Digital Scrapbooking is becoming very popular. It is a way to share photos with friends and family, that allows for creativity just as in traditional scrapbooking and plays into the technology driven world that we live in. Digital scrapbooking is becoming increasing popular among traditional scrapbookers and newbie scrapbookers due to the increased quality, decreased expense and mess as well as the ability to share final projects easily with others.

One of the obvious benefits of digital scrapbooking to the traditional scrapbooking is the physical mess that it does not create. With traditional scrapbooking, creators have to either have enough space in their home to leave their supplies and tools out or have enough storage space and containers. Problems arise with both, potentially dangerous tools lying around for children to get into and the hassle of putting everything in or out of storage mid-project are obvious deterrents. The other important thing to mention is the physical clean up. As many scrapbookers know, getting into a project provides an easy distraction from noticing the paper clippings and pieces of string, buttons and items spreading across the work area. Digital scrapbooking also minimizes the work area, to a computer screen.

The next great thing about digital scrapbooking is the cost, or lack there of. Yes, you can spend a lot of money on digital scrapbooking if you want, but you do not have to. The first money saving aspect is that of tools and supplies. There are many scrapbookers that have endless tubs of tools, cutting devices, hole punchers, rubber stamps, ink pads, paper supply, ribbon, buttons, pins, stickers and the list goes on. The supplies for digital scrapbooking can often times be found online for free or created with graphic and photo software. The biggest cost of digital scrapbooking is usually related to finding a computer program to use. Photo programs can run from $50-300, but many provide free downloadable trials so you can be certain of your investment. One could run into a some expenses when it comes to equipment like digital cameras, scanners and printers, but most people are likely to already own most of this equipment.

One of the best things about digital scrapbooks is just that, it’s digital. The digital platform allows corrections and additions to be made easily. How easy is it to physically change an actual hand-made scrapbook page, its not. In fact, attempting to do so may ruin the page all together, wasting a lot of time and resources. Digital scrapbooks are also extremely popular because of their ’share-ability’ (is that a word?). The satisfaction in scrapbooking in two-fold: seeing the final product and sharing the final product. You can share your scrapbook with all those around you. With digital scrapbooks, you can share with those around the world. Have family members living cross country, or grandparents that can get enough details about their grandchildren? You wouldn’t want to risk mailing your piece of art to them.

As mentioned a minute ago, one of the greatest things about scrapbooking, is being able to see it in completion. To have something physical that looks good, is personal and gives you a sense of accomplishment. Digital scrapbooks do not take this away. There are many websites, scrapbooking companies and even photo labs that can print your pages or even an entire book, printed & bound.

Digital scrapbooking provides many of the perks of traditional scrapbooking but with added ease, lower cost, with just as much of a creative outlet. It also has many benefits that traditional scrapbooking does not have, making it the choice for many. If you are looking for a project that is enjoyable to build, personal and fun to share, digital scrapbooking may be for you.



Thanks to Wesley Skiles for contributing this article to our Scrapbooking blog:

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