Software how-tos
Choosing digital scrapbooking software
Starting a new hobby means finding the right tools. When you want to make a digital scrapbook page, you need a program that handles image files and text. There are many options available, from full desktop programs to simple apps on your phone.
You do not need the most expensive professional software to make beautiful layouts. This guide will help you understand the features to look for and compare popular choices. You will learn what a scrapbooking program must do and how to decide which one fits your computer and your budget.
Essential software features
A standard digital scrapbook page is 12 x 12 inches at 300 pixels per inch. This equals 3600 x 3600 pixels. Any program you choose must be able to handle files of this size. It also needs to support the common file types used by designers.
Digital papers are JPG files. Elements and alphabets are transparent PNG files. Your software needs specific tools to build a layout. Without these tools, putting a page together will be frustrating.
Look for these essential features:
- Layers to stack your papers and elements
- Transparency support for PNG files
- Clipping masks or frames to fit photos into shapes
- Drop shadows to make elements look realistic
- Text tools for your journaling and titles
- Export to JPG or PNG at full resolution
If a program has these tools, you can use it to scrapbook. Dedicated scrapbook programs exist too. You must check that any program can export your final page at 300 pixels per inch for printing.
Free scrapbooking software
You can start making pages without spending money. GIMP is a free, open source program that runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It has layers and layer masks, though it does not have a one click clipping mask tool. GIMP 3.0 was released in March 2025 and added non destructive filters.
You can read our guide on how to scrapbook in GIMP to see if it fits your style. Canva is another popular choice with a free plan. It runs in a web browser and on phones and tablets.
Instead of clipping masks, Canva uses frames to hold your photos. It is very beginner friendly, and you can learn more in our tutorial on how to scrapbook in Canva. Affinity is a desktop design app now owned by Canva. As of 2026, it is offered free to use with a Canva account.
It includes powerful tools for layers and text. This makes it a strong option for hobbyists who want advanced features.
Paid desktop programs
Many hobbyists prefer paid software for extra features and convenience. Photoshop Elements is Adobe's hobby editor. It includes an Organizer to sort your supplies and guided edits to help you learn. It fully supports clipping masks and layer styles, making it easy to add realistic drop shadows.
You can check out our guide on how to scrapbook in Photoshop Elements for more details. Photoshop is the full professional editor. It is sold by subscription through Adobe Creative Cloud. This program has every tool you could possibly need, but it has a steep learning curve.
Most paid programs offer free trials. It is a good idea to try 2 before paying for 1. This lets you see which interface makes the most sense to you. You can test how the software handles large 3600 x 3600 pixel files on your computer.
Scrapbooking on tablets and phones
You do not need a desktop computer to scrapbook. Many crafters use tablets or phones to create layouts while sitting on the couch. Canva is a great option here because it works across all your devices and saves your work in the cloud.
If you have an iPad, Procreate is a drawing app sold for a one time price. It supports layers and clipping masks. This makes it work very well for scrapbooking. You can easily import your PNG and JPG files into the app to build your pages.
Working on a smaller screen can take some practice. You will want to organize your supplies in folders on your device before you start. For more tips, read our guide on digital scrapbooking on an iPad or phone.
How to choose your software
Choosing the right program depends on your budget, your computer, and how much time you want to spend learning. If you want to keep things simple, start with Canva. It requires no installation and handles basic layouts well.
If you want to use templates and clipping masks, look at Photoshop Elements or Affinity. These programs give you more control over your layers and shadows. They are excellent choices for hobby scrapbookers who want to build custom pages from scratch.
Follow these steps to make your choice:
- Check if the software runs on your operating system
- Verify that it supports layers and PNG transparency
- Make sure it exports at 300 pixels per inch
- Download a free trial to test the workspace
- Try making 1 simple layout before you buy
Once you pick a program, stick with it for a few layouts. Learning where the tools are takes a little time, but it becomes second nature quickly.
Questions people ask
Do I need Photoshop to make digital scrapbooks?
No. While Photoshop is a powerful professional tool, many hobbyists use free programs like GIMP or Canva. Photoshop Elements and Affinity are also excellent choices that cost less than a full Photoshop subscription.
Can I use a word processor to scrapbook?
Word processors are not image editors. They struggle with large 3600 x 3600 pixel files and lack the layer controls needed for complex pages. A dedicated image editor will give you much better results.
What is a clipping mask?
A clipping mask is a tool that lets you clip a photo to the shape of another layer. This is how you fit a rectangular photo into a round frame or a painted mask.