How to Start Scrapbooking: A Practical Guide for Beginners

Start With the Goal, Not the Shopping List

When you’re new to scrapbooking, it’s easy to feel like you need everything: fancy machines, endless paper collections, drawers full of embellishments, and a perfectly organized craft room. But scrapbooking doesn’t require a huge budget or a studio setup. What it does require is a smart, simple foundation—supplies that make creating pages easier, cleaner, and more durable over time.

A beginner-friendly supply kit should do three things:

1. Protect your photos and pages so they last.
2. Make assembly easy (cutting, sticking, writing).
3. Support your style without overwhelming you.

Below you’ll find a complete, practical breakdown of what you actually need, what you can skip for now, and how to build your stash in a way that feels fun (not stressful).

The “Must-Have” Core Supplies (The True Basics)

These are the supplies that let you create real scrapbook layouts immediately—without frustration.

1) An Album That Fits Your Life

Your album is your scrapbook’s “home,” so pick one that matches how you want to scrapbook.

Common sizes:

• 12×12: Classic scrapbook size; lots of creative space; great for full layouts.
• 8.5×11: Easier to store; less intimidating; works well for simple pages.
• 6×8 or 6×6: Great for mini albums, gifts, or quick projects.

Album styles:

• D-ring binder albums: Easy to add/remove pages and rearrange layouts.
• Post-bound albums: Sleek and sturdy, but less flexible once pages are in.

Beginner recommendation: A binder-style album is the easiest to start with because you can move pages around as you learn.

2) Page Protectors (Don’t Skip These)

Page protectors keep your layouts safe from:

• fingerprints and smudges
• dust and moisture
• paper rubbing and tearing over time

They also make flipping through your album feel smoother and more “finished.”

Tip: Make sure your protectors match your album size exactly (12×12 protectors for a 12×12 album, etc.).

3) Solid Cardstock (Your Foundation Paper)

Cardstock is the sturdy base that makes your page feel stable. It’s thicker than patterned paper and holds weight better (photos + embellishments + journaling).

Beginner tip: Start with a small set of neutral cardstock:

• white, cream, kraft, gray, black
  Then add colors later based on your favorite themes.

4) Patterned Paper (For Style and Storytelling)

Patterned paper is what gives a page mood and personality—florals for soft themes, maps for travel, bright prints for birthdays, and so on.

Start simple:

• Buy one paper pad that matches your theme (travel, baby, everyday, seasons).
• Choose coordinated packs so everything “goes together” without you having to overthink color matching.

5) Printed Photos (The Heart of the Page)

Scrapbooking starts when your photos leave your phone and become something you can hold.

Beginner photo tips:

• Print a mix of sizes (4×6, 3×4, 2×3) so you can vary layouts.
• Matte or luster finishes usually look great and reduce glare.
• Don’t wait for “perfect” photos—scrapbooking is about memories, not perfection.

How to Choose the Right Scrapbooking Supplies for Your Projects

6) Adhesives That Won’t Betray You

Adhesive is one of the most important (and most underestimated) parts of scrapbooking. A weak adhesive can peel, shift, or warp paper. A messy adhesive can ruin photos.

Your beginner adhesive trio:

• Tape runner: Fast, clean, great for paper + photos.
• Foam squares/dots: Adds dimension (little “pop” shadows).
• Glue dots: Perfect for heavier embellishments (buttons, chunky pieces).

Optional: Liquid glue can be helpful for tiny pieces, but it can wrinkle paper if overused. Start with dry adhesives first.

7) A Paper Trimmer (Your Best Friend)

If you buy only one “tool,” make it a paper trimmer. It makes your pages look cleaner instantly.

A trimmer helps you:

• crop photos neatly
• cut borders and mats evenly
• create straight panels without frustration

Beginner tip: Choose one with a clear grid and a ruler edge so you can measure easily.

8) Scissors (For Detail Work)

Even with a trimmer, you’ll need scissors for:

• curved cuts
• trimming small pieces
• fussy cutting shapes from patterned paper

Best choice: Small precision craft scissors with a fine tip.

9) Journaling Pens (Your Memory Keeper Tool)

Photos show what happened. Words explain why it mattered.

Choose pens that won’t smear or fade. Your writing becomes part of the memory, so it should last.

Beginner pen types:

• black fine-liners for everyday journaling
• a white gel pen for dark backgrounds
• one thicker pen for titles (optional)

10) A Simple Ruler (Yes, Really)

A ruler helps you align photos, space elements evenly, and create clean grid layouts. Clear acrylic rulers are especially useful because you can see through them.

“Nice-to-Have” Supplies That Make Scrapbooking Easier (But Aren’t Required)

Once you’ve made a few pages and know what you enjoy, these tools can level you up.

Corner Rounder

Rounding the corners of photos and mats can make layouts feel softer and more polished. It’s optional, but many scrapbookers love it.

Alphabet Stickers or Title Tools

Titles pull a layout together. Alphabet stickers are a quick way to create clean titles without fancy cutting machines.

Washi Tape

Washi tape is beginner-friendly because it’s:

• easy to use
• repositionable
• decorative without effort

It’s also great for quick accents and borders.

Stamps + Ink Pads

Stamps can add small decorative elements, dates, or patterns. Start with one versatile stamp set (like labels or simple icons) if you’re curious.

