What Is Digital Scrapbooking?

Digital scrapbooking is just like paper scrapbooking, with one major difference - all or most of the layout is created on the computer. Cardstock, patterned paper, stickers, chipboard, and metal embellishments all have digital counterparts for digital layouts. Often digital layouts look so realistic when printed, you have to feel the paper to believe it's flat!

Here are some key digital scrapbooking terms:

• Layers - When combining two or more images onto one in a program such as Adobe Photoshop or Corel Paint Shop Pro, each image is placed on a separate "layer." Layers can be moved, combined, or blended using your program's features.
• Backgrounds/Paper Packs - Digital designers can create backgrounds to replicate almost any texture, and offer thousands of npatters and colors to choose from, giving you an unlimited supply of digital papers (cardstock or patterned).
• Elements - Embellishments such as mMetals, wood, chipboard, ribbon, buttons, and woven accents are just a few of the elements available for your digital layouts. (Ger your digital elements kits and other digital scrapbooking supplies here at Scrapjazz.com)
  
• Distressed/Grungy - Papers and elements are often distressed for a worn, aged, or textured effect.
• Overlays - Overlays are transparent files that when placed on top of a layer, add texture or pattern. Overlays can be colorized, blended, or lightened to change the look of the layer underneath.
• Alphas - Alphabets ranging in font, size, and style (such as chipboard, metal, etc.) are saved on transparent layers.
• Brushes/Stamps - These are designs or images on transparent backgrounds. Use them as stamps on top of photos, backgrounds, or elements, or place them in the "preset brushes" folder in Photoshop. Brushes/Stamps can be colorized or resized to fit your needs.

Want to experiment with digital scrapbooking? Start by downloading a free trial of a photo imaging software (such as Lumapix FotoFusion). Then search for "freebie digital scrapbooking" to find free files. Find more ideas for digital scrapbooking in the articles "Digital Scrapbooking for Paper Scrapbookers" and "Printing Printables Effectively." Happy (digital) scrapping!