17 Essentials for Scrapbooking - MUST HAVES to Get You Started
Written by: Dalia Abdalla
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Time to read 17 min
Discover the ultimate guide to essentials for scrapbooking with our list of 17 must-have tools and materials. Whether you're a seasoned scrapbooker or just starting out, these key items, including a Die-Cutting Machine, Adhesive Runner, Cardstock, and more, will elevate your creative process and help you craft stunning, memorable pages. Dive into the world of scrapbooking and ensure you have everything you need to bring your vision to life.
Scrapbooking Essentials: Your Complete Guide to our Top 17 Must-Haves!
Below Are Our Top 17 Pick for Essentials For Scrapbooking
1. Die-Cutting Machine
Optional but useful for creating custom shapes. A die-cutting machine is the tool of choice for those who want to take their scrapbooking to the next level of creativity. While it's not a necessity, it's a powerful addition that allows you to craft unique shapes and intricate designs with precision. Whether you want to create custom embellishments or intricate borders, a die-cutting machine opens up a world of possibilities, making your scrapbook projects truly one-of-a-kind.
The Gemini is a game-changer for scrapbookers. It offers a vast array of benefits, such as effortless organization, creative flexibility, and time-saving convenience. With its intuitive features, it simplifies the process of collecting, arranging, and preserving memories. It also provides a wide range of customizable options, allowing scrapbookers to express their creativity in unique ways. Ultimately, it empowers them to create beautiful, meaningful scrapbooks with less effort and more joy.
Dimensions: 14 x 8 x 6.5 inches
Operation Mode: Automatic
Material Compatibility: Vinyl, Paper, Plastic, Metal
Special Features: Extra pressure, pause, and reverse options for precise cuts
Included Accessories: Clear Cutting Platform x 2, Metal Cutting Platform, Magnetic Shim, Plastic Shim, Rubber Embossing Mat, 1 x 3D Embossing Folder, 1 x Multi Media Metal Die, 3 x Papercraft Metal Dies
Suitable for: Scrapbooking, Card Making, Crafting
Weight: Approximately 19 pounds
2. Paper Trimmer
A precise tool for cutting paper and photos cleanly and accurately. The paper trimmer is one of the main essentials for scrapbooking as it is your go-to companion for achieving perfectly straight and even cuts. It's not just about tidiness; it's about creating a visually pleasing layout. With a paper trimmer, you can ensure your photos fit seamlessly onto your pages, edges align perfectly, and your designs look polished and professional. Say goodbye to uneven, jagged edges and hello to beautifully crafted pages.
The Amazon Basics Paper Trimmer with its 15-inch guillotine-style blade is a fantastic tool for scrapbookers. It's designed for precision, making it perfect for crafting beautiful layouts. The self-sharpening steel blade effortlessly cuts through materials like cardstock and photos, ensuring your scrapbooking projects are neat and accurate. Its durable plastic base has handy gridlines and rulers in both inches and centimeters for easy alignment. Plus, safety features like the guardrail and secure trimmer arm keep you worry-free as you work. In summary, this paper trimmer is a must-have for scrapbookers looking to elevate the quality and precision of their creative work.
Blade Length: 15 inches
Maximum Paper Capacity: 10 sheets of 20-pound paper
Additional Features: Guardrail to keep fingers safe, secure trimmer arm when not in use
Material: Durable plastic base with gridlines and ruler markings (inches and cm)
Dimensions: 23.5 x 13.5 x 2.5 inches
3. Adhesive Runner
To securely attach paper and embellishments without the mess of glue. An adhesive runner is a game-changer in scrapbooking. It offers the convenience of mess-free adhesion, ensuring your pages remain pristine and free from unsightly glue smudges or wrinkles. You'll appreciate the ease with which you can apply adhesive precisely where you want it, bonding papers, photos, and embellishments seamlessly. It's the key to making your creations look polished and neat.
The Double Sided Tape Roller for Crafts is a great choice for scrapbookers. It sticks photos and embellishments securely without messy glue. It's portable, making it easy to use anywhere. Plus, it's mess-free, ensuring clean crafting, and works on different materials like paper and cardboard, making it perfect for creating beautiful scrapbook pages hassle-free.
4. Cardstock
A sturdy paper for creating the base of your scrapbook pages. Cardstock is the unsung hero of scrapbooking. It provides the foundation for your layouts, offering durability and stability that regular paper can't match. When you use cardstock as your base, you can trust that your pages will withstand the test of time, staying flat and preserving your cherished memories without bending or warping.
