Beginner Terms for Scrapbooking

New to scrapbooking? Here are a few terms you will often hear in the scrapbooking world...and a simple explanation for what they mean!!

Acid Free
Acid is a chemical present in most papers which allows them to break down more easily. Acid-free products have a PH of 7 or above and will be safe for use in your scrapbooks. Products containing acid can damage your photos, discolor or become brittle.

Adhesive
Tapes or glues used for adhering items to one another. Some are permanent and others are repositionable which means they are temporary fixatives that will allow you to remove and re-stick the items.

Balance
A design term used to mean an arrangement of elements so that each side of a layout “weighs” the same visually. Symmetrical Balance means both sides of the virtual line are mirror image. Asymmetrical Balance means both sides of the virtual line are balanced with weight but not exact shapes.

Crop
Verb – to trim your photos to improve composition
Noun – an event where scrapbookers gather to work together. Often referred to as the “quilting bee” of our generation.

Embellishments
Decorative items to be added to your layout. Can include: die-cuts, stickers, ribbon, fiber, metallic accents, buttons, eyelets, brads, ephemera, etc.

Ephemera
Memorabilia, especially that which reflects a particular time in history, fad or event. (ie ticket stubs, brochures, food or product wrappers, etc.)

Focal Point
Used to refer to the most important photo or thing on your layout.

Journaling
Thoughts, feelings, recollections, emotions, memories, quotes, song lyrics, poems, meaningful words or expressions, titles, one-liners, etc. Everything and anything you have to say about the event/memory you are scrapbooking.

Layout
A designed page for a scrapbook. Usually includes photos, design embellishments and journaling.

Mat
A layer of paper that “frames” a photo. Can be thick or thin.

Page Protector
Acid-free plastic sleeve to protect a scrapbook page.

Paper Trimmer
Tool used to trim and cut photos and paper for scrapbooks.

Repetition
Design principle meaning to repeat a color, subject or design element. Creates unity while adding visual interest.

Rule of Thirds
Design principle meaning to divide a space into thirds for a more eye-pleasing placement of elements.

Scrapbook

A memory album created using personal expression and artistic mediums to display photographs, memorabilia and journaling.

Visual Triangle
A design principle based on the fact that the human eye naturally wants to connect items on a page. Facilitate this by placing elements in a visual triangle that spans your layout and will move the viewer’s eye throughout the page.

Want to learn more??

Learn more about scrapbooking supplies and how to create your first scrapbook page. Get some great tips for the perfect Disney scrapbook!!