Digital Scrapbooking for Fun

If you love working on your computer and want to get into scrapbooking, you may find Digital Scrapbooking great fun. You may even find it addictive!

Definition of Digital Scrapbooking

Digital Scrapbooking is the act of creating images, photos, journaling, and extra “touches” to preserve memories in digital rather than physical form. Digital Scrapbooking, also called computer scrapbooking or electronic scrapbooking, is done with the aid of a computer.

Truly Digital Scrapbooking creates products that exist completely in digital image form. Memories for future generations are saved electronically rather than in albums you can touch.

Advantages of Digital Scrapbooking

Digital Scrapbooking has many advantages over traditional scrapbooking.

* Less expensive
* No physical materials needed, such as scissors, glue, etc.
* Less space required for assembly
* Greater diversity of materials available
* Materials can be easily manipulated numerous times (tear and un-tear)
* Ability to share pages on the Internet
* Huge amounts will store easily on a single CD
* Can be printed for traditional scrapbooking if desired
* Can be professionally printed as a standard book
* Memories on CDs can easily be stored in a safe deposit box, safer from natural disasters than physical scrapbooks are

Getting Started in Digital Scrapbooking

Many traditional scrapbookers enter Digital Scrapbooking just by printing out digital elements to use in their physical album layouts. Perhaps they do their journaling (notes) digitally, print it out, and paste it into a traditional scrapbook. Or they may upload photos from a digital camera to computer, then print them for use in scrapbooking.

Others plunge directly into Digital Scrapbooking, using digital photos, elements found online, and items from Digital Scrapbooking kits. They decide what size each page will be, arranging and rearranging digital elements until they like the appearance. The page is then saved, and a new one begun.

Whether you enter Digital Scrapbooking gradually, or simply plunge into it, you will need certain things.

1. Digital Scrapbooking Software

You can do Digital Scrapbooking with the simplest of computer programs, such as Microsoft Word. You can also use graphics or photo-editing software such as Image Pro or Adobe PhotoShop. Hallmark and Ulead, among others, offer specific Digital Scrapbooking programs you may want to consider. Some scrapbooking software is available free on the Internet.

You will have to learn the program before you can use it successfully for Digital Scrapbooking, so consider your computer literacy when making a selection. There may be a long learning curve.

Consider cost when choosing software. Some programs are intended for professional graphic designers, do much more than you need, and are priced accordingly.

Many programs offer online trial versions you can download to see if the product is what you need.

2. Digital Camera or Scanner

Digital Scrapbooking includes getting your photos into digital form. If you are taking photos for the project, you will want to use a digital camera. If you are using a collection of printed photos, you will want to have them scanned, or scan them yourself on a scanner.

3. Digital Scrapbooking Kits

Digital Scrapbooking can be enhanced with kits, or collections of backgrounds and coordinating elements. Such kits are available on the Internet - for purchase or for free download.

Digital Scrapbooking is great fun, and can be a great way to safely store your memories for posterity.