Digital vs. Paper Scrapping

[beccasun]

I tried my first digital layout yesterday using the tutorial. It took forever using Adobe Photoshop Elements. Admittedly, I am just learning the Adobe as well as the digital processes. Is this normal to take so long? Does it get easier? I printed my digital 8x10, and I question if I like it as well as my paper layouts. It seems to lose the dimensional affect? What do you think? Why do you like digital scrapbooking better? I am still leaning towards the paper scrapbooking. I need some convincing to go digital.

[Stacey Jewell Stahl]

Becca, yes, getting started takes a long time. When I first started, I made myself do one new thing in each layout I did so I didn't feel like I had to learn everything in the first few layouts.

IT DOES GET EASIER!! Promise.

The dimensional effect you want to achieve is possible and admirable. In the tutorials section there is an article on "Hand Scrapped Authenticity." In the articles section there's "Digital Realism - the Shadow Knows." Between drop shadows and textures, those two things are the major issues of creating realistic digital pages.

Why I love digital is that I love to edit my photos, crop them, enlarge them, use them in funky ways with plug-in filters like Virtual Photographer. Plus I love paper-style digi scrapping and graphic-style digi scrapping and the freedom to choose.

[Emma]

nah, you don't need any convincing: if you like paper scrapping then learn digital as a way to enhance that. You can print up your photos on backgrounds, have nice text, then adhere ribbons and eyelets, some paper crafts, charms, whatever. Digital is a TOOL, not a replacement, for scrapping. Use it in any combination you desire, from 100% to 0% digital. The more you learn about digital, the more you can use it to create exactly the look you want. You can mix paper and digital media on the same layout, have totally digital pages in the same album as paper pages if you print the same size you scrap. And don't forget about all the wonderful things digital does that are solely digital, namely montage/blending. Digital does better text/titling, photo retouching, you can make your own background papers and print for paper scrapping, and all those stickers and textures they sell at scrapbook stores are practically free if you make them yourself or download and print them. I am always amazed in a paper store how MANY of the packaged elements are just digital printed items. Go into your favorite store and take a look with that perspective and get tons of ideas for things you can make yourself or download and reuse countless times using your computer. I did some hybrid pages with a paper scrapping friend of mine, they were stunning. She used digital photos and digital backgrounds and some digital elements and text, then printed 8x10, mounted on 8.5x11 cardstock, and added some fibers and brads and ribbons, some letter tiles, etc to them and they were gorgeous. She had never seen some of the layouts like we have here with all the foggy blending, painted textures, and was intrigued to learn how to do more of that for some completely digital pages in her albums, alongside her paper and hybrid layouts.

I will say this for digital: new paper scrappers and new digital scrappers all need practice. I've seen some pretty bad examples of both, and it seems just a few months later she'll suddenly rock, and I wonder, "Wow, when did that happen?!"

Keep it up! Let us know how it's going. I trashed most of my first layouts, they were ugly. I need to trash a few more, LOL! Look back at your paper books when you started and remind yourself there's a learning curve in everything. I personally think my digital pages are FAR better looking than my paper ones ever were.

[Sandersmr]

Emma made some really good points.

For me, I don't have a lot of room for scrapping supplies - with digital all I need are my laptop, printer and now external drive since I have so many photos and kits.

I can sit in front of the TV and scrap, chat and scrap, etc.

[beccasun]

Stacey and Emma,

Thank you so much for your replies. I went back to my first LO and added shadows. It is a definite improvement. I am getting quicker at the process already. I think I will use many of Emma's ideas to mix my media. I feel like a whole new world of opportunities just opened up for me. Thank you for the encouragement.

[Margie]

definitely keep going! many of us can do pages in just minutes. course, some of us prefer to spend days on one too! but as you learn, you do get faster and faster. and with the option of moving/changing anything, no need to stop and look through your supplies either! my pages usually take 5-20 minutes. after that, i get bored and move on! :)

[Emma]

oh, and don't forget, since you're an experience scrapper and already understand principles of design, color, composition, balance, clustering, etc, that you can and SHOULD use the premade graphics. For SOME reason there persists in digital this feeling that we should make stuff ourselves, but in paper scrapping you make almost NOTHING yourself. You have to buy every little doo dad that goes on that page. Use your welcome kit, raid the freebies, go shopping (digi kits here are the cheapest on the net, great quality, and you can reuse digital elements over and over, especially useful when doing a themed album), and get scrapping. 100% digital pages can be awesome, but give yourself permission to use what the experts create for us. Most of the problem with pages made from premade graphics are in arranging and combining the stuff, but you've overcome that hurdle in your paper scrapping already and can get down to business with beautiful digital supplies.

