patterned paper
how to use them in your scrapbook pages

Patterned paper are aplenty and is available in a wide range of designs and themes. These are of definite help to all scrapbookers. Each design helps to enhance your scrapbook pages and make them come alive in any theme you choose.

What are Patterned Paper?

These are printed paper. Every piece of these scrapbooking paper is a joy to behold. It's no wonder that many scrapbookers will 'ooh" and "aah" over each piece and will hoard them with no definite idea how they're going to use them. Ask any scrapper, and you'll find that every one of them has a stack of these beautiful patterned paper in their possession.

When shopping for these scrapbooking paper, don't just look or ask for a certain color paper. For example when making a scrapbook page for your baby girl, you need a design that has the exact shade of pink to match the pink floral dress your baby girl is wearing in the photo. So bring the photo along when shopping for scrapbooking paper. If not, you'll surely be confused by the wide spectrum of pink colored paper on the store's shelf.

Various Kind of Patterned Paper

single-sided : single sided scrapbooking paper are cheaper as only one side is printed on.

double-sided : coordinating color on one side and a pattern or design on the other side. Buy two each so you can use them both on a scrapbook page without having to waste valuable time hunting for the right shade of paper or think of a coordinating color to go with it since this has already been planned for you.

paper weight : you can choose either light-weight or cardstock-weight patterned scrapbook paper for your scrapbooking projects. Light-weight papers are usually used for accents while cardstock-weight patterned papers are for your scrapbook page background in place of a solid-color cardstock. Heavyweight paper are also great for die-cutting shapes to embellish your pages. Many cardcrafters use scrapbooking paper like these for card making too.

paper finish : usually matte and semi-glossy and sometime glossy, foiled, embossed, metallic or glittered.

paper sizes : usually scrapbooking 12x12 paper but also in 8" x 8" sizes to fit into the 8 x 8 scrapbook albums which are becoming more popular because of its compact size. For the same reason, the 6" x 6" paper is also a favourite amongst scrapbookers as well as card makers.

click to read how to maximise usage of your 12x12 scrapbooking paper.

paper themes : these patterned paper come in a variety of themes. The most popular are Christmas, baby, and travel designs. Besides these, you will also be able to easily find Valentines, Birthday, and Wedding themed paper.

paper designs : each company has their own designers and every designer has his or her own artistic style. Some are cute and sweet while others are elegant, artistic, flamboyant, or romantic. Beside eash designer's style, other design aspects you will see are designs according to each historical period, season, country, color, age group or activity. Every manufacturer are constantly launching new collection of patterned paper just like in the fashion scene. Each collection has a theme or design and are aptly named accordingly; for example, Mod-Retro, Hippie Chic, Victorian, Borcade, Spring, Garden, Cooking, Belle Cafe, Saffron, Oriental and Downtown Loft to name a few.

paper uses : these lovely scrapbooking paper can be used for many things.

• Each element in the paper pattern can be cut out to embellish a scrapbook page.
• Cut stripe patterns for use on your scrapbooking page as borders.
• Some paper has the whole scrapbook layout done for you so all you need to do is place your photograph in the frame.
• Punch shapes to embellish your scrapbook pages.
• The paper is sturdy enough for you to make small boxes.
• Make into bags for small gifts.
• The paper designs are so beautiful that some scrappers framed and mount on wall for home decoration.
• To cover tin cans, wooden boxes, door hangers, etc.

There are so many ways you can use these lovely scrapbook papers. Just think out of the box and you find yourself stretching out for these paper to create beautiful stuff for your home.