ABC Album – A scrapbook album in which layouts/pages are themed around each letter (or a word beginning with each letter) of the alphabet.
Acid-Free – Papers and materials free of acid at the time of their manufacture, with a pH ranging from 7.0 to 9.0. This term is used to describe scrapbook products that are “safe” to use with photographs and memorabilia. The acid scale ranges from 0-14 with 0 being very acidic, and 14 being very alkaline.
Acid Migration - The leaching of acid from one object to an object it is in contact with, i.e., bare hands to photos and paper.
Archival Quality - Materials which have undergone laboratory analysis to determine their acidic and buffered content is within safe levels.
Acrylic Paint – Water soluble paint made from pigments and a plastic binder; sometimes used with stamps instead of ink; sometimes applied directly to paper and other embellishments.
ADDY – abbreviation for: address (either snail or e-mail).
Adhesive-The general term for bonding agents that are used to affix one item to another. There are assorted types used in scrapbooking and paper crafts including glue stick, double-sided tape, spray adhesive, photo tabs, adhesive dots, etc.
AF/LF- Abbreviation for: acid-free/lignin-free.
Album – Blank book used to store photographs and scrapbook pages.
Alpha cellulose - The strongest and most stable of all plant fibres often used in permanent paper.
All About Me Pages – Albums Layouts or albums that address the theme of sharing personal information, memories, stories, etc.
Altered/Altering- Using scrapbooking/paper crafting techniques and supplies to collage, stamp, embellish, and otherwise altering a found item to reflect an artistic idea or narrative. Altered items often include books, CD’s, metal tins, paint buckets, and book covers.
Analogous Colors – Colors that are next to each other on the color wheel.
Aperture – The opening in a camera that lets in light. The aperture opens and closes when the shutter is released.
Archival – Term used to describe a product or technique used in preserving artifacts, photographs, memorabilia and other items.
Art Journal – A diary that chronicles the ideas, memories, and thoughts of an artist. Pages within an art journal include words, pictures and even embellishments.
Artist Trading Cards (ATC) – Tiny works of original art that are traded among artists. Cards usually measure approximately 2-1/2″ x 3-1/2″.
ASAP – Abbreviation for: as soon as possible.
Background Paper- The bottom-most layer of paper or card stock that is a scrapbook page/layout.
Basic Templates - Templates in basic shapes, such as circles, squares, ovals, etc.
Beading/Bead-work – Ornamentation and decoration with beads.
Blending Pencil – Tool used to blend colored pencils to create different shades of a color.
Bone Folder – A flat piece of bone or plastic, round at one end, pointed at the other; about the size of a letter-opener. Used for scoring and folding paper.
Borders – The outside edges of a page/layout that are specially decorated or in other ways made distinctive.
Brad Embellishment/accent – That is usually metal. The top often looks like a small nail head, but can be a variety of shapes and colors. Bendable metal prongs attached to the bottom of a brad are pushed through holes in paper (or other material) and then bent outward to secure the brad in place.
Brayer – A small rubber “rolling pin” used to flatten papers or clay, smooth surfaces, or apply paints or inks to surfaces.
Buffered – Word used to describe products capable of maintaining the core of a solution. For example, buffered paper prevents acid from moving from a photograph to paper.
Calligraphy – Formal, old-fashioned lettering.
Card-Making- Creating greeting cards by hand; a popular paper craft involving the use of materials and techniques also used in scrapbooking.
Card stock – Thick, sturdy paper available in a variety of weights.
Chalk/Chalking – Applying chalks to papers; shading, coloring, aging, highlighting, etc; sometimes used in conjunction with templates or stencils. Chalks are usually applied with cotton swaps, cotton balls, or make-up applicators, and are available in a large assortment of colors.
Circle Cutter/Oval Cutter – Paper trimmers that cut paper and photographs into circles and ovals.
Circle Journal (CJ) – A themed album that is passed throughout a group of people, each person completing a page/layout in the album before passing it to the next person.
CK - abbreviation for: Creating Keepsakes Magazine.
CK OK (Creating Keepsakes Okay)- Scrapbooking seal of approval. Items that have the CK OK are considered safe to use in scrapbooking.
Clean-Line Design- A scrapbooking “style” that emphasizes the simple, “less is more” approach to layout
design; generally involve straight-lines, geometric shapes, and very few, if any embellishments.
