What is Digital Scrapping?

Creating scrapbook pages with the aid of a computer is digital or computer scrapping. There are several different types of digital scrapping but they all have the same purpose-a means of preserving the events of our lives for our families to enjoy now and in the future. 

Scrapbook-Elements sells digital supplies that can be used for in their digital format for computer scrapping, printed out to be used in traditional paper scrapping, or used in a combination of the two methods in what we have termed as hybrid-scrapping.

Digital scrappers use digital elements to create a layout completely on the computer. Once the layout is completed, the usual choice is to print out the layouts to be placed in albums, just as traditional paper scrappers do. However, digital scrappers also have the option of using other means of sharing their layouts such as through online galleries, email or by putting them onto Video CDs to be able to view them on TV or computer.

Paper scrappers can use the digital elements sold at Scrapbook-Elements to enhance their layouts also. Because our elements are created at 300 ppi, the quality allows superior printing ability. Printers with borderless printing capabilities allow full page print outs of backgrounds. Wide-format printers are also available to allow printing of 12x12 pages. The printed pages and elements can then be used to create traditional scrapbook pages as you would use any other supplies.

Hybrid-scrappers™ are those who combine the 2 methods to create unique layouts. These layouts can contain the more graphical types of things that can be done with digital elements and a graphics program but also utilize the 3-dimensional elements to still have the feel of a traditionally scrapped page.
 

Advantages of Digital Scrapping

Digital elements afford the scrapper so many choices. Elements can be resized, reprinted and even recolored as needed. You will never have a problem finding more sheets of that great paper you used to create your sister’s wedding album! With digital products, you can reuse the same images over and over or you can just print out what you need.

Have an inspiration of something you want to scrap in the middle of the night and don’t have the right elements? Jump online and shop at Scrapbook-Elements…the perfect complete set will be in front of you in a short time.

No mess, no fuss…unless you want to! Digital scrapping is all done on the computer so you can work without needing a whole room or having to put away your work so you can serve dinner on the kitchen table! Our products can be printed and used in traditional paper scrapping if you prefer. A great combination of scrapping styles includes doing the majority of the layout using graphics software, printing the layout and then adding 3-dimensional elements to finish off your page.

Want to share your layouts with friends and family? With traditional paper scrapping, this is both time consuming and very costly. Digital scrapping allows you to produce as many copies of the same layout as you need at no more than the cost of reprinting the page! Do you scrap at the 12x12’ size but want to give Grandma a brag book at the 6x6” size? No problem! Just resize your digital 12x12” layouts to the smaller size, print and voila!

Our products are all created at a high resolution so that they print beautifully with all of the realism of 3-dimensional elements. Our page sets offer you a complete collection of backgrounds and elements that are matched for you so you can instantly create beautifully coordinated pages with little effort.
 

So Just How Do I Get These Digital Elements?

Scrapbook-Elements delivers all purchases by download unless expressly noted. Once you have selected and purchased your page sets, elements or CDs, you will be presented with a download images/button for each item purchased. These files will then be downloaded to your computer. For those customers on high speed Internet connections, even the largest files download quickly. For our dialup customers, we have provided some suggestions and options to make the experience an easier one for you.

Once you have downloaded your purchases, you will need a program to unzip the files into a folder so that you can use them in your graphics program. Windows XP has a built in zip program. If you have other versions of Windows or a Mac, there are programs that are available to unzip files. Winzip is a perennial favorite but others can be found at places such as Download.com.
 

Now That I’ve Got Them, What Do I Do With Them?

You will need a graphics program that is capable of using images in both jpg and png format. Png files have a transparent background which allows them to be placed on another item in a layout without any white area behind the image.

The primary programs used by digital scrappers include Microsoft Digital Image Pro, Ulead Photo Impact, Jasc Paint Shop Pro, Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Photoshop. (listed in order of easy to difficult)

Other programs such as Broderbund Print Shop, Sierra Print Artist, and Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Designer Deluxe are programs suitable for digital scrapping. These programs are adequate but for the serious digital scrapper who uses digital photos also, these programs are just not as complete packages as the first ones listed above.
 

Ready to Go…Now Where Do I Start?

We have included a beginner’s tutorial for many of the above programs, using one of the page sets sold at Scrapbook-Elements. This should give you a starting point to follow to begin your journey into the wonderful world of digital scrapping!  Note: This section will continue to have additions as they are completed.
 

First Layout Completed…Now What?

Most digital scrappers print their layouts to share with others by placing them in traditional scrapbooks. The layouts can be printed on a home printer or sent to an online or local printer for finishing. Inkjet printers and photo quality paper are staples in most digital scrappers’ homes. There are many different choices, depending on quality and cost. Cardstock can even be used to print your layouts although this will not yield the high quality photos that photo quality paper can.

Information about Printing Your Digital Layouts
 

Wow! I did it! How cool is that!!

Now that you have created your layout using the great products you purchased from Scrapbook-Elements, how about sharing it with us?? Please feel free to register in our gallery and upload your layouts for us to ooh and ahh over! Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email. Once this is acknowledged, back in the gallery click “login” and then you will see the option to “upload photo”. When you fill out the information requested while posting your layout, please be sure to include the products from SBE that were used in your layout to help others who might be looking for just the set you used!