Nov
2
Discover Digital Scrapbooking: The 5 Most Important Things You Need to Know
November 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Are you a paper scrapbooker who has decided to make the move from traditional scrapbooking to digital? Or are you completely new to the concept of digital scrapbooking? Either way, there are a few things you should know before you get started.
First of all, you need to look for a good digital scrapbooking software program to help you create your layouts. Since not all digital scrapbooking software programs are the same, you’ll want to keep a few important points in mind when selecting your program.
1. A great digital scrapbooking software program should include a variety of creative features, but it should also be very easy to use.
2. It should be affordable, but beware of products that are too inexpensive as well. As with most things in life, “free” isn’t always the best value. A good rule of thumb is that the best products will cost under $60, but you should be able to find a sale and get 20% off if you look around.
3. It should include high-quality scrapbooking content. Lots of “clipart” isn’t the same thing. Quality is much more important than quantity when it comes to digital scrapbooking.
4. Its included page templates should be editable and customizable. You don’t want to get locked into a page you can’t change! Also make sure your can expand your software with more digital scrapbooking content – that way you’ll always have fresh inspiration.
5. Choose a product that you can purchase online and then download right away. If it’s 2AM and you want to start digital scrapbooking, you don’t want to wait weeks for it to come in the mail! Also, look for products that have a free, fully featured trial download on their website. You want to be able to try everything out before you buy.
Once you’ve done your research and found the perfect program, it’s time to start creating those layouts! The best digital scrapbooking programs are intuitive and easy to learn. You should be able to start making pages just by starting it up and playing around. But, to get the most out of your digital scrapbooking software, follow these important tips:
1. If you are an “instruction junkie”, begin by reading the program’s User’s Guide. A good program will always include this important documentation – ideally in PDF digital format so it’s always available from the Help menu.
2. Check out the program’s website. You should find free and easy to follow tutorials. A combination of video tutorials and lessons will help you learn to use the software very quickly.
3. Check to see if your chosen program has an online digital scrapbooking community forum. This is where fellow users and software staff provide answers to software-related questions, tips and tricks. Digital scrapbookers from all over the world will be there and you can advice 24/7.
Once you’re familiar with the basics, you can start experimenting by laying out some pages. In the beginning, stick with a pre-made template, where you can just add your photos and try things out. Ideally you chose a scrapbooking program that offers both fully-editable, pre-made templates plus the option to start with a blank page – so you can create layouts from scratch. Simply click on an object to edit it – then add, delete, resize, rotate and move elements around with your mouse. Play around and get a feel for the options available. One of the best advantages of digital scrapbooking is that you can’t make a mistake. If you do something wrong, just click on the “undo” button. Try that with scissors and paper!
After you get the hang of it, you can start to use the more advance features included in your software. This is where you can really get creative. Perhaps you have some great ideas from your paper scrapbooking experiences? With your digital scrapbooking software, you’ll be able to create scrapbook pages that are as creative as you are!
Not yet ready to start making pages from scratch? How about drawing inspiration from other digital scrapbookers? Check out your software’s online scrapbooking gallery. Not only can you post your layouts when you’re done, but you can view other people’s work! Seeing what other scrapbookers are doing is a great way to get inspired and stoke your creativity. In fact, this “scraplifting” (basing your layout on someone else’s design), is a time-honored tradition among scrapbookers. You just want to make sure you give credit where credit is due!
Another way to improve your skills is to participate in online crops and challenges. Look for them in the online forums. These challenges often focus on a particular technique or inspiration and are a great way to learn more about digital scrapbooking in a fun way. Keep your eye out for challenges that offer freebies and downloads – you’ll develop your skills, plus get free stuff for your stash!
Getting into digital scrapbooking is a lot easier than most people think it is. If you pick good quality scrapbooking software, it certainly is – plus it’s tons of fun! Remember to look for a downloadable trial version, a comprehensive User’s Guide, online tutorials, a large online community forum, and templates that can be easily customized. Don’t worry – you’ll be a pro in no time!
Want to find out more about digital scrapbooking? Visit Gracie Madsen’s site on how to choose the best digital scrapbooking software for your needs.
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.