Digital Scrapbooking Tips

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What is an important thing to know before you start digital scrapbooking?

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Digital Scrapbook Layouts

Digital scrapbooking beginners should know a few basics in order to effectively create beautiful digital scrapbooking layouts on their computer. The first and one of the most important things to know is how to work the digital scrapbooking software. Make sure you read the instructions or run the tutorial so that you can get the most out of what the software has to offer.

Photos are another important part of your scrapbook layout. You want to make sure your photos are proportionate to your scrapbook page. In most cases, you will have to resize the photo in order to fit it into your page layout. It is a good idea to resize the photo ahead of time before you try to load it on to your page. If you download your digital photos into a program like Photoshop, you can easily resize the photo by holding down the shift key while you use the arrow to determine your size; this will keep your photo proportionate so you are not distorting your images. Once you have the right size,you can move the photo to your scrapbook page layout.

One of the most appealing parts of digital scrapbooking is the layers. You can layer the pictures and the photos in order to create colorful masterpieces. Learning how to layer with your digital scrapbook software is probably the most difficult part. Always save your layers and name them appropriately. For example, if you are saving a picture of a baby rattle then name it “rattle” so you know exactly what you saved. If you save your layers with numbers, it can get confusing.

Another fun tool with digital scrapbooking is shadowing. You can accent your pictures and images on your pages by shadowing. Too much shadowing can make your pages look dark or fuzzy. In order to fix this, you can adjust your drop shadowing until you get the effect you want.

Digital scrapbook templates or digital scrapbook kits are a fast and easy way to make your layouts without much effort. The pages are already done with frames, custom shapes and borders; all you have to do is add your photos and print. These types of templates can easily be downloaded from a program or you can also find many different kinds of templates online with a free download.

Digital scrapbooking is a timesaving way to scrapbook. Some beginners may be weary because of the vast amount of digital scrapbook software and information, but once you learn your way around the programs, you will be “hooked” and on your way to creating gorgeous layouts and lasting memories.

   
What are the two basic types of digital programs?

Digital Scrapbooking Software

There are two basic types of digital scrapbook programs for digital scrapbooking. One is general graphics software like Adobe Photo Shop or Corel Paint Shop Pro, which help you create digital layouts from scratch. The other is specialized digital scrapbook software like Hewlett Packard Creative Scrapbook Assistant. These programs offer lots of extras, like specialty elements to include on your pages.

Some of the digital software supplies and features include:

  • Templates. Digital scrapbook templates are typically ready-made layouts where you just have to add pictures.
  • Fonts. There are hundreds of different styles of lettering to use on your digital scrapbook layouts. You are sure to find something to compliment any theme you choose.
  • Quotes and Sayings. You can include some clever quotes or poems to add some individual charm to your pages. Why not quote your favorite scholar or hero?
  • Backgrounds. Pick an appropriate background to enhance the theme of your layout. Backgrounds can be detailed with shapes and colors or they can be subtle.
  • Embellishments. Embellishments are “little extras” that add so much, like ribbons or faux metal accents. Digital embellishments don't have the bulky aspects of traditional scrapbook embellishments, but they have the same purpose.

Most of these tools and features are available from various resources. There are several places where you can download templates, fonts, quotes and sayings, backgrounds and even embellishments free of charge. Search the Internet for the best sites and have a ball designing your digital scrapbook layouts.

Using digital scrapbooking tools on your layouts are sure to help you create unique, attractive pages that you can treasure for a lifetime.

   
What is the first step to creating your own digital scrapbook?

How to Create a Digital Scrapbook Pages from Scratch

Creating your own digital scrapbooking page from scratch doesn't have to be difficult. Computer scrapbooking is cost-effective and mess-free. Just follow this simple step-by-step process and you will be on your way to designing your own digital scrapbook layouts in no time.

First, open the digital scrapbook program you will be using and set your page size. Traditionally 12 x 12, 9 x 9 and 6 x 6 sizes are used for scrapbook pages. If you don't know how to run the basics of your program, be sure to use the tutorial or have the instruction manual handy while you create your digital page layout.

Second, you should select your background design and color fill for the page from your digital scrapbooking graphics. You can do this by opening the background papers and adding the desired background to your page.

