scrapbooking glossary a-z definitions of scrapbooking terms

A
AF/LF: Abbreviation for: acid-free/lignin-free
Acetate: A form of acidic plastic that causes photo’s, paper and documents to deteriorate and fade over time.
Acid: Acids weaken the cellulose in paper, which leads to its break down, causing discoloration and disintegration.
Acid Free: Materials that have a pH balance of 7.0 or higher. Many papers are considered acid free immediately after manufacture however unless they have been buffered, i.e. treated with a neutralising agent, chemical reactions with substances such as sizing or bleaching will cause the paper to become acidic over time. All plastic by its nature is acid free however some plastic is unsafe for use in photo albums.
Acid Migration: Acid migration occurs when something with acid is placed against an article that is acid free. Photographs mounted on acidic paper will weaken and crumble. Acidic memorabilia can be added to photo albums if encapsulated in polypropylene sleeves or placed on buffered card on a page underneath a protective sleeve.
Adhesives: The glue used to attach/secure photographs and other components onto a scrapbook page. Adhesive types include photo corners (clear plastic stick on style or paper "lick and stick" style) which are considered to be non permanent, photo tape, photo tabs, tape runner (all forms of double sided tape) which are considered permanent and photo safe.
Album: Blank book used to store scrapbooking photographs and scrapbook pages.
Alkaline: Alkaline substances have a pH over 7.0. They may be added to a material to neutralize acids or as an alkaline reserve or buffer for the purpose of counteracting acids that may form in the future. A buffer may be added during the manufacturing or during the process of deacidification. While a number of chemicals may be used as buffers, the most common are magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate.
Alpha Cellulose: The strongest and most stable of all plant fibres. Because of this stability it is used in permanent paper.
Altered Book: An altered book is an existing book that has been changed or altered using glue, paint, collage, rubber stamps, and scissors, tearing, or adding to. “It is an expression of one's self, a piece of art, an experiment or a conversation piece."
Analogous Colours: Colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel.
Archival: Term describing a product or technique used in preserving artifacts, photographs, memorabilia and other items.
Archival Quality: A non-technical term which suggests that a substance is permanent, durable and chemically stable. There is no guarantee that this is the case. It is safer to look for acid free and lignin free when purchasing scrapbooking components.
B
Basic Templates: Templates in basic shapes such as circles, squares, ovals.
Beads: Come in many different shapes and sizes and can be attached with glue, on wire, sewn on etc.
Blocking: When two materials stick together unintentionally. For instance, a photograph sticking to the back of the next page or photo album sleeve.
BOM: Abbreviation for: Book of Me, a book by Angie Pedersen about creating a scrapbook all about your life.
Bone Folder: A tool that's used to impress a fine line or crease onto a piece of paper or cardstock to make folding the paper much easier and provides a neater fold. Although called bone folders, they can also be made out of plastic
Border: The margins of a scrapbook page. Usually spoken of in terms of decoration.
Brads: Similar to typical offices split pins but are found in many different sizes, shapes and colours. Very commonly used for an embellishment.
Buffered: Products capable of maintaining the core of a solution. (Buffered paper prevents acid from moving from a photograph to a paper).
Button: Come in many different shapes, styles and colours. There are also many buttons that are made specifically for scrapbooking. They are thin, flat and can be attached with fibers, thread or glue.
C
Calligraphy: Formal, old fashioned lettering.
Cardstock: Sturdy paper, available in a variety of weights for scrapbooking.
CASE: Copy And Steal Everything: Means copying layouts. Also called Scraplifting.
Chalk: Not regular children's chalk, this is specially designed to be safe for Scrapbooking and used in similar paper arts.
Chalking: The art of using chalks to enhance your scrapbook pages.

Clip Art: Art purchased in book or software from that can be applied to scrap booking pages.
Collage: An artistic composition made of various materials (paper, cloth, wood) that are glued onto a surface.
Colour Wheel: Shows colour relationships and placement.
