How to make a digital scrapbook page in GIMP

Create a 12 x 12 page

The standard size for a digital scrapbook page is 12 x 12 inches. To make sure your layout prints clearly, you need to set the resolution to 300 pixels per inch (ppi). This means your blank canvas will be exactly 3600 x 3600 pixels. Setting up your workspace correctly is the first step in scrapbook layout design basics.

Follow these steps to create your new page:

• Open GIMP and click File then New.
• Set the width and height to 3600 x 3600 pixels.
• Click Advanced Options.
• Change the X and Y resolution to 300 pixels per inch.
• Click OK to open your blank canvas.

Now you have a perfectly sized background ready for your digital supplies.

Bring in papers and elements

Your digital scrapbook supplies come in two main file types. Background papers are usually JPG files, while elements and alphabets are transparent PNG files. You can learn more about PNG vs JPG formats if you are curious about the difference.

To add these items to your layout, you need to place them as layers.

• Go to File then Open as Layers.
• Select the paper or element file from your computer.
• Click Open to place it on your page.

Each file you open this way will appear as a new layer in your workspace. You will probably need to change the size of your elements to fit your design. Select the layer you want to change and pick the Scale tool from your toolbox. Click on your element and hold the chain icon so it keeps its proportions as you drag the corners. Press Enter when you are happy with the new size.

Clip papers and photos to shapes

Many scrapbookers use a page template to build their layouts quickly. Templates use gray shapes to show you where to put your photos and papers. GIMP does not have a one click clipping mask feature, but you can achieve the exact same result with layer masks.

Here is how to clip a photo or paper to a shape:

• Right click the shape layer in your layers panel.
• Choose Alpha to Selection to outline the shape.
• Click on your photo or paper layer to make it active.
• Go to Layer then Mask then Add Layer Mask.
• Choose Selection and click Add.

Your photo will now take the shape of the layer below it. If you need to fix the edges later, you can edit the layer mask. Simply select the mask and use a brush tool to paint black to hide parts of the image or white to show them. This is how clipping masks explained work in GIMP.

Add drop shadows

Adding a shadow behind your elements makes them look like real paper and stickers. This small detail gives your layout depth and makes it look finished.

To add a shadow to an element:

• Select the element layer in your panel.
• Go to Filters then Light and Shadow.
• Click Drop Shadow.

A menu will pop up where you can adjust the blur, opacity, and distance of the shadow. Play with the settings until it looks natural. If you are using GIMP 3.0, these filters can stay editable as non destructive effects. This means you can go back and change the shadow settings later without ruining your original element. For more tips on making things look authentic, read our guide on realistic drop shadows.

Titles and journaling

Every scrapbook page needs a title and some journaling to tell the story behind the photos. You can use the Text tool in GIMP to type directly onto your layout.

Select the Text tool from your toolbox and click anywhere on your canvas to start typing. A new text layer will appear automatically. You can change the font, size, and color using the tool options. If you recently downloaded new fonts, make sure you install them on your computer first. Any fonts installed on your computer will appear in GIMP after a restart. If you need help getting them to show up, check our guide on how to install fonts.

Save XCF and export JPG

When you finish your layout, you need to save your work properly. It is important to save two different versions of your page.

First, save your working file so you can edit it later.

• Go to File then Save.
• Name your file and make sure it saves as an XCF file.

The XCF format is the native file type for GIMP. It keeps all your layers, masks, and text editable.

Next, you need to save a flat image file that you can print or share online.

• Go to File then Export As.
• Name your file and add the JPG extension at the end.
• Click Export and choose a high quality setting.

Your JPG file is now ready for printing. You can send this file to a photo lab or print it at home to add to your physical album.