Anatomy of a Digital Scrapbook Layout

Creating a beautiful digital scrapbooking layout is easy! There are only 3 elements needed to create a basic layout a piece of background paper, at least one photo, and some journaling.  

We could stop here but we’re not going to.... Next we’ll add some word art.

Then, last but not least, let’s add a flourish.

Now you have a finished digital scrapbook layout ready to print, post in an online gallery, or send by email.

Just like with traditional scrapbooking, digital scrapbooking layouts can be clean and simple or they can include everything but the kitchen sink (without getting bulky). Whatever style suits your personality is possible with digital scrapbooking. The wonderful thing about creating scrapbook layouts digitally is that either style is possible with the same photograph.

Digital Scrapbook Design Elements: 

• Alphabets


• Background Paper


• Custom Shapes


• Digital Stamps and Brushes


• Embellishments


• Fonts, Fonts, Fonts!


• Frames


• Journaling Spots


• Overlays


• Quick Pages


• Tags


• Templates


• Text Trails & Shapes


• Word Art


• and much more...

You'll need a photo editing program to create digital scrapbook layouts.

Which software should I use?

A quick Internet search for scrapbooking and software will provide you with a long list of software programs. Our designers use Adobe® Photoshop and recommend Adobe® Photoshop Elements as an excellent choice. The software you choose will be based on several considerations: 

• Computer operating system requirements – make sure your system will run the software you select! Some software can require up to 700MB of hard disk space and require an up-to-date operating system like Windows XP, Windows Vista or Mac OS X.
• Computer knowledge - some programs have a steeper learning curve than others. If you have limited computer experience, you might want a program that will “hold your hand” through basic editing tasks. The best programs have two levels to accommodate both beginner and advanced users.
• Style of scrapbooking – if you see yourself designing your own embellishments then you might want to consider purchasing a software program with high flexibility. But don’t panic, there are PLENTY of digital goodies in our store for those of you who just want to get to it!
• Templates – You may just want to get on with putting your layouts together. Most of the software programs will come with some templates. The more popular ones will also have additional templates available through third party vendors like those in our online store.
• Tutorials – Again, the more popular software programs will have more tutorials available. Heart2Heart Designs supports Photoshop Elements with instructional written and video tutorials.
• Flexibility – It’s all about the tools. The more features the program has the more flexible it will be. But don’t ignore the learning curve!
• File Format Support – Be sure the program supports a wide range of graphic file formats. At the very least it should allow you to import and export JPEG and PNG files.
• Web Integration – Many of the new programs let you save your work in a web compatible format. Making them easy to post online or email to friends and family.
• Price – this isn’t always the first consideration! Do some research so you only have to purchase the software once. Until, of course, the next upgrade is available.

You can download the layered PSD file used in this article here.