The scrapbooking industry is growing by leaps and bounds every day, and the number and types of available products grows daily, as well. Trying to get a handle on all of it can be an overwhelming task for those new to scrapbooking. So what things do you REALLY need to get started? Probably a lot less than you might think.
What constitutes a basic supplies list is, to some degree, a matter of opinion. If you ask 10 different scrapbookers what they consider a list of "essentials," you'll probably get ten different lists. Some scrapbookers use ribbons on every single layout, and so they consider a wide array of ribbons a matter of necessity. Others use sewing (or "stitching") for attaching elements or adding decorative touches to pages, and so they consider their sewing machine an essential tool.
For the purpose of this course, I have tried to focus on those products and supplies that are the most commonly used, by the greatest number of scrapbookers. Your own personal list of "must-haves" may have additional items, or may not require one or two of the items listed in this course. But this will definitely give you a good footing from which to start. Always remember to keep archival integrity in mind as you add to your stash of items.
There is a multitude of paper available to today's scrapbooker - everything from very lightweight handmade mulberry papers to the more recently-adopted chipboard. As your style develops, you may incorporate some of these "specialty" papers into your layouts. In the meantime, as a beginner, you would do well to invest in a variety of colors of good-quality cardstock, as well as start your collection of patterned papers.
Cardstock is not the same thing as construction paper - it is different in consistency, use, component products, and commonly-available sizes. Cardstock is a thick-grade paper sold either individually or in multipacks, usually in 8.5"x11" or 12"x12" sizes. There are also "mat stacks" available - a variety pack of smaller cardstock suitable for matting photos - as well as packs of 8" or 6" square cardstock. As with everything else, this is an evolving area, and there are more choices all the time as manufacturers cater to scrapbookers' needs.
Cardstock can be plain or "textured", meaning it has a bumpy feel to it, and may actually be embossed with a particular pattern. Textured cardstock tends to be slightly more expensive than plain cardstock, per page.
I recommend that you start your cardstock collection off with a multi-pack of "neutrals" (black, white, gray, tan, perhaps off-white). Add to this the colors that you think you are most likely to use based on the kind of scrapbooking you plan to do. For example, if you are planning a baby book for a boy, you might want to stock up on a few shades of pastel blue, purple, and green. If you are planning a Christmas album, you might look for greens, reds, and golds. Avoid buying too many sheets of any particular color (except white and black), as you may grow tired of using a particular shade. A general rule of thumb is that you should get between 2 and 4 sheets of a particular color, unless you want every page in your album to have the same background color. Be sure the cardstock you are buying is acid-free and lignin-free, so that it will be safe for your scrapbook.
In the "old days" of the current scrapbooking movement, in the early 80s, there weren't many choices for patterned paper. Dots, plaids, ginghams, and tiny florals were about the extent of the assortment. Now, the choices seem almost limitless. Do you like stripes? Words? Marbles? Realistic-looking landscapes? Is your style cutesy? Shabby chic? Victorian? Collage? Classic? Geometric? There are papers out there to suit every taste. I can't give you a lot of advice on this score about what style/theme paper to buy, since you will want paper that reflects your own personal sense of artistry, and that complements your photos.
Pay attention to the layouts you are most drawn to as you look at scrapbooking magazines, blogs, and other sources. Take note of the details of those spreads that really grab you. If they use patterned paper, is it large-scale or small-scale? Multi-color, or more monochromatic? Retro or modern? Stripes or plaids? This will give you the best insight into what kinds of paper you should get for yourself. Beyond that, just get whatever papers "feel" right to you as you browse your local or online scrapbook stores.
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Some of the newer paper lines have the added advantage of being two-sided. These can be very useful in coordinating colors for layouts down the line, and for creating certain paper embellishments yourself. They are pricier than conventional one-sided paper, but the added benefit could be worth it. Patterned paper is usually available in two standard sizes - 8.5"x11" or 12"x12" - though 6" and 8" square is becoming more common.
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Unless you plan to carry a particular paper line through an entire album, it is rarely necessary to get more than one or two sheets of any particular print. Individual sheets do not seem expensive, but they can add up quickly. Look for deals and discounts on paper the same way you would for other products. You can often find multi-packs and assortments at a cost that makes the per-sheet price far less expensive than if you were choosing each piece yourself. These offer great savings, assuming you like enough of the papers in the packs to truly make them worthwhile.
As you accumulate patterned paper and cardstock, you'll likely want to organize and store it in some logical way to help you find what you need, and to prevent paper from becoming crumpled or torn. There are dozens of storage systems specifically for scrapbookers available on the market, and you may want to consider some of these at some point, but they are not generally necessary for the beginner. You might want to consider using one or more of the other ideas scrapbookers have devised in the meantime.
You can purchase stacking filing slots, turn them on their sides, and use them to store your paper vertically (this system is beautifully illustrated here and here). You could also purchase the wire shelves with plastic connectors and use zip ties to create additional vertical shelves for a paper-storage system (see here and here for illustrations of this technique).
Wal-Mart, Target, and other large chain stores sell a myriad of storage units that can accommodate 12" paper. Accordion file folders, drawer systems, stacking plastic bins - the choices can be dizzying. Office supply stores are beginning to realize the need for craft-oriented paper storage, and are now stocking some fairly versatile products. Consider the space you have available to you, your needs, and look around for solutions that might work for you.
