How to get started in digi scrapping

When I first came across digital scrapbooking or digi scrapping for short, I was simply amazed by how wonderful the layouts looked and couldn't believe that they were done digitally! I knew that this was something I wanted to do and I couldn't wait to get started. However, I was also overwhelmed by all the resources and different communities out there and I didn't quite know how to begin. Fortunately I have figured out my way around and am now a happy digi scrapper.

So, I thought I would share some tips on how to get started in digi scrapping, and hopefully this will help those of you who are new to this amazing craft!

First of all, what is digital scrapbooking?

Well, simply put, instead of traditional paper scrapbooking where you make layouts using actual papers and elements, digi scrapping is the use of digital scrapbooking papers and elements, such as these...

... to make digital scrapbook layouts, such as this....

... using a photo editing software.

(The layout above is created using the Behind Every Good Kid kit by Jady Day Studios.)

Next up, how to get started in digital scrapbooking?

If you are thinking that in order to get started, you'll need to start investing in software or start buying a whole lot of digi scrapping kits, well you don't have to. There are a lot of free resources on the web, and you can make use of these resources to try it out, learn the basics, and get comfortable with digi scrapping.

Here are 3 ways how you can get started.

1. Master the Basics

There are some basic techniques that you'll need to know as a digi scrapper, and the beauty of the internet age is that there are A LOT of tutorials on digi scrapping. Here are some of my favorite FREE beginner tutorials:

Digital Scrapbooking for Beginners at Scrapaneers

This is a video tutorial so it actually makes it easier for you to visualize. What I like about this tutorial is that it is systematic, it starts from the basics all the way to creating an entire layout. And what I really like about it is that it comes with a full digital scrapbook kit, some quick pages and templates FREE, so you can start to practice right away!

"Getting Started" Tutorials at Sweet Shoppe Designs

There is a whole section of beginner tutorials at the Sweet Shoppe, and they cover many techniques and topics like choosing a photo editing software, making your first layout, using templates etc. However, the tutorials are not organised in terms of levels of difficulty, so you would have to explore a bit. I would recommend starting from this introductory tutorial, and this on how to make your first layout.

Tutorials at Pixel Scrapper

This is also another source of tutorials and what I like is that they are organised into difficulty levels so you can just zoom straight to the beginner level tutorials. There are also an introduction to the photo editing software Photoshop.


2. Download a Trial Photo Editing Software

You will need a photo editing software in order to put your layout together. There are quite a number of software that digi scrappers use. Here is a good introduction and overview of the various available software. The more popular ones would be Adobe Photoshop CS and Adobe Photoshop Elements.

Most of these software would have free trials, so download them and give it try and see which one you are most comfortable with. I have only used Adobe Photoshop CS so I can't comment on the rest, but in my opinion, I would suggest going for Adobe Photoshop Elements or CS as these are full feature programs and you would have more control over the effects that you create.


3. Hunt for Freebies

Now that you have learnt some basic techniques and gotten hold of a photo editing software, it's time to practice! And to do that, you will need some supplies - digital scrapbooking papers and elements. Most of the digi scrapping stores and designers offer freebies that you can download. As mentioned earlier, if you download the beginner's tutorial at Scrapaneers, you already get a full kit free. That is already enough to get you started. At Pixel Scrapper, if you sign up for an account (you don't need to pay anything to sign up), you can get a full collab kit free too. Take your time to explore the web and various digi scrapping stores and see what goodies you can pick up.

Here are some to get you started:

Sweet Shoppe Designs
The Digi Chick
Quality Digi Scrap Freebies
Digi Scrap Freebie Finder


I hope this makes it easier for you to get started. It really isn't all that overwhelming once you get into it! It's a lot of about experimenting and having fun and finding your own personal preferences and style.

And if you get stuck again along the way, just look at the numerous galleries out there to look for inspiration. Happy scrapping!