Photo-Safe and Archival: The Quality Detail That Matters

If you want your scrapbook to last for years (and you do), look for supplies labeled:

• acid-free
• lignin-free
• photo-safe
• archival quality

These labels reduce the risk of yellowing, fading, or damaging your photos over time.

Practical approach: You don’t need to panic about it, but when you’re choosing adhesives and paper, photo-safe options are worth it.

A Beginner’s “Minimal Kit” That Still Makes Beautiful Pages

If you want to start with the simplest setup possible, here’s a tight, practical kit:

• 1 album + page protectors
• 10–20 sheets of cardstock (mostly neutral)
• 1 patterned paper pad
• tape runner + foam dots
• paper trimmer + scissors
• 1 journaling pen

With that alone, you can create dozens of pages.

How to Choose Supplies Without Overbuying

One of the most common beginner mistakes is buying a lot of supplies before knowing your style. The solution: buy intentionally.

The “Theme First” Rule

Choose a theme you’ll actually scrapbook soon:

• vacation
• family weekends
• birthdays
• school memories
• a specific season

Then buy supplies that match that theme. This prevents random purchases that don’t work together.

The “One New Thing” Rule

When you want to expand your stash, add one new category at a time. For example:

• This month: a new paper pad
• Next month: a small set of letter stickers
• Next month: a stamp set

That keeps your collection useful, not chaotic.

Smart Budget Strategies (Scrapbooking Without Overspending)

Scrapbooking can be affordable if you approach it strategically.

Use What You Already Have

Before buying anything, look around:

• old greeting cards (great for cutouts)
• ribbon scraps
• twine or string
• leftover wrapping paper
• packaging paper (kraft paper can look amazing)

Buy Coordinated Paper Packs

Coordinated pads reduce waste because most sheets work together. That means you’ll actually use what you buy.

Watch for Sales and Clearance

Craft stores often discount:

• seasonal collections (after holidays)
• older paper lines
• sticker sheets and embellishments

Create Your Own Embellishments

You can make “embellishments” with:

• punched circles and hearts
• layered paper scraps
• simple tags cut from cardstock
• hand-drawn doodles and borders

Handmade embellishments also make your pages feel more personal.

Storage and Organization: Keep It Simple and Actually Useful

You don’t need a craft room to stay organized. You need a system that makes it easy to start crafting.

Beginner-Friendly Organization Options

• Portable tote or caddy: Great if you craft at the kitchen table.
• Accordion folder: Perfect for storing paper by theme.
• Zip pouches: Keep stickers, die-cuts, and small items sorted.
• Small drawer unit: Useful if you scrapbook weekly.

Organization Tip That Saves Time

Organize by how you think, not how a store organizes.

Examples:

• “Travel”
• “Birthdays”
• “Baby”
• “Everyday neutral”
• “Winter/Christmas”

When you sit down to scrapbook a trip, you can grab your “Travel” folder and start immediately.

A Practical Upgrade Path (What to Buy Next and When)

Once you’ve made 5–10 layouts, you’ll start noticing what you want more of. That’s the best moment to upgrade.

If You Love Clean, Minimal Layouts

Upgrade with:

• more neutral cardstock
• letter stickers
• label stickers
• a date stamp

If You Love Texture and Dimension

Upgrade with:

• foam tape
• layered chipboard pieces
• ribbon, fabric scraps
• buttons (lightweight ones work best)

If You Love Artsy/Mixed Media Looks

Upgrade with:

• stencils
• inks
• watercolors
• paint brushes
• texture paste (later)

If You Love Fast, Efficient Scrapbooking

Upgrade with:

• a better paper trimmer
• layout templates
• pre-made page kits
• journaling cards

This approach keeps your spending aligned with what you actually enjoy.

Common Supply Problems (And Easy Fixes)

“My paper wrinkles when I glue it.”

Likely cause: too much liquid glue.
Fix: use tape runner or thin adhesive strips for large areas.

“My photos peel off after a while.”

Likely cause: low-quality adhesive.
Fix: switch to a stronger tape runner or photo-safe adhesive.

“My pages look messy.”

Likely cause: too many competing patterns.
Fix: use one bold patterned paper + one solid cardstock to balance the page.

“I don’t know what to buy next.”

Fix: complete three more pages with what you have. You’ll naturally notice what’s missing.

A Simple Checklist for Your Next Craft Store Trip

If you want a quick list you can use as a shopping checklist, here’s a beginner-safe version:

Essentials:

• album + page protectors
• cardstock (neutral set)
• 1 patterned paper pad
• tape runner
• foam dots
• journaling pen
• paper trimmer (or scissors if needed)

Optional add-ons (choose 1–2, not all):

• alphabet stickers
• washi tape
• a small sticker sheet set
• journaling cards
• corner rounder

A Strong Beginner Reminder: Supplies Don’t Create the Scrapbook—You Do

It’s easy to believe that better supplies will automatically make better pages. But the most meaningful scrapbook pages aren’t the ones with the fanciest tools—they’re the ones that preserve real memories with real words.

Start with the basics. Build slowly. Choose supplies that match your stories. And keep your focus on what matters: capturing your life in a way you’ll be proud to revisit years from now.