JustBeginning
Beginner's guide

So you're getting into scrapbooking

Scrapbooking has a dedicated ecosystem of gear — and most of it you don't need to start. An album, some cardstock, a trimmer, and a pack of embellishments will get you making real pages this weekend. The craft store will try to sell you a cart full of tools. Here's what actually matters, and what can wait until you've filled your first few spreads.

By Colin B. · Published May 24, 2026 · Last reviewed May 24, 2026
Two women look at photos at a table.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

The 60-second version

If you only buy 3 things to start:

  1. Fiskars 12-Inch SureCut Deluxe Paper Trimmer — The Fiskars 12-inch trimmer every scrapbooker owns. Clean cuts, reliable measurements, lasts for years.
  2. Tombow Mono Adhesive Tape Runner — Tombow's adhesive runner — acid-free, fast, and the community standard for a reason.
  3. Pioneer Photo Albums 12x12 Padded Scrapbook — Pioneer's 12×12 padded album with D-ring binder. The classic starter format with room to grow.
Budget total
$80
Typical total
$150
A complete starter kit — album, cardstock, trimmer, adhesive, and embellishments — runs $80–150. Tools last for years; paper and embellishments replenish as you use them.
At a glance

Our top pick in each category

The fastest path through this guide — each best-starter pick by category. Scroll for the budget and upgrade alternatives.

CategoryTop pickPriceWhere to buy
AlbumsPioneer Photo AlbumsPioneer Photo Albums 12x12 Padded Scrapbook$$ See on Amazon →
Cardstock & PaperAmerican CraftsAmerican Crafts 12x12 Cardstock Pack$ See on Amazon →
TrimmerFiskarsFiskars 12-Inch SureCut Deluxe Paper Trimmer$$ See on Amazon →
AdhesivesTombowTombow Mono Adhesive Tape Runner$ See on Amazon →
EmbellishmentsAmerican CraftsAmerican Crafts 2064 Piece Sticker Book$ See on Amazon →
StorageIRIS USAIRIS USA 12x12 Scrapbook Paper Storage Box$ See on Amazon →
Before you buy anything

A few things worth knowing first

Don't buy a Cricut yet. Machine cutting is powerful, but hand punches and a trimmer get you through your first 30 pages easily. Learn what layouts you enjoy before investing $200-300 in a cutting machine.

Choose your album format before buying paper. 12×12 is the industry standard with the most paper selection; 8.5×11 is smaller and easier to store. Every paper pack, page protector, and storage solution you buy should match this decision.

Acid-free matters more than it sounds. Standard craft glue and non-archival paper will yellow and degrade your photos over time. Spend $10 on a proper adhesive runner — it protects everything else on the page.

The gear

What you actually need

a book with a picture of a woman's face on it

Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

Albums

Your album format is your first and most important decision — paper packs, page protectors, and storage all follow it. The industry standard is 12×12 inches: the widest selection, the most tutorials, and the most room to tell a story. 8.5×11 works well if you prefer a smaller footprint. Both use a D-ring or three-ring binder so you can add pages freely. Avoid albums with sewn bindings — you'll run out of space before you've finished the first event.

Albums — what's the difference?

A few common shapes, each making a different trade.

12×12 Standard

The industry default. Widest paper and page-protector selection.

Page size
12×12 inches
Paper selection
Widest available

Best for Full storytelling layouts, events, travel albums — most tutorials target this size

Tradeoff Larger footprint on your shelf; needs more table space while you work

↓ See our pick
8.5×11 Standard

Smaller footprint. Works with letter-size supplies you may own.

Page size
8.5×11 inches
Paper selection
Good — letter-size packs fit

Best for Tighter spaces, everyday layouts, beginners unsure about the hobby

Tradeoff Fewer specialty paper packs; tutorials often assume 12×12

↓ See our pick
6×6 Mini

Portable and gift-friendly. Perfect for single-theme projects.

Page size
6×6 inches
Paper selection
Limited — cut down from larger packs

Best for Baby albums, travel, single-event gifts — fast projects with minimal supplies

Tradeoff Tiny page area limits storytelling; specialty packs are harder to find

Best starter
Pioneer Photo Albums

Pioneer Photo Albums 12x12 Padded Scrapbook

$$

Pioneer has been the most recommended scrapbook album brand in hobbyist communities for decades. The 12×12 padded album has a finished-looking cover, a sturdy D-ring binder, and enough capacity for a full event or theme. 12×12 is the format the whole industry builds for — paper packs, page protectors, and storage all target this size.