This Neenah White Index Cardstock is an absolute must-have for scrapbookers. Its heavyweight 110 lb/199 gsm thickness provides the sturdiness needed for crafting, ensuring your scrapbook pages won't easily tear or wrinkle. The smooth texture offers a professional touch to your projects, making it perfect for adding documents, flyers, brochures, and even calligraphy. What's truly remarkable is that you get a whopping 300 sheets in a single ream, so you'll have an abundance of material to work with, allowing your creativity to flow freely. Moreover, the high-color reproduction and jam-free printing guarantee that your scrapbook designs will come to life with vivid detail and precision. This cardstock also pairs seamlessly with other Neenah products, allowing you to mix and match to create captivating and unique scrapbook layouts. Don't miss out on this versatile and reliable cardstock; it's an essential tool that will elevate your scrapbooking game to new heights.
Weight: 110 lb/199 gsm
Brightness: 94
Size: 8.5" x 11" (Letter size)
Quantity: 300 sheets per ream
Material: Paper
Color: White (110lb Index)
Item Weight: 7.96 pounds
Key Features:
Heavier than standard 65 lb. cardstock but lighter than 80 lb. coverstock.
Smooth texture for professional-looking projects.
Premium print performance with high-color reproduction and jam-free printing.
Lignin and acid-free to reduce yellowing over time.
Compatible with copiers, inkjet printers, and laser printers.
5. Patterned Paper
Patterned Paper made it to our list of essentials for scrapbooking as it adds color and design to your pages and backgrounds. Patterned paper is the artist's palette in scrapbooking. It's where you infuse your creativity and set the tone for your pages. Whether you're telling a story of adventure or celebrating a special occasion, patterned paper offers an array of colors, motifs, and themes to complement your narrative. It's your canvas, and with it, you can craft visually captivating backgrounds and eye-catching accents.
Matty's Crafting Joy Floral Grace 12x12 Double Sided Scrapbook Cardstock Paper Pad is a must-have for scrapbooking enthusiasts. This product features a stunning collection of floral-themed patterns, making it perfect for creating girly, spring, and floral-inspired albums and cards. With 24 double-sided 12x12 inch sheets, each showcasing 24 unique designs, it offers a wide range of creative possibilities. What makes it exceptional is its premium quality—it's acid and lignin-free and has a sturdy 170gsm/65lb cover, ensuring your creations look elegant and unique. Whether you're working on albums, journals, greeting cards, tags, or DIY projects, this pad sparks your creativity and adds a touch of beauty to your scrapbooking projects.
Material: Cardstock
Color Variants: Light pink, blush, green, white, peach, lavender, grey
Size: 12x12 inches
Item Weight: 430 grams
Pattern: Floral designs, leaves, and birds
Sheets: 24 double-sided sheets (two each of 12 different designs)
Paper Weight: 170gsm / 65lb (cover)
Acid and lignin-free: Yes
Ideal for: Scrapbooking, card making, albums, journals, greeting cards, tags, DIY boxes, mixed media projects, and more.
6. Craft Knife and Cutting Mat
The craft knife and cutting mat are your dynamic duo for precision cutting in the world of scrapbooking. The craft knife, equipped with a sharp, replaceable blade, allows you to make intricate cuts, trim photos, and create delicate paper art with utmost accuracy. The accompanying cutting mat serves as both a protective surface for your work area and a precise cutting guide. It not only ensures safety by preventing cuts to your tabletop but also extends the life of your craft knife blades. Together, these tools empower you to cut paper, cardstock, and other materials with finesse, making them indispensable for achieving detailed and professional-looking scrapbook layouts. Whether you're crafting custom shapes or executing intricate designs, the craft knife and cutting mat are your trusted allies in elevating the craftsmanship of your scrapbooking projects.
The Rotary Cutter Set is an excellent choice for craft enthusiasts, quilters, and DIY enthusiasts. This comprehensive kit offers outstanding value for its price, providing all the essential tools needed for precision cutting and crafting. The 45mm rotary cutter, equipped with safety features, ensures safe and efficient fabric and material cutting, suitable for both left and right-handed users. The set includes a self-healing A2 cutting mat, which not only protects your work surface but also extends the lifespan of the blades.
Contents: Includes a 45mm rotary cutter, 5 extra blades, A2 self-healing cutting mat, 4 x 18 inch quilting ruler, #11 craft knife, 10 replacement blades, and 20 sewing clips.
Rotary Cutter Features: Ergonomic design, safety button, suitable for both right and left-handed users, high-quality SKS-7 steel blades.