Coluzzle: A plastic tool used to guide the cutting of various shapes. You need to use a craft knife as the cutting instrument.
Corner-Edged Scissors: Scissors that cut corners. Each pair creates four different types of corners.
Corrugated Paper: Thick, wavy cardstock available in many colours.
Crop: A term used for a gathering of Scrapbookers to work on their albums, and page layouts...’A Crop’. Can also be a formally hosted event with an expert who shares techniques, products, and information with the group.
Crop/Cropping: To cut or trim a photograph... to highlight a certain area, or cut out unwanted activity, or simply changing the photograph's shape.
Cropper Hopper: A brand of carrying tote for all your scrapbooking materials etc.
D
Dauber: A round miniature stamp pad which can be dabbed onto a stamp to apply ink
Dauber Duo: A dauber applicator with a different colour or shade on each end.
Deacidification: This is a common term for a chemical treatment that removes acid in paper and lays down an alkaline buffer to counteract further acid attack. Deacidification technically refers only to the removal of acid present at the time of treatment, not to the addition of a buffer. Deacidification increases the chemical stability of paper but it does not restore strength or flexibility to brittle paper.
Deacidification Spray: Spray that neutralizes acid in newspaper clippings, certificates and other documents. (e.g. Archival Mist)
Decorative Ruler: A normal ruler with a special edge used in designing scrapbook pages.
Decorative Scissors: Scissors with a decorative pattern on the blade.
Degradation: Materials breaking down or changing appearance from the original state or appearance. Typically paper or photographs yellowing and becoming brittle.
Dry Brushing: Applying chalk or paint to a brush or sponge and removing most of it by wiping/dabbing it on a piece of paper or rag before using it. This prevents the paint from bleeding under the edges of a stencil, and chalk from looking to dark.
Dry Embossing/Debossing: To make a raised image by pushing the paper up using a stylus from the backside. Also called blind embossing.
Die-Cuts: Paper designs cut from die cut machines.
Double-Mount: To place a photo on two background papers.
E
Embellishment: Any scrapbooking supplies that enhance the pages. (e.g. Brads, Eyelets, Fibres, Charms etc)
Emboss: To create a raised design on paper, either by heating embossing powder laid on a stamped image, or by using a stylus to trace a brass embossing template
Embossing Ink: A glycerin based used for embossing.
Embossing Powder: Powder sprinkled, usually on stamped images, and heated to create raised edges.
Encapsulation: A method of displaying three-dimensional memorabilia and protecting nearby items from acid contained in the memorabilia. Items are encased in stable plastics.
Eyelet: A round (with a hole in the centre) metal embellishment added by punching a hole and hammering down the back.
F
Fiber/Fibre: A fancy thread used to decorate scrapbook pages.
Fine & Chisel: Pens A fine tip pen (0.5mm) and chisel tip (6.0mm) used for lettering.
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 lettering.
G
Gel-based Rollers: Pens with pigment ink.
General Pattern Paper: Paper with patterns, made to use for any occasion.
Gift Album: A compilation of photographs and mementos created with a person or event in mind.
Glassine: Translucent paper used to make envelopes or sleeves for storage of photo negatives or for decorative use.
H
Hand Tinting (Also photo tinting): A method of applying colour to a black and white photograph.
Handmade Paper: Paper made by hand that is often rough and uneven in texture. Sometimes there are flowers and leaves in the paper which can add a natural look to your scrapbook.
Handmade Scraps: Scrapbook supplies made from layered-looking die-cuts.
Heading: The caption or title that explains the theme of a layout.
Heat Gun: Also known as a thermal or embossing gun. A hobby tool that produces heat, but not air. It's used primarily to emboss.
Heritage: Traditions passed down from generation to generation.
Hermafix/Herma: A brand of dispensing tool for photo mounting squares.
Hinge Album: A plastic strap binding allows your albums to expand. These tend to lay flatter than the post bound albums.
I
Idea Books: Books usually about one aspect of scrapbooking. Some are written for particular scrapbooking themes (Wedding, Babies, etc.) while others are devoted to a particular scrapbook supplies product (Stickers, Die-cuts, Templates, etc).
