just getting interested in digital scrappin' and trying to learn the details about PSP...however, i am trying to decide if digital (vs paper) is worth it....both money wise and time wise in the long run. If you're paying $3-6/12x12 layout page for printing....or paying for that much ink in your home printer, is it still cost-effective? And more importantly, is it just as much fun as sitting, cutting and stamping, etc...? Can anyone give me their thoughts? I am learning the Adobe & PSP programs to edit photos...and trying to decide how far to go into it with scrapping... Love to hear your opinions...pros vs cons...etc...
thanks! CM

I did paper scrapping for a while then found digi-scrapping and love it! I'm not a creative person, so it's easier for me to experiment with layers in my graphics program than it is to cut and waste paper! I don't print every LO I make, but I find that if I use paper and ink made by the same company as my printer, it's a little more cost-efficient. I can't explain it or prove it, but my LO's done with HP paper and ink on my HP printer look better than the ones I did using Kodak paper. I've started keeping a printer log to see how many LOs I can get before replacing the ink cartridges. As far as fun, I have more fun experimenting with what PSCS can do than I do cutting and stamping.

But now the flip side of this: my SIL is a fantastic paper scrapper and a whiz at Photoshop. She prefers the hands-on feel of creating a page with actual 3D embellishments and different textures. She could very easily digi-scrap, but for her the process is as much to enjoy as the final product.

Either way, it's a great hobby!
Daisy

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Daisy

I still do paper scrapping, but I love digital because I'm WAY more productive! Since I started digiscrapping in November 2004, I have completed over 300 layouts! I am much more motivated because I love the process. I have spent more money since starting digiscrapping, to be honest, but that's because it is so much easier with digi to get coordinated elements to work with. Zip, they're downloaded, and I've got instant coordination, no having to run around trying to find things for my layouts at the LSS! I've also spent more money on magazines and idea books because they make sense to me now that I've got a process I enjoy.

There are certainly degrees of using the computer to aid your scrapbooking, you've just got to find what works for you. Even if you only use it to improve, enlarge, enhance photos or to create text, you're going to love having that tool. I agree with Daisy, make sure you use the ink and paper that goes with your printer if you do decide to print stuff yourself--you will be delighted with the results. Cheaper is not better in this case.

In the first issue of April Anderton's Digital Scrapbooking Magazine, she did a cost comparison for us on digi vs. traditional paper. A digital layout created with all your own elements (not purchased, but created) and printed at home (at 8x8 size, I believe) costs about $1.50 for photo paper and ink. A traditional paper layout she created cost her $5.75 (for photo processing--$1.50, background paper--$2.00, and embellishments--$2.25). A digital layout using purchased elements was $6.50 (photo paper and ink-- $1.50; background papers--$2.00; embellishments--$3.00), but she reminds us that our digital elements can be used over and over again, so the cost really decreases over time and useage. Plus, my goodness! There are so many FREE elements out there that even though I buy a lot of stuff, I've got double the inventory because of all the free stuff--so you may as well just divide what you spend in half! I did run an expense report in Quicken on ALL my scrapbooking expenses recently and figured out that my 300 layouts to date have run about $4.33 a piece, but honestly it's less, because I'm including the cost of magazines and memberships and idea books in that total, and not taking into consideration how much free stuff I'm amassing.

Just thought I'd throw my two cents in! I love this craft!

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~~Becky~~
If scraplifting were a crime, I'd be in jail.

I agree with Daisy, either way its a great hobby. My layouts tend to be simple and I find that I spend more digi scrapping because I want the latest software and plug-ins. I have found that I'm a lot more productive than paper scrapping. I do print out all of my layouts. I like if my friends/relative take one of my layouts, I can easily replace it (just upload to Costco). My former next door neighbor operated a scrapbook store in his home, he had once a month all night crops that I used to enjoy going to. I miss those monthly meetings, it was a nice way to meet a lot of our neighbors.

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Betty

For me it is worth it. I scrap 8x8 so it shouldn't be too expensive to print. And though I do buy some kits, there is so much free stuff out there that I can make layouts and only pay the cost of printing. From what I've seen (I've never paper scrapped) you can easily spend $$$$. I see stamps that really are only good for one or two uses (because how many times are you going to use the Autumn and the definition of it?) but cost $5. It can all add up so fast. I'm sure digiscrapping can too but I'm choosy with which kits I buy. And I can use my papers over and over, modifying etc and never run out. Plus for me, I don't have to deal with the space issues or mess of paper scrapping.

WAY worth it for me.

I do not print all of my layouts. I burn them onto a DVD and I use them as a video. Family and friends love to watch it and I can mail them easily to those far away. I use to paper scrap and to be honest I like digital better. It just depends on what your prefer. I love my computer and even before I start scrapping.

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Here's why I like digital scrapbooking (I've never been a paper scrapper, though):

1. I like being able to "undo" my cuts and other steps if I decide I don't like the look.
2. I like being able to recolor all of my backgrounds and elements.
3. I have all of my layouts published in albums by MyPublisher. I like being able to have as many albums as I'd like made but only have to make the layout once.

However, what I have saved in elements and notions and embellishments, I have more than made up for in purchases of an external hard drive, more RAM, more hard-drive space.

Kathryn

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Kathryn

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I also burn layouts onto dvds. I figure, you are still looking at them, why does it matter what medium you see them in? I also like being able to make multiple copies of layouts to send to grandparents espeically since my parents are far away and never get to see my kids. Also, if you wanted to make a special album, say for your kids first year or whatever purpose, you can buy one kit and use it sooooo many ways and on sooooo many pages and only spend like $5- $7 usually.
Yes, printing can get costly which is why I only print out very special albums or layouts to frame. Everything else goes onto the DVD.
And I too enjoy being able to recolor elements. I mean, you can mix and match things from different kits to your hearts content. I just LOVE digital scrapping.
I still do paper scrapping, but only when there is a party. That's when I drag out the supplies and make the mess at some one else's house. and I usually scrap dd1's pictures since I don't have any digitals of her as an infant/toddler.

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