So mix the media, create all digital, keep at it, and you'll be an addict very soon! It will probably be a real struggle to drag out your paper supplies in a very short time from now. You'll have so much control over your paper pages, and can save a ton of money at the scrapbook store too!

[txmusicmom]

Becca-

Take a look at my gallery-
http://txmusicmom.digitalscrapbookplace.com
Look at my very first LO-the first one's are at the end- OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!

Hopefully I'm improving-:)

HINT--
1) Take Emma's class ( I haven't yet but it's on my list)
2) Have someone walk you thru the process- that's how I initially learned -- I
IMed with another scrapper and she walked me thru when I got stuck- also the chat room is available to meet someone and get a response-
3) I also have a great mentor who helps critique or shows me how to do what I'm trying to do
4) Scraplift a LO you like-- Just by trying to *copy* I find new skills.

Jump in with the newbies--I haven't been involved there but I'm sure there
is great support
There is also DET Boot Camp- where we have a challenge and then off constructive criticism......I always am learning......learning.......learning

Join in the challenges- I always LEARN and everyone is so kind and helpful-

Just hang on..........it's a fun ride!!!!

Welcome,

Donna-- a fellow- PSE scrapper

[shazzt]

I found PSE a big learning curve, not so much for the basics but for all the little things (like drop shadows) that make your pages look good. I too recommend Emma's class - I learned so much from it and found out about things that I never would have discovered by myself. I am pretty much an ex-paper scrapper these days - I am addicted to the ability to that digital gives to undo mistakes and especially resize, recrop and recolour my photos. I pretty much use all pre-made elements because I want to make pages, not elements (and why bother when someone else has done the work for me) and as Emma said, I used pre-made stuff in my paper scrapping days so I don't see a difference. And as for the finished product, I have shown my pages to paper scrapping friends who have reached out to touch them - they can't believe they are not "real". Keep persisting - it is so worth it - even if you just use it in combination with paper scrapping.

[AmandaFace]

Im tortured on this one.

By nature Im a hands on craft person, a graphic desinger second, and then a paper scrapbooker. But Ive decided to dabble in combining two things I love the most... graphic design and scrapbooking. I dont think Id ever completley switch entirely over, but I think Ill be enjoying having the choice of which way I would like to go with something.

As for pros and cons... digi scrapping obviously is sooo much cheaper than paper. And youre limited well, by pretty much noting once you get some things learned in your photo editing. Im a self taught photoshopper, and I say if you think youd be interested in it, play around and see what you can learn.

[d2vasquez]

I saw this thread and smiled. I paper scrapped for 7 years and then started looking for ways to improve my photos and stumbled onto digital scrapbooking. I will admit I approached it with caution because I felt it wasn't "authentic" per se. After struggling over my first layout - I saw what beauty I could create using a darn machine made of wire and circuit boards. I finally printed some of my layouts this week and love how they came out. I have also set aside some that I will go back and recreate paper style like Emma's friend does because I do miss the dimensional feel of a paper layout. I would not give up for anything in the world my computer or my paper supplies - each has a place in my books I am creating for my girls and family. But I won't lie - dh is rooting for me to go all digital so we can get back our formal dining room filled to the brim with all my paper supplies!!!! Have fun - you will find ways to incorporate everything you have done so far in scrapbooking in both mediums. Give yourself permission to do both and you will be much happier when you create a layout.

[meant2bemommie]

WOW! this thread was so inspiring and says things so right!!! It helped me a lot! DS was hard for me too and to think of it as a "tool" helps so much!!! Thank you girls!

[emdonovan]

I stumbled onto digital scrapping, and having 2 children is what eventually made me abandon paper scrapping. The hassle of hauling out the papers, pictures, scissors, markers, etc...and keep them out of it!...was too much. So I never scrapped. Suddenly, I had 2 years worth of pictures of the kids, and not a single one was in an album. That all changed with digital scrapping. I can use the laptop wherever, whenever - I take it camping with me and can scrap in the car on the way to the campsite. I sure couldn't do that with paperscrapping! At some point I may return to paper, or may do a hybrid, but right now, I'm all about the digital.

I also have PSE-3,and agree that the learning curve is pretty steep. I really recommend Emma's class and the tutorials here. Also, post questions when you have them, and read the questions others have posted. The people on the site are so helpful and always willing to help out. I have learned soooooo much from them.

