Digital Scrapbooking Basics

I love, love, love Digital Scrapbooking. You may be thinking that's because I was a paper scrapper and just cruised on over to digital. Nope. I was(am) an avid paper scrapbook supply collector. I would buy paper supplies and tools with the intention of doing fabulous pages, but nope, nothing ever was created. I still have all the supplies, by the way. This all changed when I discovered digital scrapbooking.

Here's why:
1) There's no set up. I don't have to spend an hour getting all my supplies out in front of me (or worse, cleaning a table to put my supplies on to begin scrapping)

2) I can walk away from it at any time and stay gone for hours and little fingers will not mess up my page or cut my paper. Come on you know what I'm talking about. (of course I would suggest you save and close your files before you walk away, just to be safe)

3) I can use my digital supplies, over and over as long as I don't delete the original files.

4) I don't have to store multiple copies of photos.

5) I don't have to physically cut my photos.

6) I can redo my scrapbook page anytime I want if I decide I want to completely redo it, as long as I save my working file.

7) I can scrapbook anywhere using my laptop, without hauling a ton of supplies.

8) I can print multiple copies of a page without having to "make" multiple pages.

Equipment:

Computer. In my opinion, the bigger the screen the better. But you'll need a decent computer(power/hard drive size) to support your graphics program of choice. I use a laptop, but we also have a desktop. I have scrapbooking files on both. I am a PC....of course graphically the be all end all is a MAC. {sigh} maybe one day the photoshop fairy will leave me one.

EHD- External Hard Drive-You can get by for a while without one, but if you really get into digital scrapbooking, you will be astounded how quickly you fill up your computer's hard drive.

Tablet-Not necessary, but does allow you to add handwritten or hand drawn embellisments to your scrapbooks.

Software:

Personally I'm a Photoshop Gal. But there are other graphics programs out there too!

Photoshop is gonna cost you a lot, probably around $1000 new. But check with adobe about the upgrade prices, because you can upgrade from other adobe qualified products and not pay the "new" price.

Photoshop Elements is gonna run you about $90, sometimes you can find it for less, even at this price it is far more affordable than full-blown Photoshop, but still a very good program and can meet almost all your scrapbooking needs.

Paint Shop Pro, in the same price range as Photoshop Elements. Its a good program as far as I know. Can't say much about it, I've tried to familiarize myself with it, but I'm a photoshop gal through and through. Paint Shop Users are just as loyal as Photoshop users.

.JPEG---this is a file type, which most of your scrapbook papers or backgrounds are saved in. You should be able to use this file type in any image manipulation software.

.PNG---this is a file type, which many or all elements are saved in. This file type allows you to save a cutout image without a background. You should be able to use this file type in any image manipulation software.

.PSD---default file for photoshop, this is raw data and you can create your page in this format and build multiple layers. You can only open .PSD files in a Photoshop environment.

.TIFF--this is file type similar to .PSD files, EXCEPT it's use is not limited to Photoshop programs. It also takes up less hard drive space than a .PSD file, so I am in the process of converting all .PSD files to .TIFF. You should be able to use this file type in any image manipulation software.

DPI--Dots Per Inch. This refers to resolution quality of images. You will see this term used all over the place in regards to digital image media. Here's the important thing to remember, the minimum for good print quality is 300 dpi. Since you are creating scrapbook pages, you'll want your products to be in 300 dpi. Most designers should do this, but some don't, I have no idea why.

TERMS OF USE(TOU)---You'll see this all over digital scrapbooking sites or possibly other sites that offer downloadable media. Its one of the most important terms in relationship to digital scrapbooking. The terms of use of each product, explains the limitations to the use of the product. People sometime think that because they buy something and download it, it is theirs to use however they see fit. Bear in mind that digital scrapbook products are in deed works of art and as such have limitations to their uses. Read through these terms, Personal Use, Commercial Use, Scrap for Hire, Scrap for Others to understand better.

Personal-Use: When products are labeled Personal-Use, they are priced lower and intended for you to use for yourself, personally and not for any type of business uses. Read the Terms of Use to understand what you can and cannot do with these products(but basically selling anything you produce using these products will be prohibited)

Commercial Use: Products labeled Commercial Use, will cost more. But the designer is allowing you to use their artwork for your own business ventures. Be sure to read the Terms of Use to understand the limitations, chances are there will be some.

(S4H) Scrap for Hire/(S4O) Scrap for Others: Terms used to define digital scrapbook artists who are hired to create digital scrapbook albums or pages for others.

(CT) Creative Team: Nearly every digital scrapbooking site has a CT. This team is given access to items {usually for free} in the store to create layouts and then post them to multiple galleries across the web to help promote the store and products. A lot of designers have CT teams as well to help promote their products. This is a great way to free and current products. I've done it, its awesome. You just have to be trustworthy.

Designer: The rockstars of the digital scrapbooking community. These are the folks who create all the innovative and gorgeous kits and embellishments for digital scrapbooking.

Paypal: Get a paypal account if you don't have one already. Nearly every digi-scrap site prefers this method of payment.