What we like

  • 12×12 D-ring binder holds 20-30 finished pages with room to expand
  • Padded cover looks finished before you've added a single decoration
  • Available in colors and patterns to match any album theme

What to know

  • Page protectors sold separately — budget $8-12 extra for a starter pack
  • D-ring can gap if overstuffed — keep pages under 30 per album
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Pioneer Photo Albums

Pioneer Photo Albums 8.5x11 Fabric Frame Scrapbook

$

Pioneer makes the 8.5×11 format too, and their fabric-frame 3-ring design is solid — a finished-looking cover, standard 3-ring binder for easy page adding, and a price that makes sense for a starter album. The smaller format stores on a regular bookshelf and works with letter-size supplies.

What we like

  • Standard 3-ring binder — add pages from any office or craft store
  • Smaller footprint stores on a regular bookshelf without a dedicated shelf

What to know

  • Fewer patterned-paper options at craft stores compared to 12×12
  • Smaller page means tighter layouts — fewer embellishments fit
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
We R Memory Keepers

We R Memory Keepers 12x12 D-Ring Scrapbook Album

$$$

We R Memory Keepers makes albums for serious hobbyists — their D-ring systems hold up to repeated page rearrangement and the cover hardware feels noticeably more premium. Worth the extra $15-20 once you're making multiple albums a year and want something that holds up to frequent handling.

What we like

  • Premium hardware holds up to years of adding and rearranging pages
  • Wide cover variety including linen and faux-leather finishes

What to know

  • Costs 2x as much as a Pioneer album — hard to justify on your first album
  • Premium weight makes the album noticeably heavier once full
See on Amazon →
white yellow blue and pink textile

Photo by Kristi Sneddon on Unsplash

Cardstock & Paper

Every page starts with a background sheet of heavyweight cardstock — 12×12, 65-80 lb, in a color that anchors the layout. Start with a pack of solid colors: solids are more versatile than patterned paper while you're learning, and they're easier to layer without clashing. One 60-sheet solid pack gets you through 15-20 pages. Add one patterned paper pad once you've made a few pages and know what style you're building toward.

Best starter
American Crafts

American Crafts 12x12 Cardstock Pack

$

American Crafts cardstock is the community standard — coordinated color palettes, consistent 65 lb weight that layers cleanly, and under $20 for 60 sheets. The solid-color packs come in a dozen palette themes, so pick one that fits the memories you're planning to scrapbook first.

What we like

  • 65 lb weight layers without buckling under adhesive or embellishments
  • Coordinated palettes mean every color in the pack works together
  • Under $20 for 60 sheets — enough to finish 15-20 complete pages

What to know

  • Solid only — you'll want patterned paper eventually for visual interest
  • Some palette packs include only 2-3 sheets of accent colors
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Recollections

Recollections 12x12 Cardstock Pad

$

Recollections (Michaels' house brand) costs half what American Crafts does and is perfectly adequate for your first layouts. Great for practicing cuts and compositions before committing your nicer paper to a finished page.

What we like

  • Half the price of branded cardstock — ideal for practice layouts
  • Available at Michaels stores for same-day pickup

What to know

  • Lighter weight — heavier embellishments can buckle the page
  • Color selection varies by store — online ordering is more reliable
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Simple Stories

Simple Stories Fresh Air 12x12 Collection Kit

$$

A coordinated patterned paper kit pulls a whole album together — the Fresh Air collection has neutral outdoor tones that work across travel, family, and everyday photos. Simple Stories pre-matches all the prints so every combination works. Buy a themed kit once you know your album's main subject.

What we like

  • Pre-coordinated prints mean every pattern in the pad works together
  • Patterns are photo-forward — they don't compete with the images

What to know

  • One design theme per pad — buy after you know your album subject
  • Some designs are one-sided only; check before purchasing
See on Amazon →
a person using a machine to cut a piece of paper

Photo by Immo Wegmann on Unsplash

Trimmer

A paper trimmer is the tool you'll use on every single page — cutting backgrounds, matting photos, trimming embellishments. Scissors leave ragged edges; a trimmer makes clean, straight cuts in one motion. Get a 12-inch model so you can cut a full 12×12 sheet in one pass. The Fiskars SureCut is the standard recommendation in every beginner community: accurate, sturdy, and the rails don't flex after years of use the way cheap plastic trimmers do.

Best starter
Fiskars

Fiskars 12-Inch SureCut Deluxe Paper Trimmer

$$

The Fiskars SureCut is the most recommended paper trimmer in scrapbooking communities, and for good reason — the measurements are accurate, the blade stays sharp, and the steel rails don't flex under pressure. Most serious scrapbookers still use this exact trimmer after a decade of regular use.

