Getting started
Getting started with digital scrapbooking: your first page
Making your first digital scrapbook page is easier than you might think. If you are new to the hobby, staring at a blank screen can feel a little overwhelming. This guide walks you through the exact steps to create a simple layout from start to finish. You will learn how to set up your document, layer papers and photos, and save your work for printing. By following a basic formula, you can skip the frustration and focus on telling your story. Grab a few favorite photos and let us get started on building a beautiful memory.
Pick your software
Before you start, you need a program to build your layout. There are several good options depending on your budget and computer skills. You can read more about choosing digital scrapbooking software to find the right fit.
- Choose software. Free options include GIMP and Canva. Photoshop Elements is a common paid choice made for hobby use.
GIMP is very powerful but has a learning curve. Canva is easy to use in your web browser. Photoshop Elements offers tools specifically designed for photo editing and crafting. Pick one program to learn first. You can always switch later once you understand the basic concepts of layers and moving items around a page.
Gather supplies
Next, you need digital papers and decorations. Digital papers are JPG files. Elements and alphabets are transparent PNG files. This transparency allows you to stack them over your papers without ugly white boxes around them.
- Download a kit or a paper pack and an element pack, then unzip the ZIP file into a folder you can find again.
- Pick 1 to 3 photos that tell one story. Fewer photos make an easier first page.
Organize your supplies before you begin. If you need help opening your files, check out our guide on how to download and unzip a kit. Picking just a few photos keeps the design simple. Too many pictures can make the page feel crowded and difficult to arrange.
Set up the page
Now it is time to open your software and create your canvas. The standard digital scrapbook page is a large square. This matches traditional physical albums.
- Create a new document 12 x 12 inches at 300 pixels per inch (3600 x 3600 pixels).
Setting the resolution to 300 pixels per inch (ppi) ensures your page will look crisp and clear when printed. If you prefer a shortcut, a page template does much of the layout work for a beginner. You simply replace the gray shapes with your own papers and photos. Using templates is a great way to learn how good design works without starting from scratch.
Build the page in layers
Building a page is just stacking items on top of each other. Start from the bottom and work your way up. Think of your computer screen as a physical desk.
- Drag a background paper in and resize it to fill the page.
- Add a second paper as a smaller block or strip to anchor the photos.
- Place photos, either with a frame element on top or clipped to a shape.
- Add 3 to 7 elements in clusters near the photos rather than spread evenly over the page.
Anchoring your photos with a strip of paper gives them a solid foundation. Grouping elements in clusters draws the eye to your pictures. If you want to fit your photos perfectly into shapes, clipping masks explained will show you the shortcut in every program.
Finish with shadows, title and journaling
Flat pages can look a bit unnatural. A few finishing touches will make your layout look like real paper and tell the complete story behind your photos.
- Add soft drop shadows so papers and elements look like they sit on the page.
- Add a title and a few lines of journaling with who, what, when and why.
Shadows create depth. Learning to create realistic drop shadows is a great way to improve your layouts. Your journaling does not need to be long. Just a few simple sentences explaining the memory will mean a lot when you look back at the page years from now.
Save and export
You want to save your work so you can fix mistakes later. You also need a flat version you can print or share online.
- Save a layered working file (PSD in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, XCF in GIMP) so you can edit later.
- Export a JPG for printing or sharing.
Keep your layered files organized in a safe folder on your computer. The layered file keeps every piece of paper and photo separate. The exported JPG merges everything into one single image ready for the photo lab. Always double check your spelling in the journaling before exporting the final image.
Questions people ask
What size should a digital scrapbook page be?
The standard digital scrapbook page is 12 x 12 inches at 300 pixels per inch. This equals exactly 3600 x 3600 pixels. Setting your document to this size ensures your layout will print clearly without looking blurry.
What is the difference between JPG and PNG files?
Digital papers are saved as JPG files. Elements and alphabets are saved as transparent PNG files. The transparent background on a PNG file allows you to place the item over your paper without a white box showing around the edges.
Do I have to start with a blank page?
No, you do not have to start from scratch. A page template does much of the layout work for a beginner. You simply open the template and replace the gray shapes with your own papers and photos.
How many photos should I use on my first page?
Pick 1 to 3 photos that tell one story. Fewer photos make an easier first page. Trying to fit too many pictures on your first layout can be difficult to arrange and might feel crowded.