Clip Art – Art purchased in book or software form with pictures that can be applied to scrapbook pages.
Collage – An artistic composition made of various materials (paper, cloth, wood, etc.) that are glued onto a surface.
Color Blocking – The technique of using blocks of different, colored paper to create layout/page backgrounds.
Color Wheel – Shows color relationships and placement.
Complimentary Colors – Two colors that are opposite one another on the color wheel; a color scheme using two opposite colors on a layout or paper craft.
Computer Generated (CG) Layouts/Digital Layouts – Scrapbook pages that are created digitally using a computer.
Conventions- A variety of large shows and meetings sponsored by and for the scrapbooking and paper craft industry; retail, wholesale, and educational conventions held across the United States. Example: Creating Keepsakes University (CKU).
Corner-Edger Scissors – Scissors that cut corners. Each pair creates four different types of corners.
Corner-Rounder – A punch used to round the square corners of paper. There are also punches that cut corner edges into different shapes/designs.
Corrugated Paper- Thick, wavy card stock available in many colors.
Creative Lettering/Hand Lettering – The use of pens, markers, and/or colored pencils to create unique and decorative titles/words on layouts/pages/cards.
Crop- 1. To cut or trim a photograph. 2. A scrapbooking party hosted by an expert who shares techniques, products and information with the group.
Decorative Scissors – Scissors with a decorative pattern on the blade.
De-acidification Spray – Spray that neutralizes acid in newspaper clippings, certificates and other documents.
Decoupage – The technique of decorating a surface with cutouts, as of paper, or a creation produced by this technique.
Die-Cut Designs – Paper designs cut from die-cut machines. Paper is placed on the die and pressure is applied either by rolling or pressing down on the handle.
Digital Image – An image (such as a digital photograph or layout) composed of pixels or dots, the smallest units found on monitors.
DPI/PPI – (dots-per-inch/pixels-per-inch) Measures the resolution of a scanner, printer, or image; the more dots (or pixels) per inch, the sharper the image.
Double-Mount – To place a photograph on two background papers.
Dry-Brushing – The technique of applying chalk or paint to a dry brush or applicator and removing most of it by wiping/dabbing it on a piece of paper or rag before using it. This prevents paint from bleeding under the edges of a stencil, and chalk from looking to dark.
DW Stickers – Stickers that are designed by David Walker.
Dye-based Inks – Are water-based, washable inks and are permanent once they are stamped/applied on papers; for use on all types of papers. Dye-based inks stamp well, dry quickly and will dry on coated papers. Dye-base inks will fade with time, they are harder to use for embossing because they dry so fast, and they tend to bleed.
Embellishment- Any scrapbooking extra (stickers, die-cuts, punches, etc.) that enhance the pages.
Emboss – To create a raised surface by applying heat or pressure.
Embossing Gun/Heat Gun – A professional heat tool that directs hot air to a precise area; used for heat embossing. The forced heat melts embossing powder, creating a slightly raised surface on the design.
Embossing Powder- A fast melting powder that delivers rich colors and solid surface bonding (used in heat embossing); available in a large assortment of colors and granulation. It is sprinkled onto a wet, inked surface; the excess is shaken off, and the remaining powder is melted, creating a slightly raised design.
Encapsulation – A method of displaying three-dimensional memorabilia and protecting nearby items from acid contained in the memorabilia. Items are encased in stable plastics.
Ephemera – Mainly refers to printed matter of passing interest (like ticket-stubs, canceled stamps, playbills, vintage postcards, etc.) that is used on layouts, pages, paper crafts, and altered items.
Eyelet- A metal ring designed to reinforce a hole in fabric; in scrapbooking and paper crafts, eyelets are mainly used as embellishments. Eyelets are available in a wide assortment of colors and sizes. They are secured (set) in place using a tool called an ‘eyelet setter’.
Fibers - A fancy thread used to decorate scrapbook pages.
Film Speed – Refers to film’s sensitivity to light. Lower-speed films are less sensitive (use these on a bright, sunny day). Higher-speed films are more sensitive (use these in low-light situations).
Findings – Also known as “found objects” or “ephemera,” findings are items that an artist encounters (either accidentally or purposefully) and collects for use on layouts and paper crafts.
