Scrapbooking Cost

How Much Does Scrapbooking Cost?

Basic Supplies: $25-$150

Scrapbooking combines photos, memorabilia (such as ticket stubs) and text in an appealing package. Photo albums have been around for decades, but in scrapbooking the emphasis is on using acid-free materials in distinctive and creative layouts. The latest trend is to do everything with a computer, creating virtual pages and sharing them digitally.

Typical costs:

For $25 -$150 you can get basic supplies consisting of a photo album ($12 -$90), good quality straight-edge scissors ($5 -$15), adhesives ($2 -$15), plain and patterned photo-safe papers ($2 -$20), and a black pen ($4 -$10). Additional options include a paper trimmer ($10 -$70 and up), stickers ($1 -$10 a set), rubber stamps ($5 -$10 each), paper punches ($3 -$10 each), templates ($5 -$30) and more.
In computer scrapbooking, text, photographs and other images are arranged on a virtual page, to be shared online (printing on paper is optional). It's possible to do this using a common program such as Microsoft Word. Software programs designed specifically for scrapbooking run $10 -$70 and average around $20 -$40. Slightly more complex programs such as Adobe Photoshop Elements or Corel Photo Paint run $50 -$100. Some dedicated digital scrapbookers use professional photo-editing-and-graphics software such as Adobe Photoshop or JASC Paint Shop Pro, which retail for $100 -$600.
Free ideas for scrapbook sayings or quotes are available at ScrapSayings.com and Denny's Poems and Quotes. Themed kits of papers, stickers and other supplies are $2 -$20, depending on how much is included. Pre-made scrapbook kits with the materials to creatively preserve your photos from a wedding, birth or other special event average $20 -$40. Clubs that mail you themed kits on a regular basis can run $24 -$40 a month.
In-person scrapbooking classes offered by stores, senior centers, or recreation facilities can be $10 -$100, depending on length and materials provided. Learn-on-your-own-schedule computer classes (online or on CDs) run about $10 -$50. How-to books, videos and DVDs run $10 -$40. Weekend workshops, camps or retreats are $200 -$600 or more.

What should be included:

Individually-tailored scrapbooks can be given as gifts to highlight a special events such as a graduation, wedding or birthday, or created to preserve old photos and family memories that might otherwise be lost. Typically each page (as well as the entire album) follows a specific theme or idea, using color, position, balance and special embellishments (such as stickers or personal notes) to create an inviting overall look. CreativeScrapbooking.com gives a quick overview and ScrapSayings.com provides a list of scrapbooking resources.
Get inspired by the galleries of page layouts posted at Scrapjazz magazine, Scrapbook.com magazine and CreatingKeepsakes.com.
Digital scrapbooking requires basic computer literacy and software. Scrapbook-Bytes.com compares popular software programs based on learning curves, cost and flexibility.

Additional costs:

Scrapbooking materials that are photo-safe (acid- or lignin-free) usually cost more than standard paper supplies, but are higher quality and won't yellow or disintegrate over the years.
Many scrapbookers organize their supplies in drawers and other containers; setting up a permanent scrapbooking space can add $50 -$500 or more for a table/desk/armoire, plastic cart, paper racks, baskets, bins and related items.

Discounts:

Scrapbook.com magazines posts hobbyists' tips for scrapbooking on a budget.

Shopping for scrapbooking:

Many big-box discount stores carry scrapbooking supplies, as do craft stores. Scrapbooking.com Magazine provides a searchable list of scrapbook stores and ScrapbookFinds.com lets you search multiple online stores. One of the largest scrapbook companies is CreativeMemories, which hosts home-based scrapbooking parties.

Article updated August 2008