J
Journaling: The words you write in your scrapbook. This can include captions, long descriptions, poems or stories.
Journaling Templates: Templates with space left for writing.
KMA: Abbreviation for: Keeping Memories Alive (product brand)
Lamination: Sealing a memory between translucent plastic pieces for the same reasons as encapsulation, but not as safe due to heat exposure and pressure.
Latex Pages: Usually found in magnetic albums. These will discolour pages in a very short period of time.
Layout: A page design or the grouping of scrapbooking pages that go together. A layout can be one page; two or some are even a panoramic 4 page spread.
Letter Templates: Plastic or metal templates in the shape of letters of the alphabet.
Light Box: A small light table used for embossing or viewing negatives.
Lightfast: Coloured material that resists fading even when exposed to natural or artificial light.
Lignin: A naturally occurring acid substance in wood that breaks down over time. Paper with lignin is not suitable for archival scrapbooking projects.
M
Magnetic Album: A photo album which uses a special adhesive to hold photographs in place and creates static for the plastic page cover to cling to. These are not suitable for scrapbooking.
MAMBI: Abbreviation for: Me and My Big Ideas (product brand)
Matte or Matting: A surface that has no glossy appearance or a lustred look/finish.
Matting: Matting is a technique that allows you to enhance your photos by adding a border around the outside edges. The border is, most often, made from an acid-free paper that looks almost like a frame. Matting is also a non-permanent way of cropping your pictures.
Master Family Album: Holds photographs of everyone in the family and family documents, typically in chronological order.
Memorabilia: Certificates, documents and other items that tell a story. Memorabilia can include souvenirs from trips and mementos from special occasions or historical events.
Memory or Keepsake Album: Another term for a scrapbook.
MM: Abbreviation for: Memory Makers Magazine OR Mustard Moon (product brand) OR Making Memories (product brand)
Monochromatic Colour Scheme: Employs different values of the same colour.
Mount: To adhere a photograph, embellishment or other item to another piece of paper.
Mounting Squares: A small square of double sided tape-like adhesive dispensed from boxes.
Mosaic: Technique in scrapbooking where you cut photos, paper, etc. into small shapes and then piece them together to create a mosaic look.
Mulberry Paper: This paper has long fibers that create a feathered look when torn. It's available in various textures, weights, and colours.
Muted Colors: Subdued tints or shades of colours that tend to be more suitable for backgrounds.
N
Neutral: A pH of 7.0. It is not acidic.
O
Oval Cutters: Paper trimmers that cut paper and photographs into ovals.
P
Page Protectors: Acid-free plastic sheets that display and protect pages.
Paper Piecing: Die cuts or punches put together to create an image for your scrapbook page.
Paper tearing: A technique in scrapbooking where you tear paper, rather than cutting it to create a unique texture.
Page Toppers: Hand-drawn illustrated phrases in bright colours meant to be used as titles at the top of pages.
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 Trimmer: Paper-cutting tool. Can be a rotary blade, or guillotine action.
Pattern Paper: Paper with designs repeated on the entire page.
PC: Abbreviation for: Provo Craft (product brand)
Perforated Punches: Shapes that the scrapbooker can use as embellishments on a page by punching out on the perforations.
Pergamano: A particular card crafting style that utilizes vellum and punches. Normally in pergamano, you apply colour only to the back side of the vellum. This creates a light and airy effect.
Permanent: Stands the test of time resisting chemical breakdown. Also can mean unmovable.
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 7 or above.
pH Testing Pen: A pen used to test the acidity of paper. The pen mark changes colours, 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 stick photographs to a page on the corners. Used to stick photos without applying adhesive directly to the photograph.
Photo Safe: Acid and lignin free.
PI: Abbreviation for: Pebbles Inc (product brand)
Pigma Pen: Pen with special pigment that is acid free and permanent.
Pocket Page: A scrapbook page with a built in pocket. Useful for holding memorabilia you may want to take out and look at like programs or other booklets.
