Rub-on transfers – aka rub-on or transfer stickers – are one of our favourite ways to add detail and texture to journal and scrapbook pages, letters or gift-wrap.
Why?
If you’ve ever wondered how to get the delicate layered look and decorate your journals without the bulk, transfer stickers are for you. They’re especially great if drawing or painting isn’t quite your thing, but you still want your pages to have that hand-crafted, artistic feel.
In this post, we’ll walk you through what they are, how they work, and why we always keep a few sheets on hand – plus, we’ll introduce you to our go-to transfer sticker brands: Midori and MU Lifestyle.
What Are Rub-On Stickers?
In short, rub-on stickers are decorative images printed on a transparent film.
They’re applied by placing the image where you want it and rubbing over the back with a wooden stick or similar tool to transfer the design onto the page.
The result is a delicate, borderless illustration that looks printed or even painted directly onto paper – no glue, no water, no mess.
Most importantly: no bulk.
Under your fingers, they feel just like a thin coat of paint on paper.
Transfer stickers have come a long way since their origins in the 1960s, when the British company Letraset first popularised dry-transfer artwork and lettering that could be applied without glue or water, simply by rubbing them onto a surface. For many who grew up using these as children, the revival of rub-on graphics is a bit nostalgic!
This built on an even older art form, called decalcomania, from the 18th century – but Letraset’s innovation brought it into everyday use. Today’s premium rub-on stickers are produced via refined offset or screen-printing methods on durable transparent films, layered with pressure-sensitive adhesives for mess-free application.
Modern manufacturing ensures sharp detail, vibrant ink, and thin coatings so designs transfer seamlessly, making them perfect for the delicate, layered aesthetics of journaling and scrapbooking.
Asian stationery brands like Midori and MU Lifestyle have kept this nearly 60-year-old technique alive and upgraded it beautifully. They now offer a huge selection of sticker sheets designed with the journaling and scrapbooking community in mind – whatever the mood or vibe of your creative expression, you’re sure to find designs that speak to you.
Why We Love Rub-Ons for Journaling
Rub-on transfers are perfect for journals because:
- They don’t add bulk – ideal for keeping the pages flat, even in slim notebooks
- The finish is seamless – without white edges or sticker shine, they look like art!
- They layer beautifully – great over writing, stamps, or washi
- They’re easy to use – just cut, position, rub, and peel
Overall, if you don’t love the look and feel of traditional journal stickers, transfer stickers let you create that vintage, hand-decorated journal feel with ease.
Even if you're working on a simple weekly planner spread, marking a memories in your travel journal, or habit tracking, you can still get that same cohesive, artistic vibe.
One of their underrated perks?
Among rub-on transfers, there are countless semi-transparent designs you can layer over text, use to revive older journal pages, or add to already-filled spreads without overwhelming the layout.
Rub-On Transfers for Scrapbooking
In scrapbooking, rub-ons can act like mini embellishments, but without the thickness of stickers or die-cuts. Use them to:
- Add delicate script or art around photos
- Create layered backgrounds behind larger elements
- Incorporate soft botanical or vintage touches
- Highlight themes (seasons, places, moods)
Because they’re usually so detailed and lightweight, transfer stickers work especially well for minimal or vintage-inspired layouts. But with them, you get everything from bold, bright designs and foil accents to delicate, watercolour-like images that feel like tiny paintings. And let’s not forget about all the cute animal motifs!
Our Favourite Transfer Sticker Brands: Midori & MU Lifestyle
We stock rub-on transfer stickers from two of the most beloved names in Asian stationery:
Midori Transfer Stickers
Midori’s transfer stickers are known best for their playful and colourful designs. You’ll find vibrant florals, travel icons, tea parties, quirky animals, and so much more. They offer a lot of style and texture variation as well – from gold foil accents to bold coloured illustrations to watercolour-like, subtle art. They’re small, irresistibly cute, and easily blend into all types of journal spreads.
MU Lifestyle Print-On Stickers
MU Lifestyle offers one of the largest selections of transfer stickers for journaling and scrapbooking. While their textures are generally consistent, their designs are incredibly diverse – from delicate script fonts and textured collage elements to vintage objects, florals, botanicals, stylish characters, cosy everyday scenes, and more. We love how well they layer and how their sheets often include complementary elements for cohesive spreads.
Both of these brands are a great place to start and we feel like you can seamlessly mix and match a lot of their designs!
Tips for Using Rub-On Stickers
Now, unlike traditional stickers, rub-ons can seem a little tricky at first – but they’re surprisingly easy once you get the hang of it.
The only real drawback is that, no matter how well the sticker is made, tiny parts of the design might occasionally not transfer perfectly. Most crafters don’t mind this at all – it often adds to the charm, giving the design a more effortless, organic feel. And with delicate designs, it’s usually barely noticeable.
Here’s a few quick tips to get the best results:
- Cut out the design before peeling the backing
- Hold it in place firmly while you rub
- Rub evenly across the full image with firm pressure
- Peel slowly to make sure everything has transferred
- Layer carefully – they go on thin, so you can build texture without mess
And yes — they work beautifully on most papers, including beloved MD Notebooks and Traveler’s Company refills!
Why Transfer Stickers Belong in Your Journaling Kit
Once you try rub-on stickers, it’s hard to go back. They offer a simple way to elevate your journaling or scrapbooking into a work of art. And we’re not afraid to admit that, with so many designs to choose from, they’re incredibly fun to collect.
As we’ve already said, they’re also the best possible solution if drawing or painting isn’t really your thing, but you still want those beautiful, hand-drawn or hand-painted touches on your pages.
So, browse our full selection of rub-on transfer stickers from Midori and MU Lifestyle and see what sparks joy.
We bet at least one of them will! :)
Questions? We’d love to hear from you, so don’t be shy! Contact us on Facebook, Instagram or via email at info@bookbindersdesign.com.au
