words you'll meet along the way.
- ATC
- Artist Trading Card — a tiny original artwork, exactly 2.5″ × 3.5″, made to be swapped and shared, never sold.
- Collage
- The art of combining images, papers, and materials into something new — cut, tear, arrange, stick.
- Collage fodder
- The raw material of your art — the images, papers, and textures you gather, save, and eventually cut up.
- Decoupage
- Decorating a surface by gluing down paper cutouts and sealing them under a smooth finish.
- Ephemera
- Everyday printed paper never meant to last — tickets, stamps, labels, receipts, postcards — beloved by collage makers.
- Fussy cutting
- Carefully cutting around the exact outline of an image so it lifts cleanly from its background.
- Gesso
- A primer that preps paper, board, or canvas so paint and glue take evenly.
- Junk journal
- A handmade book built from recycled papers and ephemera — imperfect on purpose, impossible to get wrong.
- Matte medium
- A versatile matte glue and sealer that bonds and protects collage layers.
- Mixed media
- Art that combines several materials or techniques — collage, paint, ink, stitching, and more.
- Substrate
- The surface you build a collage on — a page, board, canvas, or an old book.
- Vellum
- A translucent paper lovely for delicate, layered, see-through effects.
- Washi tape
- Decorative, low-tack paper tape — perfect for edges, accents, and holding pieces down gently.
That's the whole secret. Read a little, then put it down and make something gloriously imperfect.