I use three separate Crop-in-Style Paper Totes to store patterned paper and most cardstock. One tote is for "cools" (greens, purples, and blues), another for "warms" (reds, yellows, pinks, and oranges), and the third for neutrals and multis. The rest of my cardstock - multipacks, mostly - is stored in a rolling tote that keeps the paper accessible, but not "in the way."
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Whatever system you choose or devise on your own, you need to make sure you have a way to divide the paper into meaningful categories. Most scrapbookers sort their paper by colors for those that are predominantly one color, putting multi-color papers into another section, or even several other sections. This is one of those gray, "no right way" areas, and your own organizational system will likely evolve over time. Be sure that your paper storage system protects your paper from direct contact with sunlight, heat, and moisture, as all three of these will damage your paper.
Scissors are another must-have item for scrapbooking. Used for everything from trimming fibers and adhesives to cutting out shapes and letters, these little babies get a lot of use. You can probably get by for a time with your junk-drawer scissors, but you would do well to invest in a nice, sharp pair of fine-tipped craft scissors. The spring-loaded variety are nice (I use the Fiskars brand micro-tip), but are not necessary. A few years ago, decorative scissors were so en vogue that they would've been considered essential, but that is no longer the case.
You will need some way to "crop" (or trim) your photos, mats, and other items for your layouts. Most scrapbookers use a personal paper trimmer for this (I use the Fiskars brand and EK Success' Cutterpede). There are several brands to choose from, and several styles. If you get the opportunity, I recommend you try several different brands to see which works best for you.
Paper trimmers can cost a little more than you might want to invest initially. At the very minimum, you will need some kind of durable straight-edge (metal rulers work well) and cutting implement, such as an Xacto knife. Be very careful with these tools, however, since they are extremely sharp and can cause serious injury. Be sure to retract the blade - or replace the lid - on your cutting implement after each use to avoid injury. If you use a craft knife and straight-edge for trimming and cropping, you will also need a self-healing mat to put underneath the article you are trimming, to avoid slicing your work surface.
Whether you use a paper trimmer or other cutting implement, change the blade as soon as it begins to show signs of wear: jagged edges, a less-than-crisp cutting sound, requiring more force to use effectively. Replacement blades might seem expensive at first, but they will save you lots of aggravation in the long run from poor workmanship. As with any other craft, your finished products will only be as good as your tools.
How in the world are you going to stick all those pictures to the page? Not with Elmer's glue, surely! If you are going to invest money and (more importantly) time into a keepsake album, you want to use good, quality adhesives. Acid- and lignin-free, of course, but also with a strong bond. You do not want your adhesive to "show" when you look at your page, and you do not want pieces of the layout to fall off later because you used inferior adhesive.
Many people swear by glue sticks. You can buy archivally safe glue sticks - and they are certainly more affordable than other alternatives - but unless your budget absolutely, positively WILL NOT allow you to purchase anything else, I strongly recommend you not go this route. It has been my experience that glue sticks simply do not offer a strong enough, permanent enough bond for scrapbooking. Glue from glue sticks is messy, and doesn't always spread evenly, leaving you with lumps and bumps behind flat elements - an unattractive look.
A good first purchase would be a box of photo tabs. These are squares of double-sided adhesive tape that you use on corners - or, trimmed, on other elements - to bond pieces of your page together. Photo tabs are relatively inexpensive and mess-free, and offer a strong, lasting bond. There are several brands available.
Another adhesive that would be a good investment is a glue pen. There are several styles on the market - everything from ballpoint to inch-wide chisel felt-tip. If you get the opportunity, you might want to try a few different ones to see which suits your needs and preferences best. Glue pens are very useful for attaching smaller paper embellishments, though the bond is probably not strong enough for attaching 3-D embellishments like buttons and wire.
Eventually, you will probably work up to one of the refillable adhesive dispensers. These are a little more expensive than the photo tabs, but they have the added advantage of greater convenience. You can purchase permanent adhesive and temporary adhesive in refillable dispensers, and each has its own uses.
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You should purchase an adhesive eraser. Even the most careful of scrapbookers occasionally squeezes out too much from the glue pen and needs to remove a bit that shows through. Otherwise your pages could look unprofessional and sloppy, defeating the purpose of producing an artful tribute to your memories. Adhesive erasers are not expensive, and can be found at many craft supply stores and scrapbook stores.
Finally, consider an adhesive remover. The most popular brand is called un-du. This smelly but useful solution is great for safely removing and/or repositioning everything from pictures to stickers to paper. It dries quickly, though the first time you squirt some onto your layout you might think you're hyperventilating. Millions of scrapbookers would reassure you, though, that it is archivally safe and acid free. You can also now purchase un-du wipes (like individually-wrapped baby wipes, but with un-du solution) to clean adhesive off of your scissors or other tools.
As you can imagine, there are lots more adhesives available for scrapbookers, but these items will get you well on your way to creating beautiful scrapbook layouts.
Start shopping! There will be another lesson on basic supplies next week, but this week's lesson should be plenty to get you started looking for some of what you will need. I recommend you find the following:
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