What we like

  • Self-sharpening blade stays accurate through years of heavy use
  • Steel rails don't flex — straight cuts even on thick double-sided cardstock
  • 12-inch capacity handles a full 12×12 sheet in one pass

What to know

  • Blade cartridge wears out — buy a spare at purchase
  • Heavier than compact trimmers — not the pick for on-the-go crafting
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Swingline

Swingline ClassicCut Lite Trimmer

$

Available at any office supply store for under $20 and gets the job done for occasional cutting. Plastic rails mean it won't handle heavy cardstock as cleanly as the Fiskars, but it's the right answer if you want to try trimming before committing to a better tool.

What we like

  • Under $20 and available at any office supply store for same-day pickup
  • Light and compact — easy to store when table space is limited

What to know

  • Plastic rails flex under pressure — measurements drift on long cuts
  • Struggles on heavy cardstock; multiple light passes needed
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Tonic Studios

Tonic Studios Guillotine Paper Trimmer

$$$

Professional guillotine action squares each sheet automatically, giving zero-drift cuts on even the heaviest cardstock. Serious scrapbookers upgrade here when consistent precision across hundreds of cuts matters more than price. Overkill for beginners — but the last trimmer you'll ever buy.

What we like

  • Guillotine action squares each sheet automatically — zero drift
  • Handles heavy chipboard and multiple sheet thicknesses without skip

What to know

  • High price ($60+) is overkill until you're making pages weekly
  • Bulkier than sliding-blade trimmers — needs a dedicated table spot
See on Amazon →
assorted-color office items on table

Photo by Jo Szczepanska on Unsplash

Adhesives

Adhesive is where beginners make the most expensive mistakes — standard glue sticks yellow over time, buckle cardstock, and peel photos away from pages. You need two things: an acid-free adhesive runner for mounting flat items, and foam squares for adding 3D dimension. Spend $15 here; it protects everything else on the page. The Tombow Mono adhesive runner is the community standard for good reason.

Best starter
Tombow

Tombow Mono Adhesive Tape Runner

$

The Tombow Mono is the single most-recommended adhesive in every scrapbooking community — acid-free, permanent, smooth-glide application, and it won't warp your cardstock or yellow over decades. The refillable version cuts long-term cost in half once you go through your first cartridge.

What we like

  • Acid-free formula won't yellow paper or photos over decades
  • Smooth glide covers large areas quickly without cardstock buckling
  • Refillable cartridge cuts long-term cost significantly

What to know

  • Permanent and removable versions look identical — read the label carefully
  • Slightly more expensive upfront than craft-store adhesive sticks
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Scotch

Scotch Quick-Dry Adhesive

$

Available at any office supply or drug store and acid-free enough for casual scrapbooking. Not as smooth as the Tombow, but gets the job done when you need adhesive today and can't wait for shipping.

What we like

  • Available at any office supply or drug store — no waiting for shipping
  • Acid-free formula safe for photos and long-term page storage

What to know

  • Disposable cartridge adds up faster than refillable options over time
  • Not as smooth as the Tombow — more likely to buckle thin paper
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Therm O Web

Therm O Web 3D Foam Squares Mixed Pack

$

Foam squares lift a photo, die cut, or title element 1/16-3/16 inch off the page, creating real shadow and depth that flat layouts can't replicate. Every scrapbooker uses them eventually, and the mixed-size packs cover most applications. A $6 pack goes a very long way.

What we like

  • Instantly adds visual depth to flat layouts — no skill required
  • Mixed-size packs handle photos, die cuts, and title elements

What to know

  • Not rated for heavy chipboard — use stronger 3D tape on thick pieces
  • Peel-and-stick backing is permanent — plan placement before committing
See on Amazon →
A tray contains a variety of colorful embellishments.

Photo by Daniel Romero on Unsplash

Embellishments

Embellishments are where scrapbooking gets creative — and where beginners overspend before they know their style. Start with one large premium sticker book (American Crafts makes the best-value ones) and a small washi tape assortment. That's enough to finish 10-15 pages. Once you've made your first layouts, you'll know whether you lean minimal or layered, and you can buy accordingly.

Best starter
American Crafts

American Crafts 2064 Piece Sticker Book

$

American Crafts premium sticker books pack 12+ coordinated sheets — alpha stickers, icons, puffy stickers, and accent elements — into one $15 notebook. More variety per dollar than individual packs, and the coordinated palette means everything works together from page one.

What we like

  • 12+ coordinated sheets of stickers, alphas, and icons in one purchase
  • Pre-matched palette means every element works with the others
  • Puffy stickers add texture without needing foam squares

What to know

  • Theme-specific — buy after you know your album subject, not before
  • Alpha sets have limited repeat letters — plan short captions
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Simple Stories

Simple Stories Carpe Diem Bloom Sticker Tablet

$

Simple Stories makes clean, readable sticker sets at budget prices — their alpha stickers and date labels are especially useful for captioning photos. A single book carries your first several layouts without the commitment of a full premium sticker collection.

