How to Make Scrapbook Background Pages

It seems that virtually everyone is scrapbooking today. Whether it is being used as a photo album, as a memory book, to track an event or for something else altogether, scrapbooks remain popular. The side benefit is they are also a lot of fun to make. However, purchasing pre-made scrapbook background pages can be expensive. Oftentimes, it also becomes difficult, if not impossible, to find the type and style of background page desired.One way around the frustration and expense attached to purchasing pre-made scrapbook pages is to hand make them at home. There are several ways to accomplish this. All it takes is a bit of time, some imagination, and a few inexpensive supplies.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Scrapbook
• Plain scrapbook pages (plain white and colored)
• Adhesive (appropriate to the materials being used)
• Computer system complete with scanner and color printer
• Stamps (plain and embossed)
• Stamp pads (in various colors)
• Embossing materials and inks
• Indelible ink pens
• Paints (that can be used on paper)
• Paint brushes
• Stencils (graphic and text)
• 3-D pre-made graphics and graphic representations
• Textured paper and other materials like wallpaper, wallpaper border, fabric, ribbon, lace, foil, mylar
• Stickers (graphic and text)
• Photographs that can be scanned in or used by photo businesses to make scrapbook pages (both color and black and white)

Making Initial Decisions About Scrapbook Pages

1. Decide what type, theme, size and number of scrapbook background pages are needed. Type refers to the kind of materials that will be used for each scrapbook page. Theme refers to the type of graphics, text, and colors to be used. Size refers to the size of each page. Number refers to how many pages will be made.

2. Determine what methods that will be used to make the scrapbook pages. While they can be easily made on a computer with the right kind of software, that isn’t the only method that can be used. It is also possible to make them by hand using any number of craft techniques. This decision will have major impact on the remaining steps below.

3. Purchase the supplies required to complete the pages as planned. Lay out everything that will be needed before beginning the project.

4. Lay out everything that will be needed before beginning to make the scrapbook background pages.

5. Design the scrapbook background pages using one of the techniques in the section below.

Making Scrapbook Background Pages

6. Design scrapbook background pages on a computer system. This will require hardware that can both scan in and print the size and weight of scrapbook pages needed. It will also require a desktop publishing program that can do the same. Use graphics found in the desktop publishing program, in other clip art programs, or that are scanned into the computer. Choose graphics that fit within the guidelines established in Step 1 above. Graphics can be used to accent the other items planned for the page, simply as a background for the items, or as a border around the items. Continue to adjust, move and work with the graphics until you are happy with the design.

7. Print the pages using special colors, weights, styles and sizes of paper as desired. Use specialty papers like parchment, linen, or other unique textures to give the background pages extra zip. Choose colors that fit with the overall theme of the scrapbook and the graphics chosen, as well as with the items planned for the individual scrapbook page

8. Create scrapbook background pages using stamps and stamp pads in either plain or embossed styling. Choose stamps that are in line with the overall theme of the scrapbook so that they can be used more than once. Add glitter or color to embossed designs with indelible ink pens or paints.

9. Stencil scrapbook background pages using stencils and indelible ink pens or paints. Choose stencils (both graphic and text) which are in line with the theme of the overall scrapbook so that they can be used more than once.

10. Design “slightly” three dimensional scrapbook background pages. Choose three dimensional paper, cardboard, plastic and/or foam graphics that are no more than 1/8” inch in thickness. The representations should be in line with the overall theme of the scrapbook so that they can be used more than once.

11. Overlay textured papers and other materials like wallpaper, wallpaper border, fabric, ribbon, lace, foil, mylar, or anything else desired onto a plain scrapbook page (white or colored) to create something new.

12. Develop scrapbook background pages using stickers with pre-made designs that fit the overall theme of the scrapbook. Then overlay the items for the page on top of the designed page as desired.

13. Print or have printed one or more photographs to serve as the backdrop for the scrapbook page. Use color or black and white and employ fading and/or texturing techniques to create a unique, one-of-a-kind page.

Tips & Warnings

• Think outside of the box and use non-traditional scrapbooking materials to create unique, one-of-a-kind scrapbook pages.
• Mix different techniques together to create unusual designs.
• Make scrapbook pages of varying sizes to lay them over plain pages (either in white or color).
• Keep dimensional items thin, at no more than 1/8" in depth.
• Use rubber gloves when working with indelible inks.
• Use a mask if paint fumes are noxious in nature.
• Take caution when using sharp scissors or a paper cutter.