Fine and Chisel Pens – This pen has a fine tip (0.5 mm) and a chisel tip (6.0 mm). The fine tip is good for lettering and it’s extremely versatile.
Foam Stamps – Like rubber stamps but made of foam material; available in an assortment of designs, shapes, fonts, etc; generally acrylic paint is thinly applied to the stamp design, which is then pressed onto paper or another surface. Ink may also be used.
Focal Point – The element of a design where lines converge. The eye is naturally drawn to the focal point in an image.
Font- The style of a typeface; thousands of different fonts are available in word processing programs, on CD’s, and for download on the Internet. The creative use of fonts for journaling and titles can enliven and enhance scrapbook pages.
GASC – Abbreviation for: Great American Scrapbook Convention.
Gel-Based Rollers – Pens with pigment ink.
Genealogy – The study of the descent of a person, family or group from an ancestor. Many people who wish to create a family tree by researching their family’s genealogy.
General Pattern Paper – Paper with patterns (stripes, dots, plaids, etc.) that is made to be used for any occasion.
Gesso – An opaque, chalk-like base (painted on) used to prepare surfaces for painting, lettering, gilding,etc.; useful when altering items. Gift Album – A compilation of photographs and mementos created with a person or event in mind.
Gloss Finish – A lustrous, shiny, surface on photographs; can also describe the surface of some metals, papers, paints, etc.
Handmade Paper – Paper made by hand that is often rough and uneven in texture. There are flowers and leaves in the paper sometimes, which can add to the natural look.
Handmade Scaps – Embellishments made from layered-looking die-cuts.
Heading – The caption or title that explains the theme of a layout.
Heritage/Heritage Pages- Traditions passed down through a family from one generation to the next; a family’s legacy. Scrapbook layouts that contain photos, journaling, and/or memorabilia of this nature, are ‘heritage pages.
Idea Books- Books usually about one aspect of scrapbooking. Some are written for particular themes (weddings, babies, pets, etc.) while others are devoted to a particular product (stickers, die-cuts, templates, etc.).
Ink (Pigment) - Different from normal dye-based inks, pigment inks are thicker and fade resistant, with slower drying times. They are generally bright and vivid and work well on matte papers. Pigment Ink works well for heat embossing; must be embossed when applied to coated or glossy surfaces to prevent smearing or smudging.
Inking- The technique of using ink-pads to smear, stain, smudge, accent, and/or age papers (and other accents) with ink. Mainly, inking is done across and around the edges of papers and other objects, but sometimes the technique is used across an entire surface.
Ink-jet Printer- A popular tool of scrapbookers and paper crafters for printing photographs, clipart, journaling, and other images for use on layouts, etc. The inks are not always waterproof or suitable for archival pieces.
Intensity – The strength of a color based on how true it is to the primary color.
Journaling – Any words you write in your book or on the scrapbook page, from titles and captions to long descriptions, poems or stories.
Journaling Templates – Templates with space left for writing.
Lamination - A thin translucent coating put on paper–often with the assistance of heat. This is not considered an acceptable conservation method because of the heat and pressure used during application.
Layout- The grouping of pages in your scrapbook that go together. Some layouts fit on one page, most fit on two and some are put on panoramic layouts.
Letter Templates – Templates in the shape of letters of the alphabet.
Light-fastness - The speed at which a pigment or colored paper fades when exposed to sunlight, heat or other unfavorable conditions.
Light Refraction – Light bent through a prism that shows the colors of the visible light spectrum: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, Indigo and violet.
Lignin- A naturally occurring acid substance in wood that breaks down over time. Paper with lignin is not suitable for archival projects.
LSS- Acronym for Local Scrapbooking Store–used on Internet scrapbook websites/boards.
Masking – A technique used to get the effect of stamped images behind each other, in front of another, or coming out of or going into one another.
Mass-Merchandising Store – Stores that sell a large variety of products from sundries to automotive tools to craft supplies. Matte Finish Describes the surfaces of photos, paints, papers, etc. that are dull/not glossy.
Master Family Album – Holds photographs of everyone in the family and family documents, typically in chronological order.
Mat/Matting- Placing paper behind, or a border around a picture to serve as a frame or provide contrast between the picture and the background. Cutting a piece of background paper or card stock that’s slightly larger than a photo is one way to create a simple ph.