Self-Healing Cutting Mat: A2 size (22" x 16"), 3mm thickness, grid print on both sides (Imperial and Metric), protects tabletops.
Craft Knife: Slim, angled edge, comes with 10 replacement blades.
Quilting Ruler: Clear with pink marker lines, ideal for quilting, sewing, and crafting.
7. Photo Corners
A decorative way to hold photos in place without adhesive. Photo corners are like the elegant frames of your scrapbook. They offer a sophisticated and vintage touch to your pages while ensuring your photos stay secure. The beauty of photo corners is that they provide a non-permanent solution; you can easily rearrange or swap out pictures as your storytelling evolves, all while maintaining an exquisite presentation.
These photo corners offer a hassle-free way to secure your precious memories in your scrapbook, ensuring they stay in place without damaging your photos or the pages. Their acid-free composition guarantees the preservation of your photos over time, preventing yellowing or deterioration. The multicolor option adds a creative touch, allowing you to match or contrast with your scrapbook's theme. These photo corners are a convenient and essential tool for scrapbookers, helping them elegantly showcase their photos and keep their cherished memories intact.
Item Dimensions (LxWxH): 4.2 x 3.5 x 0.35 inches
Number of Pieces: 360 photo corners per pack
Product Dimensions: 4.2 inches in length x 3.5 inches in width
Acid-Free: Yes, these photo corners are acid-free and photo-safe.
Usage: They can be used in scrapbooks, memory books, picture frames, personal journals, diaries, and for photo wall decoration.
Application: Easy to use – just peel the photo corner off from the sheet and apply it directly to album pages, or slip it over the corner of a photo and position it on an album page.
8. Embellishments
Buttons, ribbons, stickers, and charms to add flair to your pages. Embellishments are the jewels of your scrapbook, transforming ordinary pages into captivating works of art. Whether you want to evoke nostalgia with vintage buttons, add a touch of elegance with ribbons, or inject whimsy with colorful stickers, embellishments elevate your layouts. They allow you to tailor your designs to suit your memories, making every page a unique reflection of your creativity and sentiment
You absolutely need these LakoArt Gold Foil Botanical Stickers with a clear background. They're a game-changer for your creative projects! With 240 stickers in various sizes and shapes, featuring mesmerizing gold holographic trim, these beauties will infuse your scrapbook pages, journals, and handmade cards with a touch of nature's elegance. The clear backing seamlessly blends with your chosen surface, ensuring a polished and cohesive look. Whether you're crafting for yourself or making heartfelt gifts, these stickers are a must-have. Elevate your creativity with a dash of natural beauty – you won't want to be without them!
Get Inspired! These Scrapbooker's Used their Embellishments to Create Beautiful Cards
9. Watercolor Pencils
For journaling, doodling, or adding captions. Pens and markers are your tools of expression in scrapbooking. They give you the power to capture your thoughts, tell your stories, and add personal touches to your pages. Use them for journaling heartfelt memories, doodling creative designs, or labeling photos with captions that encapsulate the essence of the moment. These versatile instruments make your scrapbooks more intimate and engaging.
Imagine elevating your scrapbooking projects to a whole new level of creativity and vibrancy. That's exactly what COOL BANK's 160 Watercolor Pencils can do for you. With a wide range of artist-quality, numbered colors at your fingertips, these pencils allow you to effortlessly blend, layer, and create stunning watercolor effects. The soft, break-resistant cores ensure smooth application, while the sturdy metal case keeps your colors neatly organized. Whether you're shading, sketching, or adding rich details, these watercolor pencils are your key to unlocking a world of artistic possibilities in your scrapbooking journey. Don't settle for ordinary – embrace the extraordinary with COOL BANK!
10. Ink Pads
Great for adding decorative elements and patterns. Stamps and ink pads are like magic wands in the world of scrapbooking. They allow you to conjure intricate designs, charming motifs, and captivating patterns with ease. From vintage flourishes to whimsical images, stamps bring a new dimension to your pages. With a variety of ink colors at your disposal, you can customize your layouts to suit any theme or mood.
With a vibrant palette of 40 bright and attractive colors, this ink pad set allows you to add a burst of creativity to your scrapbooking projects. The thickening sponge design ensures that each stamp holds an ample amount of ink, preventing drying out and ensuring consistent, vivid impressions. The water-based ink is easy to clean, eliminating worries about messy stains. The included independent packaging covers for each rubber stamp make organization a breeze. Whether you're crafting intricate designs, personalized cards, or adding artistic flair to your scrapbook pages, this versatile ink pad set is the perfect companion, making your scrapbooking endeavors more colorful, engaging, and enjoyable.