[Starling]

I moved over to digital very early. So early that no one else was doing digital. I recently took a look at the paper album I did 6 or 7 years ago (it was a present to my daughter so I didn't see it for over 6 years). At least half of it was done semi-digitally.

Most of those pages were hybrids. The borders, frames, and sometimes the papers were all things I'd found online or had made myself. All of the photos were scanned. The originals were stuck down in one of those old magnetic albums, and I didn't have the guts to unstick them, so I took pictures of them instead and printed them out.

So, I never did the kind of paper scrapping people have done in the last 5 years, which was quite different from what I did back in ancient times.

I think all of our newbies need to feel free to do whatever they want to do with their albums. Almost all of you will want to work on your photos, even if you don't do anything else. One of the great things about the digital scrapping world is that there is no one right way.

[LokiZ]

I like Digital better because...

Less cost.
Less start up time.
Easier to stop in the middle and pickup where I left off later.
Easier to mass produce and share.
I don't run out of a particular supply once it is mine and have to run to the store to get it and or scrap at the store to ensure I have all I need.
Allows for both Realtime AND online scrapping sessions with friends.
Takes up less space so less for those not in the hobby to whine about.

Those are just a few of my reasons and it will get easier trust us! Trust us and Play play play! :D

[csgebhart]

It certainly does get easier. I think everyone's first layouts take a LONG time, I know mine did. I was very interested to read Emma's comments about digi scrappers thinking they needed to make everything themselves, because I thought that at first too. I also realized recently that I never made my own stuff in paper scrapping, so I've given myself permission to use mostly kits now, and I love it! I'm also amazed at how many wonderful freebies are available. I have certainly bought some things, but I have SO MANY freebies (mostly from here), and many of the kits I've bought were items of the week or other specials, so I have spent very little on digi scrapping (other than classes, and PSE4, and computer, etc.) LOL

I still consider myself very much a newbie, but I'm getting better and faster all the time. And I can't remember the last time I paper scrapped.

[Terri Gardiner]

I had just started a paper scrapping for my nieces and had bought stickers and such, also 2 12 x 12 albums. I then stumbled across ditital scrappin. I love it! I have only done three layouts and printed them in 8.5 x 11. I had used photos that were sent to me. Now, I am wondering--do I continue using paper scrapping since I have the materials bought? I know I'm going to continue with the digital. I really like the look! My husband suggested that I put my digital layouts into the 12 by 12 books with card stock behind. (since I have them bought) I'm not sure that wouldn't look tacky. Plus of course, that eliminates my stickers. I don't think store bought stickers would look good with the 8.5 x 11 digital. Would you suggest that I buy 8.5 x 11 albums for my digitals layouts? I'm also intrigued with 8x8's. I guess I view my layouts like looking at a magazine with full page photos. Would you advise me purchasing albums in the 8.5 x 11 size strictly for my digital layouts and then go ahead and paper scrap for my 12 x 12's? So in other words, I have 2 separate albums of my nieces?? I wouldn't think I would need 2 but maybe it would be a different look, the only thing is it's the same subject. Please advise!

[kindaScrappy]

I started out paper scrapping. Since I switched to digital I just put my layouts in the albums with the paper scrapped pages. But then I'm not that particular about maintaining a particular *look* or *style* to the albums. I say do whatever feels right for you. No rules here.

As for my paper supplies, I've kept most of them. My grandkids use them every now and then so I figure they'll eventually get used up. And I don't have as much of a paper stash as I used to. But I'm going to seriously go through the stickers and rubber stamps cause I just don't use them anymore at all.

[Emma]

I would scrap in the same size for paper and digital, and put them in the same album. They're all photos, no reason to separate them because of the method you scrapped! You can get 12x12 prints easily now, though I understand the allure of printing them at home rather than sending them out. I just really, really like that size and will eventually buy a large printer. The nice thing about combining digital and paper pages in the same album is you can also include your hybrid pages, like what your husband suggested. After mounting the smaller layouts on 12x12 cardstock, you can print a side bar of small photos or journaling to fill in the space, then adhere paper embellishments like ribbons, eyelets, fibers, metal, alphas, anythign you want. A great way to use your stash and print your digi layouts at home. For all digi, you can just send those out to the pros to print.