Memorabilia – Certificates, documents and other items that tell a story. Memorabilia can include souvenirs from trips and mementos from special occasions or historical events.
Metal Embossing Art – or process of creating a raised design in the surface of metal by hammering out or pressing thin metal from the reverse side.
Mica Shapes – Used in jewelry making, card making, and ornamentation of layouts and paper crafts. Mica is a mineral that can be separated into thin, flexible layers. It is a heat-resistant laminate available in varying thickness, colors, and levels of transparency.
Mini-Album – Small, usually handmade albums that contain fewer pages than typical albums. Generally mini-albums are dedicated to a certain theme, event, etc.
Monochromatic Color Scheme – Employs different values of the same color.
Mount – To adhere a photograph, embellishment or other item to another piece of paper.
Mulberry Paper/Kozo- The most common fiber used in Japanese paper-making, it comes from the mulberry tree. A long, tough fiber that produces strong, absorbent sheets; has the distinction of easily feathering edges when wet and torn; available in a huge range of colors in both lightweight and smooth and textured handmade styles, plus.
Muted Colors – Subdued tints or shades of colors that tend to be more suitable for backgrounds.
Neutral – Materials with a pH level of 7.0 — meaning they are neither acidic nor alkaline. (See also acid free.)
Neutral Colors – Black, white, silver, gray, and brown (and all their values); make good backgrounds, serve to unify diverse color palettes, and also often stand alone as the only or primary focus of a design. Neutral colors help to put the focus on other colors or serve to tone down colors that might otherwise be overpowering.
Oval Croppers/Cutters — Paper trimmers that cut paper and photographs into ovals.
Page Protectors – Plastic sheets that display and protect pages.
Page Toppers - Hand-drawn illustrated phrases in bright colors meant to be used as titles at the top of pages.
Page Exchange- Participants are invited to create a page to share with other scrapbookers. Often, a theme is given (Halloween, Christmas, etc.). Each participant brings enough copies of an original page to trade with the others.
Paint Chips – A sheet of color samples like those found in paint section of a hardware store; each paint chip/strip usually has from 3 to 6 color samples in one color family. Some paint chips have the color name and code number written on the front. Several manufacturers of scrapbook products also produce and sell paint chips.
Paint Pens- Pens with soft, brush-like tips. The amount of ink dispensed is controlled by the pressure that is applied to the tip. Paper Crafts A general term to describe the making of arts and crafts using paper as a main material. Paper crafting goes hand-in-hand with scrapbooking because both utilize many of the same tools, techniques, products, supplies, etc.
Paper Crimper – A tool used to corrugate paper or card stock.
Paper Piecing – The use of cut out shapes to produce a picture.
Paper Trimmers – Paper-cutting tools used by placing paper, lining it up on a grid and moving down a blade.
Pattern Paper – Paper with designs repeated on the entire page.
Perforated Punches- Shapes that the scrapbooker can use as embellishments on a page by punching out on the perforations.
Permanence – The degree to which paper resists deterioration or change to its properties over time. Permanence must also take into consideration storage and end-use conditions. Even a paper with a 4.0 acid pH will last indefinitely if stored under ideal conditions.
Personal Die-Cutting Systems – Created and sold by several different manufacturers, these systems allow for die-cutting “at home.” Dies are available in a wide variety of fonts and shapes.
pH Level- Measurement that tells a scrapbooker how acidic or basic something is. For scrapbooking, you want to use products with a pH level of seven or above.
pH Testing Pen – A pen used to test the acidity of paper. The pen mark changes colors, depending on the level of acid present.
Photo Activity Test (P.A.T.) – This test, created by the American National Standards Institute, determines if a product will damage photographs. If a product passes the P.A.T., it is safe to use with your photos.
Photo Corners- Paper with adhesive on the back used to adhere photographs to a page on the corners. Used to adhere photos in scrapbooks and photo albums without applying adhesive directly to the photograph.
Photo Mosaic – An arrangement of photos that are cropped.
Photo splits or tabs- Acid and lignin free double sided tape safe for photo–Considered permanent. They are generally dispensed in one centimetre lengths.
Photo Safe- A term used to indicate a product is safe for use with photos (in regards to scrapbooking preservation).
Photo Sleeve - A clear plastic pocket slipped over photographs for protection.
