Scrapbooking: Digital or Paper?

One of America’s favorite past-times is scrapbooking. Recording the events in the lives of the ones we love for generations to come is very enjoyable. People who do not make the scrapbooks themselves still love to look at the completed albums - the photographs and memories presented amongst embellishments and coordinating papers make them very special to look at.

But which way is better… Digital or traditional paper scrapping?

Since the arrival of digital scrapbooking a few years ago it has really become quite a popular way of making scrapbooks. Going by the term digital scrapbooking or computer scrapbooking, it has become contagious! Even those who have never made a scrapbook with paper supplies have started computer scrapbooking.

Still combining papers, elements and journaling; digital scrapbooking comes without many of the drawbacks of traditional scrapbooking. When you make scrapbook pages with your computer, there is no mess like when you’re scrapbooking with paper.

Some more benefits you get with digital include:

• The scrap in scrapbooking is not very evident since there are none.
• No glue required.
• Scrapbook papers, embellishments and other supplies reside on your computer’s hard drive or backed up on CD/DVD instead of stacked up in your house.
• You can scrap anywhere you can take your computer.
• Arranging your pages is more versatile.
• Setup and cleanup are a piece of cake and take hardly no time at all.
• You can shop online any time of the day for new digital scrapbooking supplies even in your pajamas without doing your hair or makeup.
• With the click of a mouse you can easily send your scrapbooking page layouts to your Mother, Grandparents or your Sister.
• Print your finished scrapbook pages on your home printer or order hard cover books made from them at an online photo printing service.
• Affordability! Digital scrapbooking kits cost on average of $6-8.00 and you can use them over and over.
• Take your digital pictures from your digital camera and put them right into your computer scrapbook pages without having to have them printed first. You even have the ability to make them smaller or larger with your scrapbook software in order to work them into your scrapbook layout.

And while we’re talking about digital photos, how about erasing imperfections from face’s or touching up a lousy shot using your image editing software? The scrapbookers dream.

Worried that you are not creative enough to scrapbook? There is help! Impress your family with layouts that are already made. Just drop in your own photos and add some journaling and you’re done.

You can even combine paper and digital scrapbooking! A hybrid scrapper, as they are called, print their computer layouts and then add real buttons, charms, ribbons and other elements. Or use a paper layout and add printed digital supplies.