[Terri Gardiner]

Hi Emma! It's me again! You are just too cute! Your photo is darling! is that called an avatar? Not sure what that is??? I took your 160 class and loved it! I've got my 3 layouts and want them for a scrapbook. That's why I mentioned that I had printed them in 8.5 x 11. I am attracted to the 12 by 12s-I took my photo layouts to the local printing place--I told them exactly what i was doing and what I needed them for--would you beleive that they put them on card stock? I asked them to do one in 12 x 12 and it was blown up and distorted! I ended up throwing them away--certainly not what I wanted. My husband said that I can do alot better than that--which I did! He thinks that I will have control over the printing here. But I'm still intrigued with the 12 x 12's. They tried to tell me at the printing place that the distortion was due to being blown up--wouldn't that be true if I sent out for a 12 x 12 print, such as the site you mentioned?
Also, if I understand you correctly, I should go ahead and mount the 8.5 x 11 on the 12 x 12 cardstock--and do a sidebar of something on the same page to fill in the area--will that detract from the layout??

[Emma]

yes, the avatar is the little image next to the usernames. The images under the message are called a signature

If you scrap 8 1/2x11 and try to print a 12x12 you'll get distortion since the original layout is not square: it's a rectangle. If you want to print 12x12 you need to maket he original image dimensions 12x12

If you want to print at home and still make 12x12 layouts, then you print in portions and mount on cardstock. Take your regular size, like 8x10 or 8 1/2x11 if your printer can do borderless, and place on 12x12 cardstock. Slide it around and see what else or what other space needs something to fill it in. Use your paper supplies to augment the page, or print some more images or text, whatever. It'll be like columns in a magazine type of look. Some you can send out for 12x12 printing, some you can do like this, some can be most paper with printed digital photos and graphics adhered, etc. Be creative, really anything goes as long as you like the way it looks. It's YOUR scrapbook!

[Terri Gardiner]

Thanks Emma! If I were to download Word Art, then I would have to cut it like paper scrapping to add it to my layout, correct?

How do you use overlays? I would like to take another class in Feb. or March. What's a good one coming up?

[Emma]

if you want to print and use stuff for paper scrapping you'll have to get creative with paper, like printing on transparencies and vellum for overlay stuff. Fortunately the same graphics for digi scrapping work for paper srapping. Just go to a scrapbook store and look at all the stickers and faux textures that are just printed digital graphics: you can do that at home!

For the next class, I think either the creating elements for PSE DSU 261, or the composition or word art classes would be great for you. If you prefer the graphic layouts, then something like PSE Brushes DSU 270 would be a good choice as well (though we do paper-style stuff in that class, the element creation class is all paper)

[Terri Gardiner]

Where would I buy transparencies? Thanks a bunch Emma! I hope to take a class from You!

[Emma]

from the Office supply depot max place. Printer transparencies, not the ones for overhead projectors

make sur eyou print on the correct side, and let it dry thoroughly before handling. Allow yourself to screw some up while you learn, it's liberating and you'll learn more

[Amber]

I love all of the paper scrapping supplies but hate the bulkiness of it! It would drive me nuts to have lumpy pages! That is why I love digital! I can have all of the elements on my layout and have a perfectly flat layout and scrapbook!

Plus, I dont have room for all of the paper supplies and love the fact that with digital you can reuse your supplies!

[Meryl]

I never did paper scrap - still would be totally clueless! - but I have now looked at enough paper albums to know that I love digital pages, so so much more versatile in my book.
Has storage been mentioned? Where do these paper people keep all their supplies, and then their albums?

[Judyy]

Meryl, I just had to laugh at your term: "these paper people" LOL! But honestly, you hit on one reason I find digital so appealing: you don't have to store all that #$%^&* stuff. Or drag it all out every time you want to scrap, or put it all away again.

That said, I do still have one of those big rolling briefcases full of paper supplies that I probably should set free.

I've had someone ask me recently if I didn't miss the dimensionality of paper-scrapped pages. And I have to admit that do like the texture of paper scrapping, but I don't like it enough to want to DO it all the time. And speaking of time, have you noticed how involved people can get with just ONE paper-scrapped page? I watched a scrapbooking TV show a couple of times, to get ideas, and some of the pages they did would take all day! When do they go to work? Do the laundry? Walk the dog? Feed their families?

Don't get me started.:D

[Terri Gardiner]

Emma, Oh yippie, I bet that is fun! Feeding transpariencys through a printer! How do you adhere them to your cardstock???

[Emma]

adhesive is quite an art in paper scrapping. There are all sorts. Usually for vellum and transparencies there is a spray that won't show when you stick it down: think of contact paper.

[Terri Gardiner]

Emma, I'm assuming your are talking about a spray mount? For instance, word art transparancy, do you cut them out. I'm thinking about my side bar area on my 12 x 12's that you said to fill in. I downloaded some alpha blocks that I think would be really cute. What should I print them on? Try a transparancy?? Or basic card stock and cut out or photo finish paper?????