Pigma- A brand name of fade resistant, acid free and water proof ink used in pens manufactured by Sakura.
Pigmented - Another expression for “colored.”
Pockets – Created with paper, vellum, and even fabric, pockets are used on pages and cards to “hold” other elements like tags, photos, memorabilia, etc. Polymer Clay A malleable clay that can be hardened with baking; can be used to create embellishments, letter tiles, jewelry, and much more.
Polaroid or instant photos- A self contained photo that develops on its own. They tend to fade over time, and cropping or cutting the photos will cause harmful chemicals to seep out which can cause damage to scrapbook pages.
Polypropylene, Polyethylene and Polyester – Stable plastics that are safe for photographs.
Post-Bound Albums – Albums that are held together with metal posts that run through the pages.
Postoid- Faux postage stamp, often created with art stamps and collage techniques; not meant to be used in place of regular postage; they are an art form, sometimes collectible.
Pre-Embossed Paper–Paper with a raised design. Some of it is thick, like card stock, and some is vellum.
Product Swap- A scrapbookers’ swap meet where the host gathers up duplicates of products or tools that she/he doesn’t use anymore. The guests also bring their unwanted scrapbooking items to trade.
Published – Refers to having a scrapbook layout or other paper craft photographed and published in one of many magazines dedicated to paper arts. Usually, along with a picture of the project, a magazine will give the artist written credit for their design.
Punch – 1. A tool used to create small shapes. 2. the shapes created by the punches.
Puzzle Templates – Templates in puzzle shapes.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chlorides)- Because this substance is harmful to photographs, scrapbookers should avoid it and use products that are composed of polypropylene.
Quilling – a technique where you roll strips of paper into various shapes.
Rag board/Rag Paper - Board or paper made from material other than wood, like cotton, which is naturally lignin free, stable and durable.
Red-Eye Pen – Used to take red-eye out of flash photographs.
Repositionable adhesive - Adhesives (glues) which do not create a permanent bond until dry. This adhesive allows for the movement of objects without damage to the underlying surface. Once the adhesive dries, however, it then becomes permanent.
Reversible Adhesive – An adhesive that can be undone.
Rubber Stamp - detailed, intricate design cut out of rubber and mounted on wood or foam. A design is made by applying color to the rubber and imprinting on paper.
Rubber Stamp Carving – Using carving tools to carve your own design or a found design into stamp material such as soft vinyl.
Rub-on – Transfers art work, fonts, word art, and other designs that are made to be applied to surfaces (such as paper, wood, and metal) by “rubbing” them on; usually a tool such as a flat wooden stick is used to rub across the back of the transfer until the design has been.
Sanding – A technique for distressing/aging and roughing up the surface and/or edges of paper, stickers, photos, etc; when patterned paper is sanded, its surface color is removed, revealing the white paper underneath.
Scrapbook - A collection of memories including photographs and journaling, but this definition may include such things as newspaper clippings, certificates and other memorabilia. Also know as a Memory Book.
Scraplift – To copy another layout, with credit of course.
Scraplifting – Using someone else’s layout or craft design as a detailed pattern for one’s own creation; most designers appreciated being credited with inspiring someone else’s work.
Scrapper’s Block – When a scrapper has a creative block and is having trouble coming up with ideas.
Scroll and Brush Pens – Pens that have one tip for coloring and one for writing.
Secondary Colors – Colors created by blending primary colors. Orange, green and violet are the secondary colors created b mixing a combination of red, yellow and blue.
Shabby chic - a style of scrapbooking that includes sanding, crumpling, and distressing paper to give an old and worn look to your page.
Shade – A color with black added to it.
Shape Cutters – Tools designed to cut shapes (ovals, circles, squares, etc.). The cutters can be adjusted to create different sizes of these shapes.
Sheet protectors - Pockets made of (acid free) clear plastic used to slip over finished album pages. Come in top-loading or side-loading pockets. Note: polypropylene (vinyl) is not archival quality and should not be used.
Snail mail - to send something by surface or air mail as opposed to e-mail.
Specialty Paper Books- Books that contain information about different papers, both pattern paper and plain. Some may come with extras, such as templates.
Spiral-Bound Albums - Albums that are secured with a metal or plastic spiral binding running up the side of the album.
