If you've got a stash of acrylic paints slowly drying up in a drawer — maybe bought years ago with good intentions — this tutorial is for you. I wanted to find a way to actually use those paints, and the answer turned out to be gelli printing directly onto circle sticker labels. What came out of that experiment is a simple method for making handmade paper buttons and paperclip embellishments for junk journals, using almost nothing you don't already have.
What we cover
This tutorial covers gelli printing onto sticker paper (including circle label stickers), turning those printed circles into decorative paper buttons with thread, and mounting buttons onto paperclips to make functional journal embellishments. I also show how I layer book pages and watercolour paper as a base, how I ink edges, and how I finish everything with Mod Podge Sparkle before threading.
What you'll learn
How to gelli print directly onto sticker paper — including onto pre-cut circle label stickers, so the cutting is already done for you before you start.
Why the individual stickers look better than the full sheet — the full printed sheet can look muddy and uneven, but once you punch or peel out individual circles, the colours and marks read completely differently. Don't judge the sheet; judge the button.
How to build a layered paper base for the buttons, including:
- Tearing and collaging book pages onto watercolour paper with PVA glue
- Making sure every edge is fully glued down so nothing lifts when you punch
How to cut button circles, including:
- Using a circle punch for speed and consistency
- Cutting by hand when you don't have a punch — imperfect circles actually add character
How to ink the edges of your punched circles — a quick pass with an ink pad to unify the look and give each button a finished edge before you add the sticker.
How to add mark-making detail to your printed sticker sheet, including:
- Dotting with repurposed lip pencil caps and packaging foam for small circles
- Using a stencil over the gelli print for pattern layering
- Adding white paint dots as a final accent before sealing
How to seal the sticker surface with Mod Podge Sparkle — brush it on before you pierce the holes; it protects the print, adds a subtle shimmer, and dries fast enough that it barely interrupts the process.
How to thread a paper button, including:
- Two-hole threading (straight stitch across, knot at the back)
- Four-hole threading in a cross or crisscross pattern
- Using an awl or needle to pierce holes before threading
How to make a paperclip bookmark embellishment — mounting a finished button onto a standard paperclip using a glue stick and a plain backing circle, so the clip still functions but carries the decorated button as a visible accent.
Tips & gotchas
When you thread your buttons, thin out the strand first. The thread I use is quite thick, and if I run the full strand through, the knot on the back creates too much bulk — the button sits up off the page awkwardly. Pull away one ply or use a single strand, and the back sits flat.
When you mount a button on a paperclip, think about which end of the clip you're working with. The clipping end — the part that grips the page — needs to stay clear. The button goes on the upper curve, so the clip still does its job. It sounds obvious, but it's easy to centre the button and accidentally cover the wrong section.
Seal with Mod Podge Sparkle before you pierce the button holes. I did it the other way around on my first batch — threading first, then sealing — and it's a much cleaner result when the surface is sealed and dry before the needle goes in. The Mod Podge dries quickly so it's not a long wait.
On the paperclip embellishment: choose a button with a flat back for gluing. Some of my buttons have a thicker thread knot at the back, which makes the bond less stable. Pick one where the back sits as flush as possible, use just a small dot of glue, and hold it down while the glue sets — it grabs fast.
If you're working with a homemade gelli plate like mine, skip the wet wipes for cleanup. I'm never sure how they'll affect the gelatin surface, and I'd rather not risk it. A dry rag or soft cloth works fine. And if your homemade plate is getting tired, it can be melted down and remade — that's one of the things I like about having made my own.
One last thing on scale: the circle punch size you use determines how your buttons read in a journal. Small circles sit quietly as accent details; the larger punched circles make more of a statement on a page. I ended up mixing sizes across the same project, and the variety works better than I expected.
Once you've got a sheet or two of printed stickers and a stack of punched circles, the assembly goes quickly enough that you can make a whole collection in an afternoon. The paperclip version especially — it's the kind of embellishment that looks like it came from a shop, and it took maybe three minutes to put together.
