Once you have tools, supplies, and a place to scrap, start thinking about how to create your layout. As you become more familiar with the process, conceiving a layout will come more easily to you. When devising a layout, take the following steps:
Table of Contents
1. Determine the Story That You Want to Tell
An important part of the scrapbooking process is telling a story. For instance, you may want to show your feelings about a friend, demonstrate developmental changes in a child, or recount a milestone event. Whatever story you aim to tell, give thought to the overall look of the page, its mood, and the types of embellishments and techniques you want to use. Take a few moments to write down some notes and define what your page is going to be about.
2. Select Photographs
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Look through scrapbooking magazines and you’ll notice two trends: the single-photo layout and the multi-photo layout.
- Single-photo layout: If you want to emphasize one particular subject or have an especially stunning photo, the single-photo layout can highlight it best.
- Multi-photo layout: For some events, several photos depicting different people or aspects may be the best way to tell the story. Or you may want to use more than one photo to draw comparisons or show contrasts. For instance, you could include several photos of one person over the course of a year.
3. Pick a Page Size
If you have only one size album, you’ll probably be scrapping in only that size (typically 12″ × 12″ or 8 1/2″ × 11″). But some scrappers use multiple paper sizes, especially if they like to create smaller mini-albums. Don’t lock yourself into one particular method—experiment with different sizes for different pages. If you want to scrap a page with several photos, a 12″ × 12″ two-page spread might be the best option. A layout with just one 4″ × 6″ photo, on the other hand, might look better on 8 1/2″ × 11″ paper.
4. Pick Papers
Cardstock and patterned papers come in endless varieties. When you’re first starting out, take your photos with you to the craft store and try to match colors or designs. Look for other papers that appeal to you and buy a few sheets to keep on hand. As you build up a supply, you’re likely to have just what you need when you need it. Simple cardstock is always a good choice, but keep a variety of colored papers in stock too. Until you’re more practiced, limit yourself to no more than three patterned papers per layout.
5. Choose Embellishments
The embellishments that you choose should coordinate in color and material. They should also reinforce your story. Some layouts call for a lot of decoration, whereas others look better with only one or two well-chosen pieces. Consider the mood of your layout when making a selection. Many paper manufacturers also produce coordinating embellishments, making it easy to find matching products.
6. Adhere All the Elements
Once you have all your pieces in place, stick them to the page with double-sided tape (you may need stronger adhesive for heavier items). Either place all your elements on the page and move them around before you adhere them or put the main photo or focal point in its place and work around it to find the best spots for the rest of the pieces.
7. Store the Pages
Layouts are usually stored in photo albums—sometimes chronologically and sometimes by subject matter. You don’t have to follow any particular system; just think about what would work for you (perhaps a system similar to the way you store your photos). Make sure your albums have archival-quality pages so they’ll last for years.