The third step is to locate your photos, copy and paste them to your layout, then resize them and rotate them into the right position.

Now, use the text options to select a font and add a title to your page. Then using the text tool, insert some journaling on your layout.

You are almost finished. Next, add some embellishments to the page. You can do this by using the embellishment files in your specialty digital scrapbook software or downloading digital scrapbooking graphics from another source and dragging and dropping the embellishments on to your page.

Once your have completed your page and everything looks fabulous, save your work and get ready to print.

It's that easy. Use your photo-friendly printer to print out the beautiful digitally-enhanced page you just created and add it to your book of memories.

   
What is the key aspect of digital scrapbooking?

Taking Photos for Digital Scrapbooking

Digital scrapbooking is all about photos. In order to create a beautiful layout digitally, the photos must be fabulous. Here are some tips on how to take better photographs for your scrapbooks:

Lighting is the most important part of taking a good digital photograph. Learn what types of light work best. A bright light tends to enhance imperfections, while a soft, subdued light (like the kind you find on a cloudy day) will make things look more pleasing to the eye.

Figure out your flash range. If used correctly, the flash can be valuable in your photo-taking quest. If you take pictures beyond the flash range, the digital photo will appear too dark. Many cameras have a flash range of less than 15 feet. If you can't find your camera's flash range a good rule of thumb is not to take pictures more than 10 feet away.

Make sure your subject is a little off center. By placing the focal point of the picture off to the right or left, you can capture the background and create a more unique setting.

Always be aware of your surroundings. When snapping photo, look at the background. Often times we don't pay attention to the background and focus on our subject, this is where surprises tend to “pop up” when we get our photos developed.

Capture “the moment.” Even if the circumstances are unfavorable, like bad lighting and a cluttered background, nothing can compare to “capturing” a precious moment as it unfolds.

   
Where can you print your digital scrapbook pages?

Printing Your Digital Scrapbook Layouts

Digital scrapbooking layouts can either be printed at home on a photo printer or you can have them printed at the photo lab. If you print them at home, you need to make sure you have a quality photo printer and the capacity to print the size you want. Not all printers can print the 12 x 12 page size. Since photo printers are fairly inexpensive, purchasing a printer for home use might be a wise investment. Even with the cost of ink, you can typically print a digital scrapbooking layout for under $1.

Be sure to tell your printer the paper size and what type of paper before you start to print. When the printer is not in use, it is a good idea to keep it off; this will help your ink last a little longer. Remember to frequently clean printer heads and run a nozzle check periodically before you print to make sure your ink colors are flowing properly.

If you decide to take your digital scrapbooking layouts to the lab, you should first make sure your layouts are sized properly. If you layout is not a size that the photo lab offers you will have resize it. Always save your pages in the .jpg format. Sometimes the lab will crop the page a bit so you should make sure you keep your text at least ¼ “away from the edge. A 12 x 12 layout will be printed at a 12 x 18 size, so you can add smaller layouts, like 6 x 6, to fill in the extra space.

Whether you choose to do your digital printing at home or in a photo lab, the digital scrapbooking pages will be ready for display in a short time and you can share your memories with everyone.

   
What is one reason scrappers like digital scrapbooking?

Digital Scrapbooking Temptations

In the day and age of “everything digital” the scrapbook industry has joined in on the digital phenomenon. Digital scrapbooking has become extremely popular among scrappers for many reasons. With digital scrapbooking, you can achieve the design you want before you actually print it on paper. Digital technology allows you to correct photos, erase imperfections and add pictures and elements to the pages with the click of the mouse. If you are not satisfied with the finished product on your screen, you can erase everything and start over without the cost of the paper.

Another time-saving advantage to a digital scrapbook is clean up. You don't have a bunch of supplies to put away when you are done. You can start a page in your spare time and neatly save it on your hard drive to come back to later. Digital scrapbooking is also more user-friendly when it comes to sharing pages with friends and family. With digital layouts, you are able to print copies of the same page for someone else or easily shrink it down to a smaller size.

Digital scrapbooking layouts and other elements can be downloaded for free online. There are many free digital scrapbooking resources. There are also many digital scrapbooking programs on the market to choose from. You can mix and match the software to meet your individual needs.

   
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