Scrapbooks are easy and fun to make, but can be tricky if you've never made one. Scrapbooking means working neatly, but still being as creative as you like. If you're hesitant to get started, here's a guide.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Plan the Layout
Step 1. Choose a theme
Simply put, a theme is the basic purpose or idea that will hold your scrapbook together. If you've decided to make a scrapbook, you've probably already thought about a theme. If not, you can start voting.
- The theme will be a guide in choosing photos, including albums and decorations.
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Common themes relate to:
- Family vacation
- High school or academic achievement
- Family reunion
- Family vacation
- Time with friends
- Military career
Step 2. Select a photo
After selecting a theme, select photos related to the theme. Starting from the most recent photo and then shifting to the past photo.
- Choose photos with clear images and avoid blurry ones.
- Remember, you don't need to use the entire image. Generally the image will be cropped to a smaller size. So if there's a photo with a background image that you don't like, it can still be used if the background is cut out.
- Select as many photos as possible at this stage. If you have too many photos, you can select again later.
Step 3. Group photos
Sort your selected photos and group them by category. Each category will be divided into several pages and each page contains at least four to six appropriate photos.
- If you're creating a smaller scrapbook, you'll only need two or three photos per page.
- You can create multiple pages for each category if you wish. For example, for family vacations, the category can be divided into several related matters: trips to locations, beaches, hotels, museums, return trips. If you have lots of photos at the beach, prepare several pages for them. The idea is to group photos into one album.
Step 4. Outline the desired layout
You don't have to think about the layout of each page ahead of time but at least decide on the number of pages, the number of photos per page, the colors and types of embellishments that will be used, and the number of notes you want to add.
- Pour layout ideas into notebooks. Make notes of all the ideas that come to your mind, then choose the one you like the most after looking through all the notes in the book.
- This is also a good time to determine whether you will create separate page titles to differentiate categories or whether you will place titles on all photo pages.
- If you want to be more careful, you can arrange the photos on a test sheet to get an idea of how each page will look.
Method 2 of 5: Collect Materials
Step 1. Find the album book
Scrapbooking albums can be purchased at craft and stationery stores. Generally these albums are square with a page size of 12 inches by 12 inches (30.5cm by 30.5cm).
- You can also use a mini album with a page size of 6 inches by 8 inches (15.25cm by 20.3cm).
- If you don't have a scrapbook album, you can also use a standard binder with 3 binding rings, but it's better to use an actual album book as the bindings and pages are more suitable for scrapbooking.
- Consider a theme when choosing an album book. For example, if your scrapbook is about vacations at the beach, a light blue or sand-colored album is a good idea. But if your scrapbook features photos with friends, choose a bright color.
- You can also get pre-titled album books for general things like weddings or the military.
Step 2. Choose paper that matches your photos
When you're looking for suitable paper for scrapbooking, bring along some photos to match. Plain colored paper should match the colors in the photo, and patterned paper should match the colors of your photo and album theme.
Generally you will need two sheets of paper for the background and one to two types of base paper and patterned paper for each page
Step 3. Select the ornament
Ornaments should match the theme of your album of memories.
- The ornaments that are commonly used are three-dimensional stickers, stamps, and metal decorations, but you can be as creative as you like. Choose an ornament that catches attention but is a bit flat. Otherwise, the album will be difficult to close.
- Stickers and stamps are the easiest ornaments to match with a theme because they come in many variants.
- Consider the color of the paper and photos when choosing an ornament. Choose an ornament that matches your color theme.
Step 4. Select the adhesive type
There are many choices of adhesives for making scrapbooks, each of which has its advantages and disadvantages.
- Spray adhesive is suitable for large areas so it doesn't look "wet." This type is also suitable for glossy paper. Allow the adhesive to dry until it feels sticky before sticking anything.
- Foamed adhesive tape and self-adhesive round stickers on both sides can be cut as needed. This type of adhesive adds dimension to the image that brings the album page to life.
- Pressure-sensitive dots are suitable for heavy decoration because the adhesive is very strong.
- Stick glue seems to be the most convenient to use. Make sure you use only a small amount and choose products that are labeled “acid-free” or “photo safe.”
- Liquid glue is great for sticking decorations and is easy to use, but can make photos and paper trimmings wrinkle if you apply too much glue.
- Double-sided adhesive tape has minimal adhesion but is suitable for photos, paper decorations, and other light and small decorations.
Step 5. Arrange your desk well
Once all the equipment is available, you need to organize it so that it is easy to use when needed.
- Place photos in one place and arrange them in the order in which they are placed.
- Set aside the ornament in the corner of the work area until you need it.
Method 3 of 5: Paste Photos
Step 1. Set page background and borders
Have a scrapbook sheet in front of you and lay out the background sheet on the paper. Generally you use two sheets of paper to create page dimensions, but sometimes one sheet is enough.