Color: 40 Different Colors
Package Dimensions: 9.25 x 6.65 x 4.33 inches
Item Weight: 1.85 pounds
Case measures approximately: 2.76*1.97 inches
11. Embossing Tools
Add texture and dimension to your pages. Embossing tools are your secret weapon for elevating your scrapbook pages from ordinary to extraordinary. They allow you to add texture and dimension, creating raised patterns and designs that beg to be touched. Whether you want to replicate the feel of intricate lace or add a tactile element to your pages, embossing tools give your layouts a sensory quality that makes them truly unique.
This product is a fantastic choice for scrapbookers because it's designed with you in mind. Its user-friendly interface makes photo organization and editing a breeze, and it offers a treasure trove of templates and customization options so you can let your creative juices flow and create one-of-a-kind layouts. Plus, it delivers top-notch printing quality, ensuring your scrapbook pages look polished and vibrant. Whether you're just starting or a seasoned scrapbooker, this product will simplify the process and help you turn your cherished memories into beautiful keepsakes.
12. Acid-Free Glue
Ensures your pages won't deteriorate over time. Acid-free glue is the guardian of your memories. By using this specialized adhesive, you safeguard your scrapbook against yellowing, discoloration, and deterioration over time. It's a small but critical investment in preserving the longevity and quality of your cherished memories, ensuring they remain as vibrant and meaningful as the day you created them.
The Scotch Glue Stick, .28 oz, 18-Pack, is an excellent choice for scrapbooking enthusiasts. Its strong, fast-bonding adhesive ensures that your photos, embellishments, and paper elements stay securely in place. Moreover, it is acid-free and non-toxic, making it safe for preserving precious memories without causing any damage or discoloration over time. The mess-free application and easy-to-use stick form factor make it a convenient tool for all your scrapbooking projects, ensuring a clean and hassle-free crafting experience.
Item Form: Stick
Material: Paper
Item Volume: 0.28 Fluid Ounces per stick
Quantity: 18 sticks in a pack
Special Feature: Strong adhesive
Non-Toxic: Yes
Acid-Free: Yes
13. Photo Sleeves or Protectors
Keep your photos safe from wear and tear. Photo sleeves and protectors are like armor for your cherished pictures. They shield your photos from fingerprints, dust, and potential damage while allowing you to enjoy them without worry. These protective coverings ensure that your precious memories stay in pristine condition for years to come, ready to be cherished and shared with future generations.
These 4x6 Adhesive Pocket Sleeves are a valuable addition to any scrapbooking toolkit. They offer a convenient way to store and display photographs, index cards, or other small mementos within your scrapbook pages. The self-adhesive backing ensures easy attachment to your chosen surface, while the clear vinyl material allows you to showcase your memories while keeping them protected from wear and tear. Whether you want to include special photos or labels to enhance your scrapbook's storytelling, these pocket sleeves provide a versatile and practical solution for creative scrapbooking projects.
14. Decorative Edge Scissors
Decorative edge scissors are like the artist's brushes of scrapbooking, adding a touch of creativity and flair to your projects. These specialty scissors come with various decorative blade edges that allow you to create beautifully scalloped, wavy, or intricate borders on your paper and photos. Decorative edge scissors offer a quick and easy way to infuse charm and personality into your scrapbook pages, making them visually appealing and unique.
These Hui Tong Pinking Shears with scalloped edges are an excellent choice for scrapbooking enthusiasts. Their sharp and precise cutting capabilities make it easy to create decorative edges on paper and cardstock, adding a unique and professional touch to your scrapbook pages. The scalloped design adds a charming and distinctive border to your paper crafts, enhancing the overall aesthetic of your scrapbook layouts. Additionally, these shears are durable and built to last, ensuring they'll be a valuable tool for your scrapbooking projects for a long time.
15. Journaling Cards
Pre-designed cards for adding personal stories. Journaling cards are the storytellers of your scrapbook. They offer designated spaces for you to pour your heart into words, capturing the emotions, anecdotes, and narratives behind your photos. These pre-designed cards provide structure and inspiration, making it easy to share your personal stories and reflections within the pages of your scrapbook.
This set of 192 Sheets of Vintage Scrapbook Paperis an excellent choice for scrapbooking enthusiasts. It offers a wide variety of design styles, including natural plants, celestial elements, old book pages, and more, providing endless creative possibilities for scrapbook layouts. The exquisite vintage texture of the paper adds an authentic and nostalgic feel to your projects, making them visually appealing and unique. With 192 sheets in different themes, this set ensures you have an abundance of creative options for your scrapbooking endeavors, making it a valuable addition to any scrapbooking supply collection.
