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Get Started With Digital Scrapbooking: The 5 Things You Need to Know!
Are you a paper scrapbooker who has decided to make the move from traditional scrapbooking to digital? Or are you completely new to the concept of digital scrapbooking? Either way, there are a few things you should know before you get started.
First of all, you need to look for a good digital scrapbooking software program to help you create your layouts. Since not all digital scrapbooking software programs are the same, you'll want to keep a few important points in mind when selecting your program.
1. Your digital scrapbooking software should be easy to use, but it should also have many creative features that help make your pages shine.
2. It should be affordable, but beware of products that are too inexpensive as well. As with most things in life, "free" isn't always the best value. A good rule of thumb is that the best products will cost under $60, but you should be able to find a sale and get 20% off if you look around.
3. It should include a good variety of high-quality scrapbooking kits. The quality of the embellishments and papers is definitely more important than quantity. Thousands of pieces of generic clipart isn't the same thing!
4. Its pre-made templates should be fully-editable, and it should be expandable with other digital scrapbooking content so you never get bored.
5. A good digital scrapbooking software program should offer a free, full-featured downloadable trial so that you can take it for a "test drive" and try everything out before you buy. Plus, you should be able to purchase and download the full product immediately, so you can start scrapbooking even if it's 2 in the morning!
Once you've done your research and found the perfect program, it's time to start creating those layouts! The best digital scrapbooking programs are intuitive and easy to learn. You should be able to start making pages just by starting it up and playing around. But, to get the most out of your digital scrapbooking software, follow these important tips:
1. If you're the kind of person who like to know everything, start by reading the User's Guide. Look on the Help menu from within your software for a link to an electronic "PDF" version. It should have great information that covers all the features.
2. Check out the program's website. You should find free and easy to follow tutorials. A combination of video tutorials and lessons will help you learn to use the software very quickly.
3. See if your program has an online scrapbooking forum. An active scrapbooking discussion forum is a great resource for learning about your software. Digital scrapbookers from all over the world will be there and you can advice around the clock, plus you'll find great tips and inspirational ideas!
Informed with the basics, you can begin experimenting! Start by selecting a pre-made template, then add in your photos to personalize the page. Hopefully you picked a digital scrapbooking program that features fully-editable template pages (plus the option to create a page from "scratch")! Use your mouse to edit your layout - simply point and click to add embellishments, delete paper scraps, move objects, and even resize and rotate photos. Don't worry about making a mistake! Simply choose "undo" if you make a change that you don't like. That's big advantage over paper and scissors and glue!
Once you master the features of your digital scrapbooking software, you can really get creative and start making beautiful pages from scratch. Are you the type of person who loves working on a blank canvas? Your scrapbooking software should let you fully express all those great ideas! You'll be making unique pages in no time.
Not yet ready to start making pages from scratch? How about drawing inspiration from other digital scrapbookers? Check out your software's online scrapbooking gallery. Not only can you post your layouts when you're done, but you can view other people's work! Seeing what other scrapbookers are doing is a great way to get inspired and stoke your creativity. In fact, this "scraplifting" (basing your layout on someone else's design), is a time-honored tradition among scrapbookers. You just want to make sure you give credit where credit is due!
Another way to improve your skills is to participate in online crops and challenges. Look for them in the online forums. These challenges often focus on a particular technique or inspiration and are a great way to learn more about digital scrapbooking in a fun way. Keep your eye out for challenges that offer freebies and downloads - you'll develop your skills, plus get free stuff for your stash!
Getting started with digital scrapbooking is much easier than most people think! If you choose the right digital scrapbooking software, it certainly is! Remember to look for a program that offers a full-featured trial, a User's Guide and online tutorials, a helpful and fun online community, and fully-editable templates to help you get started. You'll be an expert digital scrapbooker in no time!
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