- Avoid using more than three sheets of paper for the background. Using too much paper gives the impression of being full and distracting.
- In setting the background, it should be arranged so that some are stacked and some are in a parallel position.
- After the background part is finished, place a border sheet on it, adjust it as you like.
- At this stage it is not time for you to apply adhesive.
Step 2. Cut out the photo
Determine the core of the photo and decide how large the background of the photo to take. As long as the core of the photo and its supports are still there, you don't have to worry too much about cutting a lot.
- Consider the best photo size and shape based on the layout of each page.
- It's wise to provide two photos just in case you make a mistake.
Step 3. Layer each photo
Select a paper type that is different from the paper used as the background. Cut the paper slightly larger than the cropped photo and place the photo on top of the paper.
- Don't start sticking.
- It's a good idea to leave a layer of paper at the bottom or side of the photo as a place to write something about the photo later.
Step 4. Leave space for additional ornaments
Arrange the base paper and photos on the background paper directly on your scrapbook page. Place them in such a way that there is room for other items such as decorations or journal columns.
Generally, the ornaments on the page touch each other or overlap with other decorations. Avoid placing ornaments that stand alone or apart from each other
Step 5. Start pasting
Use a small amount of the adhesive you have chosen to attach all of the material to the page.
- Start gluing from the very top to the bottom. Glue the photo onto the base paper, and once dry, glue the base onto the background paper. After drying, glue the background paper to the album sheet.
- Wait for the adhesive to dry before adding any writing or decoration.
Method 4 of 5: Journal
Step 1. Determine the writing material
Recall the memories of the photo you want to post and what you want to convey to the people who see the photo.
- Write down your writing ideas in different books before deciding which one to use.
- Write down the draft for each comment section or journal column before writing it down in the scrapbook.
Step 2. Provide information according to taste
If you provide captions for each photo, use a pen with solid ink or a permanent marker with a sharp tip to write a short description or caption about the photo.
Captions can be in the form of information about the date, location, and name of the person in the photo
Step 3. Make a longer “journal” note
This does not specifically relate to any of the photos but rather a general record of all the photos in that group.
You can write stories, words of wisdom, jokes, or snippets of famous lyrics and phrases in your journal
Step 4. Decide whether to use handwriting or typed
Handwriting is more commonly used in scrapbooking, but there are also those who prefer typed, printed, or even the result of moving text quotes.
- Handwriting may not be neat and you may make mistakes when writing, but handwriting gives a more personal and meaningful effect.
- Prints are clearer but appear cooler and lack the personal touch.
Method 5 of 5: Adding Ornaments
Step 1. Pay attention to the placement
Ornaments should be arranged in contact with or overlapping other elements such as photos and base paper without covering important information.
Avoid placing ornaments that are separate or spaced from other elements on one page. In short, the ornaments in the album page should not be "alone."
Step 2. Add stickers
You can use any type of sticker but acid-free adhesives are the best. Scrapbook stickers, also known as three-dimensional sticker ornaments, are great for use because they add dimension to flat album pages.
Stickers should align with the theme or grouping of photos. For example, stickers with shells are perfect for a beach holiday theme, soccer or football stickers are perfect for athletic photos, and heart or rose stickers are perfect for romance
Step 3. Use a stamp
Stamps can be as personal as stickers. Choose a rubber stamp that matches your theme and an ink color that matches the ornaments on the scrapbook page.
- Try the stamp on paper first before using it on a scrapbook page.
- When applying a stamp to an album page, make sure the ink is evenly distributed on the surface of the stamp, and press it firmly against a flat paper surface. Hold the stamp firmly so that the result is even on all sides and do not move it forward or backward.
- Allow the ink to dry before touching. Otherwise, you will damage the ink.
Step 4. Create an ornament from patterned paper
You can make simple shapes out of patterned paper that match the color scheme on each page.
- In addition to patterned paper, you can also use colored cardboard.
- You can draw and cut your own shapes as long as you are proficient with hand skills.
- Another option, you can use a cutting machine or paper printer that has an attractive shape.
Step 5. Add captions
If you don't leave room for captions next to photos, you can still add a bit of information by sticking captions in the corners of the photos.
- Caption paper can be written with a pen or solid ink marker.
- Attach the paper to the end of the photo by applying a small amount of glue to the end of the tape or wire attached to the paper. Leave the captions hanging.
Step 6. Be creative
You can use almost any flat material as an ornament in a scrapbook. But make sure to choose materials that don't have the potential to damage your photos.
- Unique ideas for ornaments include dried flowers, buttons, ribbons, strands of hair, magazine cuts and newspaper headlines.
- Please be careful when wearing metal ornaments. Never glue metal directly on a photo as this can damage it over time.
