Crafts
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What are the Different Types of Scrapbooking Techniques?

Sheri Cyprus
Sheri Cyprus

Scrapbooking is making creatively designed pages to display photographs and other keepsakes. The possible scrapbooking techniques are endless and limited only by the imagination. Some of the most popular types of techniques used in scrapbooking are framing, piecing papers, peekabooing, paper punching, adding stickers and stamping.

Rubber stamps are sold in many different shapes, subjects, styles and sizes. Stamping scrapbooking techniques can add a lot of interesting detail to photograph pages. For example, on a scrapbook album page featuring photos of flowers from a garden, floral themed stampings could be added around the picture at random or placed to form a border. Multicolored ink pads can be used with the stamps. Alternatively, colored pencils can be used to color in the stamped outline; there are also self-inking, multi-colored stampers.

Scissors for scrapbooking.
Scissors for scrapbooking.

Stickers are popular scrapbook additions. Besides the wide range of subject matter, there are also different finishes such as foil or glitter to add interest to scrapbook pages. One of the most creative scrapbooking techniques is to use small pointed scissors to cut and use portions from different stickers. Textured materials can also be combined with ready-made stickers to create eye-catching accents. For example, metallic thread can be added to balloon stickers to create three-dimensional strings.

Scrapbooking techniques add embellishments to otherwise plain photo albums.
Scrapbooking techniques add embellishments to otherwise plain photo albums.

Paper punches make small, confetti-like shapes to use in scrapbooking. Similar to the way a hole punch makes holes in paper, craft punches create cut-outs of a uniform size and shape. The shapes vary from animals to flowers to geometric figures and many others. Both the shapes and the shaped holes that the punch creates can be used to create interesting scrapbooking techniques.

Photographs are often framed or given borders in scrapbooking.
Photographs are often framed or given borders in scrapbooking.

Peekabooing is using a craft knife to make shaped openings in a scrapbook page to reveal parts of other pages. Peekaboo scrapbooking techniques add depth and creativity to photo pages. The cut-out shapes may be straight or curved, or completely free form. Piecing papers together is a scrapbooking technique that resembles quilting in that different shapes are fitted together to form an overall look. Shapes such as squares or triangles cut from scrapbooking papers can be used together to make pieced borders and frames.

Stickers are the most common types of scrapbooking embellishments.
Stickers are the most common types of scrapbooking embellishments.

Framing can also be done with un-punched papers or specialty materials such as vellum. Vellum is the translucent, frosty looking paper often seen in invitations. It can be torn in strips to make rustically elegant frames around photographs. As vellum is partially transparent, either in white or pastel colors, the edges of the photograph can still be somewhat visible through the frame to give the scrapbook page an interesting look.

Discussion Comments

pastanaga

@Iluviaporos - Actually I'd imagine that the lessons mostly cover scrapbook ideas rather than worrying too much about "ruining" your scrapbooks and the things you want to put in them.

After all, once you know the basic techniques of how to fix things on paper (here's a hint, use something sticky) there's not much else to learn except for the different ways to make them pretty.

And that's mostly creativity. It's not that difficult to figure out how to stamp a sheet of paper and only you will know what will look best and where, but lessons can show you all the little tricks of the trade, like using ribbons on balloon stickers and silver beads as bubbles.

lluviaporos

@browncoat - Actually, that's why I think it's a good idea to go and have a couple of scrapbooking lessons before trying to have a go. People can make a real mess out of their scrapbooks for the lack of a bit of tutoring.

You might say that it's OK to learn as you go, but often people are scrapbooking with precious mementos that can't be replaced, like ticket stubs, photos, pressed flowers and so forth.

You definitely don't want to dash into scrapbooking and end up gluing your precious things to paper that doesn't really suit them.

Plus scrapbooking lessons are lovely, social events and you can meet people from all walks of life.

At the very least, read a book on scrapbook techniques before starting out.

browncoat

I think one of the most important things to remember when you're scrapbooking is to keep it simple and uncrowded on the page.

You might occasionally have a splash page with a bunch of photos and things on it, but generally if every single page is full of different stuff it can because difficult to focus on the important things.

The better scrapbooking albums I've seen have only one or two photos per page, perhaps with a couple of other things that go with the photo, like a ticket stub and maybe a few embellishments to make it more interesting and tie all the different things on the page together.

If you just throw a whole bunch of stuff on there and don't plan it out or make careful choices you'll end up with a mess that's no better than keeping the photos in a box.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Scissors for scrapbooking.
      By: arska n
      Scissors for scrapbooking.
    • Scrapbooking techniques add embellishments to otherwise plain photo albums.
      By: SilviuFlorin
      Scrapbooking techniques add embellishments to otherwise plain photo albums.
    • Photographs are often framed or given borders in scrapbooking.
      By: nito
      Photographs are often framed or given borders in scrapbooking.
    • Stickers are the most common types of scrapbooking embellishments.
      By: Monkey Business
      Stickers are the most common types of scrapbooking embellishments.
    • As with all forms of scrapbooking, photographs are often the focus of any digital scrapbooking project.
      By: olly
      As with all forms of scrapbooking, photographs are often the focus of any digital scrapbooking project.
    • Scrapbookers might use extra materials laying around the house to add finishing touches to a project.
      By: nito
      Scrapbookers might use extra materials laying around the house to add finishing touches to a project.
    • Twine, clothes pins, and card paper are examples of items that can be found around the house and repurposed for scapbooking.
      By: Sergey Mostovoy
      Twine, clothes pins, and card paper are examples of items that can be found around the house and repurposed for scapbooking.