Digital scrapbooking

Marg's first layout

Digital scrapbooking is a catch-all term for when your computer gets involved in producing a scrapbook--at any level. It can mean anything from the simple act of using your word processing program for caption writing through to going all out: using a digital camera to take pictures, software to edit your photos and design your pages and posting your virtual scrapbook on the web or sending it away to have a hardbound book produced. The latter example can be rather overwhelming and sometimes the pages are so complicated they look like the work of a full-time graphic artist, but there are increasingly useful tools for the average folk who just want to get pictures on a page efficiently.

Hardware
Computer
Any computer you use will undoubtedly be adequate for producing text, but if you choose to buy image editing or scrapbooking software, you need to make sure your system meets the requirements for that program. Also, the more memory you have, the easier it is to manage digital images.

Printer
If you want to do your own printing, the quality of printer you own will partially determine what kind of product you produce. A black laser printer will limit you to text (titles and journaling) and some clip art, but with a decent colour inkjet printer you can do it all. When you purchase a printer, take into consideration the cost of the cartridges, new or re-filled, so you don't have to limit your output. Also, consider a printer that can accommodate 12" X 12" layouts (the HP 9650 handles 13" X 19" and retails around $450.00)

Scanner
A scanner isn't necessary, but it is a very handy thing to own and costs as little as $99.00. The HP 4670 scanner is unique in that it is a clear screen in a vertical stand so you can see what you are scanning, and you can take the scanner off the stand and hold it over anything, which makes it easy to do multiple scans on a large object such as a quilt or a painting.