Material: Paper Shape: Rectangular
Sheet Count: 192 Product Dimensions: 6.7"L x 4.7"W
16. Corner Rounder Punch
Gives your photos and paper a polished look. A corner rounder punch is like the finishing touch that adds a touch of sophistication to your scrapbook pages. It softens the edges of your photos and paper, providing a subtle but effective way to enhance the overall appearance of your layouts. The polished look achieved with this simple tool elevates the visual appeal of your creations.
The BearBoss 3 Corner Rounder Paper Punch is an excellent tool for scrapbooking enthusiasts. It offers three different corner cutting options (4mm, 7mm, and 10mm radius), allowing for versatile and creative designs in scrapbook layouts. The punch is made of high-quality materials, ensuring durability and precision in cutting. Its ease of use and compatibility with various paper types make it a valuable addition to any scrapbooking toolkit, helping crafters achieve professional-looking rounded corners for photos, cards, and paper crafts with ease.
Material: Plastic
Color: Blue
Hole Count: 1
Operation Mode: Manual
Corner Radius Options: 4mm, 7mm, 10mm
Compatibility: Suitable for regular paper, EVA foam, foil, craft paper, and materials with a thickness less than 2mm. Recommended paper weight is 70G-230g. If your paper is too thin, it's advised to use 2-3 layers to avoid getting the punch stuck.
17. Embellishment Storage Containers
These containers are essential for keeping your scrapbooking embellishments neatly organized and easily accessible. With compartments and dividers, they help categorize and protect buttons, ribbons, stickers, and charms. By ensuring your supplies remain in top condition and readily available, these containers streamline your creative process and keep your projects looking polished and professional.
The ArtBin 6830PC Store-In-Drawer Cabinet with 30 clear drawers is an excellent storage solution for scrapbooking enthusiasts. Its clear drawers allow for easy identification of small craft supplies like embellishments, buttons, and thread, making it a breeze to find the perfect materials for your scrapbooking projects. The stackable and wall-mountable design ensures efficient organization while saving space in your craft room. With this cabinet, you can keep your scrapbooking supplies neatly organized and readily accessible, making your creative process more enjoyable and efficient.
Product Dimensions: 6 inches (D) x 14.37 inches (W) x 6 inches (H)
Special Feature: Stackable
Number of Drawers: 30
Item Weight: 2.93 pounds
Item model number: 6830PC
What do you put in a scrapbook kit?
A scrapbook kit typically includes essential materials such as patterned and solid-colored paper, adhesive (like glue or double-sided tape), scissors, embellishments (stickers, ribbons, buttons), pens or markers, and of course, your photos. You can also include themed items based on your project, such as stamps, ink pads, or specific decorations.
What kind of book do you need for scrapbooking?
You can use various types of books for scrapbooking, but the most common choice is a scrapbook album. These come in different sizes and styles, such as post-bound, ring-bound, or strap-bound. The pages are usually made of archival-quality paper to preserve your memories. Choose one that suits your style and the size of your photos.
How do I start creative scrapbooking?
To begin creative scrapbooking, gather your photos, choose a theme or story to tell, and select materials that match your theme. Plan your layout, arrange your elements, and adhere them to the pages. Don't be afraid to experiment, mix patterns, and add personal touches to make your scrapbook unique.
What are the 3 main elements of a scrapbook?
The three main elements of a scrapbook are:
Photos: The focal point of your scrapbook, capturing memories.
Journaling: Written descriptions, stories, or captions that provide context and personalization.
Embellishments: Decorative items like stickers, ribbons, and other creative additions that enhance the visual appeal of your pages.
How do you layout a scrapbook?
Layouts in scrapbooking involve arranging photos, journaling, and embellishments on a page in a visually pleasing manner. There are various design principles you can follow, such as balance, contrast, and focal points. Experiment with different arrangements until you find one that suits your project.
What are the 3 most common types of scrapbooks?
Travel Scrapbooks: Documenting adventures and trips.
Family Scrapbooks: Celebrating family milestones and memories.
Themed Scrapbooks: Focusing on specific themes like weddings, holidays, or hobbies.
Dalia is the creative force behind Modern Pink Paper. With a keen eye for detail and a love for all things stationery, she embarked on this journey to provide personalized stationery solutions. When she's not crafting beautiful paper creations, Dalia is sharing her insights and inspirations on this blog, ensuring that her readers always have a touch of beauty and creativity in their lives.