Polypropylene, Polyethylene and Polyester: Stable plastics which are safe for photographs.
Post-Bound Albums: Scrapbooking albums that are held together with metal posts that run through the pages.
Power Punch: A great tool used with punches that saves your thumb from blisters. Also makes punching a lot easier with less effort.
Pre-Embossed Paper: Paper with a raised design. Some of it is thick, like cardstock, and some is vellum.
Product Swap: When scrapbookers swap/trade unwanted scrapbooking items.
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.
Q
Quickutz: A brand of portable personal die-cutting system. You buy letter or theme die cut templates, and the tool will cut them out for you.
Quilling: A technique where you roll strips of paper into various shapes.
R
Red-Eye Pen: Used to take red-eye out of photographs.
Repositionable: A type of adhesive that can be stuck on paper and pulled back up and re-stuck.
Reversible Adhesive: An adhesive that can be undone.
Roller Stamps: Stamps mounted on a wheel. Some have interchangeable pattern wheels, and others self inking.
Rubber Cement: An adhesive that is not safe for Scrapbooking.
Rubber Stamp: A detailed, intricate design cut out of rubber and mounted on wood or foam. A design is made by applying coloured ink to the rubber and imprinting on paper.
S
Scrapbooking: The creative art of displaying your photos and memorabilia. Can incorporate journaling, and embellishments. The primary purpose of scrapbooking is to preserve memories for future generations, but a secondary purpose often is to exercise your creativity as you display your memories in a scrapbook.
Scrap lift: To use an idea for part or whole of a page layout you’ve seen someone else use.
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.
Self Healing Mat: A mat that can be repeatedly cut and still retains its form.
SEI: Abbreviation for a US scrapbooking company.
Serendipity Squares: Squares made by creating a torn collage of scraps on a background paper, then cutting it into squares and mounting on complimentary cardstock.
Setter: A tool used in attaching eyelets.
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 colour with black added to it.
Shaker Box: A new trend (similar to a snow globe but without the water.) Use a die-cut and a piece cut out from a sheet protector. Seal in bits of confetti or small beads etc.
Shape Cutters: Tools designed to cut shapes (circles, ovals, stars, etc.). The scrapbooking cutters can be adjusted to create different sizes of these shapes.
Side Loading: Page protectors that slide over your album pages and are sealed at the top and bottom.
Sizzix: A brand of personal die cutting system.
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 Books: Albums that are secured with a metal or plastic spiral binding running up the side of the album.
Sticker: A decorative adhesive used to embellish a page. Ranging in size from a few centimeters across to a full page.
Sponging: The transfer of ink to paper using a small sponge (usually a cosmetic or craft sponge) in place of a brush. The ink 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, squeezed tightly while sponging, will produce a beautiful lacy effect.
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 colour.
Strap-Hinge Albums: Scrapbooking 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 tool (in the shape of a stick) with blunt, rounded ends used to deboss paper (also known as a burnisher or a dry embossing tool).
T
Tape Roller: Device that distributes tape on the back of photographs and scrapbooking pages. (Hermafix is a brand of tape roller.)
Template: A stencil used to trace shapes onto scrapbook pages or photos.
Top Loading: An album or sheet protector in which your scrapbook page slides into your book from the top.
Tote: A bag or hard case you carry or pull on wheels used to carry your scrapbooking supplies.
Theme: The overall idea or emphasis of a page/scrapbook.
V
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.
W
Walnut Ink: A photo safe ink that gives an aged effect to your embellishments.
Wax (or grease) Pencils: Soft pencils designed for use on photographs.
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 photos and pages to work on and get advice from an instructor.
X
X-acto Knife: A super sharp hobby tool with a #11 blade used to cut intricate details.
Xyron Machine: A machine that creates stickers by applying an adhesive to cut outs. Also makes magnets, or laminations without the hazards of lamination
Z
Zig: A brand of water-based marker.

Scrapbooking Pages - Glossary