Spiral-Bound Books – Albums that are secured with a metal or plastic spiral binding running up the side of the album.
Sponging – The transfer of ink or paint to paper (or any flat surface) using a small sponge (usually a cosmetic, craft, or sea sponge) in place of a brush. The ink/paint is applied to the sponge and then the sponge is dabbed/tapped lightly onto a piece of paper leaving a series of small dots. A sponge with many holes.
Spray adhesive – Aerosol spray adhesives provide an even layer of glue that can cover large surfaces quickly. Sprays work well for adhering background papers or photo mats, and the dried adhesive won’t show through transparent papers, such as vellum. Use spray adhesives only in well-ventilated areas and away from flames; never let chill.
Strap hinge album - Uses straps, usually made of plastic, to allow pages to lie completely flat when the album is opened.
Stationery – Paper with a decorative border that is blank on the inside.
Stencil- A plastic pre-cut template used to trace and cut shapes. Usually used on paper and/or photos. They may also be used to apply paint/chalk to a surface in a contrasting color.
Sticker – An adhesive decorative accent ranging in size from a few centimeters across to a full page.
Stitching - To fasten or join with or as if with stitches.
Strap-Binding Albums – Albums secured with plastic straps that run through a holder directly on the pages and keep the book in place.
Stylus - A wood/plastic/metal stick with blunt, rounded ends used to deboss paper (also known as a burnisher or a dry embossing tool).
Submit/submitting – The process of sending in images of layouts and paper crafts to magazines, book publishers, companies, etc. in attempt to have them published or purchased for use.
Swap- Scrapbookers or paper crafters trading different supplies or finished projects with one another in an organized way.
Tape Roller- A device that distributes tape on the back of photographs and scrapbooking pages.
Template – A stencil used to trace shapes onto scrapbook pages or photographs.
Tertiary Colors – Also called intermediate colors, these are blends of primary and secondary colors. Colors such as red-orange and blue-green are tertiary colors.
Texture – The appearance and feel of a surface of fabric or paper; the characteristic appearance of a surface having a tactile quality.
Theme – The overall emphasis of a page or scrapbook.
Theme Album — A scrapbook devoted to one idea. Some popular them albums focus on birthdays, weddings and school days.
Three-ring Album – These familiar albums/binders have rings that snap apart for easy page insertion and removal
Time Capsule – A container holding historical records or objects that represent a culture and that is deposited for preservation.
Tint – A color that has had white mixed in.
Title Sheets- Pages with a variety of pre-made titles. They are often used as the starting point for a section in a scrapbook.
Tole Painting – Painting on wood, typically done in a rustic style and depicting country scenes.
Transparency – A clear film/sheet of material that has images, designs, word art, etc. printed onto its surface. When a transparency is laid over another surface, the bottom layer will show through wherever the transparency is clear.
Triad – A group of three colors that form a triangle on the color wheel.
Trimmer- A tool used for straight cropping of paper, cardstock and photographs. They come in guillotine, rotary and blade styles.
Unmounted Stamps - Rubber or vinyl stamps that are not mounted to any backing or block; most often sold in sheets.
Upload- To transfer (data or programs), usually from a peripheral computer or device to a central, often remote computer. This is the method used by scrapbookers and papercrafters to add their layouts and other digital images to online galleries and websites.
Vellum – A lightweight, translucent paper.
Velveteen – An archival paper with fabric-like, velvety texture.
Vivelle – An archival paper with fabric-like texture similar to a terry-cloth towel.
Watercolor- Colored pigment mixed with gum arabic binder. Usually transparent and water soluble after drying.
Wax (or grease) Pencils – Soft pencils designed for use on photographs.
Wheat Paste – Also known as wallpaper paste, it is the preferred archival adhesive of bookbinders.
Wide-Edge Scissors – Decorative-edge scissors that make a cut that is five times deeper than normal scissors.
Workshop- A class usually held at a scrapbooking store and taught by an expert. Participants bring photographs and pages to work on and get advice from the instructor.
X-acto Knife – A super sharp hobby tool with a razor edge.
Xyron Machine – A machine that applies adhesive to pages and can also laminate.
Resources: This information for this scrapbooking dictionary was gathered from books, magazines,
newspaper articles, Webster’s dictionary and friends. Thank you.
