| Even if you are a seasoned glue-and-paper | | | | "pre-made pages" or "pre-made layouts". Using them is |
| scrapbooker, digital scrapbooking can present you with | | | | as easy as following a few basic steps: |
| some unique ways to capture your special memories. | | | | 1. Once you find a site that has template you want, |
| Even if you don't consider yourself to be comptuer | | | | downlaod the file. Usually, this will be in a "png" file, and |
| savvy you can create digital scrapbooks, thanks to | | | | some will be "zipped." This just means that the files |
| free digital scrapbook templates. | | | | have been condensed to save file space and |
| Digital scrapbook templates can make compiling an | | | | download time. Unzip your downloads and save them |
| album easier on you because the scrapbooking paper, | | | | to a computer folder. (If you aren't familiar with zipped |
| titles, frames, embellishments or stickers are already in | | | | files, don't worry. Most template sites will walk you |
| place for you! You don't need to spend hours | | | | through this simple process." |
| searching for co-ordinating products and deciding on a | | | | 2. Open the software you will use with your digital |
| layout. All you need to do is add your photographs and | | | | template. There is no need to buy a specialized |
| some journaling or captions, and presto: a completed | | | | program to start -- MS Word will work just fine. |
| layout before you know it! Essentially, digital scrapbook | | | | 3. Scan the photos you want to use (or locate the |
| templates are like premade kits that take the | | | | digital photo files on your computer). |
| guesswork out of creating a complete, co-ordinated | | | | 4. Open the free digital scrapbook template that you |
| layout. | | | | want to use. Open your photo files, and add your |
| If you've never ventured into digitals scrapbooking, | | | | photos to the template page. Crop the photos if |
| using free digital scrapbook templates can be a good | | | | necessary to fit into the pre-determined opening. |
| place to start. You can get a feel for digital | | | | 5. You can always change the colors of the paper in |
| scrapbooking without having to spend a dime. If you | | | | the template if it doesn't match or complement the |
| enjoy it, you may want to move into more advanced | | | | photos you have chosen. Although every program is |
| digital scrapbooking programs that are available for | | | | different, there is definitely a "paintbrush" feature that |
| purchase. | | | | will allow you to alter the colors. |
| Often, free digital scrapbook templates are available | | | | 6. Add some journalling. Create a box on your layout |
| as samples, usually with themes that will appeal to a | | | | and record the memories associated with the photos. |
| large number of people. | | | | This an be as short as a caption or a lengthy |
| Common themes are wedding, baby, anniversary, | | | | paragraph. Whatever will help others understand why |
| seasonal (Christmas, fall, summer, beach). The sites | | | | you cherish the photos is what you should include in |
| that offer these free templates do so in the hopes | | | | your journalling. |
| that you will become hooked and will return to their site | | | | 7. When you are happy with your layout, choose the |
| to buy some of their materials. | | | | "flatten layers" option (again, this will vary by program) |
| What Are Digital Scrapbook Templates, anyway? | | | | and save the layout as a new file. Remember to print |
| In a nutshell, free digital scrapbook templates are nearly | | | | your layout on acid-free, archival quality paper so that |
| finished scrapbook pages, often referred to as | | | | your creation will be preserved for years to come. |