Borders and Background Design for Scrapbooking

Scrapbook backgrounds and borders are a quick and easy way to jazz up a page quickly. Choose from pre-printed borders and backgrounds or you can create your own.

Backgrounds

Once you have selected your photos, the background to a page is an essential starting point for any layout. They will determine the theme of your page and can be designed to match your embellishments and images. You want the background to stand out on the page, but not so much that it overshadows the images which are, after all, the focus of your scrapbooking layout. Look at other designs for inspiration and use unusual papers, colours and textures to create stunning designs.

Ready Made

Ready printed papers are available to buy which come in many themes and colours. These tend to be the standard 12” square size or 8”. The printed background may be a simple blend of shades or it might have specific images printed on for example a baby page with baby motifs on it. On these you can then position your photos and build up a design. There are sets available which are almost done for you and are great for fast scrapbooking.

Make Your Own

But there are times when you want a special background and you can’t find a pre-printed onto suit. So don’t be afraid to make your own. There are endless choices in colours, textures, shapes and techniques you can use which will make a unique background. When starting to design your background look at the photos and pick up on the main colours and elements of the photos. Remember the background should compliment the photos and not fight with them! Computer generated backgrounds allow you to print the journalling text into the design if your handwriting is not too readable!

Borders

Just as with backgrounds there are pre-printed scrapbook borders or you can create your own.

Size

The border might go completely round the page, just the top and bottom, just the two sides or just down one side.

It can vary in size and this will be determined by the number of photos you have. A simple border for a scrapbook page can be made from a 2-3inch length of paper or card which might contain the title or embellishments.

Titles

Borders are an ideal way of highlighting a title to make it stand out on the page. The border can be matted with two or more complementary coloured cards. The title can be written on by hand, stamped or computer generated to suit.

Techniques

Sticker Borders

There are many bright sticker borders available to buy which create instant borders. They can be used as modules for creating pages and in conjunction with other techniques.

Punches

Border punches are good for making quick and simple designs along one edge. Punched shapes are an art form in themselves and can be layered to build up pretty designs.

Stamped Border

Rubber stamps are a versatile way of making a border design to suit the photos you are using.

Folded Borders

Cutting and folding paper in a linked design is a unique way of adding interest to a page without it distracting from the photos.