What we like

  • Clean, readable designs that don't compete with your photos
  • Budget price makes it low-risk for testing whether stickers suit your style

What to know

  • Smaller set — may run short on a large layout-heavy album
  • Less variety than a full premium sticker book
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
LotFancy

LotFancy 30 Rolls Washi Tape Set

$

Washi tape borders photos, masks sections, creates pattern, and — unlike most adhesives — peels off cleanly when you change your mind. LotFancy's 30-roll assortment covers neutrals, patterns, and accent colors for under $15. Once you see how versatile it is, you'll use it on every page.

What we like

  • Repositionable until pressed down — the most forgiving embellishment there is
  • Works as border, mask, pattern, and photo anchor in one roll

What to know

  • Shiny finishes photograph with glare — matte washi works better for display
  • 30 rolls sounds like a lot until you find three favorites you always use
See on Amazon →

Storage

Paper stacks grow fast. Within a few months you'll have enough cardstock, patterned paper, and embellishments to need real organization. The scrapbooking community has settled on 12×12 flat-storage boxes for full sheets and stackable drawer units for tools and small embellishments. Buy storage before your second paper haul — sorting a pile after the fact takes twice as long.

Best starter
IRIS USA

IRIS USA 12x12 Scrapbook Paper Storage Box

$

The IRIS 12×12 paper storage box is the most recommended paper organization solution in scrapbooking communities. Holds 200+ sheets flat, latches securely, stacks with other IRIS units as your collection grows, and the snap-lock lid keeps dust and humidity out. Buy two — one for cardstock, one for patterned paper.

What we like

  • Holds 200+ sheets of 12×12 paper flat without warping or bending
  • Snap-lock lid keeps dust out and stacks cleanly with additional units

What to know

  • Not airtight — don't rely on it alone in damp or humid storage areas
  • Buy two minimum: one for cardstock, one for patterned paper
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Deflecto

Deflecto Desktop Stackable Cube Organizer

$

For tools and small embellishments — stamps, ink pads, punches, sticker books, washi tape — a multi-compartment desktop organizer beats individual bags and boxes. Deflecto's stackable cubes are clear (you can see everything at a glance), durable, and under $20. Stack two for a full small-parts system.

What we like

  • Clear compartments let you see every embellishment at a glance
  • Stackable design grows with your collection without taking more desk space

What to know

  • Too small for paper packs — supplements, not replaces, flat storage
  • Plastic edges can snag washi tape rolls — wrap tape before storing
See on Amazon →
Going deeper

Your first month of scrapbooking

The first page is the hardest. Here's what to expect — from choosing your format to finishing your first real spread — and why most beginners overcomplicate the start.

Read the guide →
Save your money

What you don't need yet

Beginners get pressured to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't help them play better. Here's what we'd skip on day one.

  • A Cricut or Silhouette cutting machine — Powerful eventually, but hand punches and scissors carry you through your first 30 pages. Learn what you enjoy first — machine cutting is a $200-300 decision that deserves a committed hobby.
  • A full stamp and ink pad collection — One neutral ink pad and two stamps are enough to start. Stamp collections grow fast and cost real money; wait until you've seen your style before buying into it.
  • Dozens of patterned paper packs — One or two coordinated packs teach you more than fifteen random ones. Constraint early on produces better layouts, not worse.
  • Fancy decorative trimmer blade cartridges — Scallop, wave, and deckle-edge blades are fun novelties. Straight cuts are all you'll use for your first year of layouts.
First week

Your first seven days

A short, real plan to get from gear-on-doorstep to actually playing.

  1. Decide on your page format — 12×12 for the widest selection, 8.5×11 for a smaller footprint. Every supply you buy follows this decision. · Action
  2. Order your album and matching page protectors together so you're not waiting on two separate deliveries. · Buy
  3. Order a 12-inch trimmer, a cardstock pack, and an adhesive runner — the three tools you'll use on every page. · Buy
  4. Print or gather 10-15 photos to work from before you start. Scrapbooking without photos to lay out is harder than it sounds — photos give you color cues and a sense of scale. · Action
  5. Watch one layout tutorial on YouTube before your first page — not to copy it, but to see how a finished page comes together. · Learn
  6. Make your first page — cut your cardstock to fit, mount one photo, add a title. Don't overthink it. Getting something on the page is the entire goal of week one. · Action
FAQ

Common questions

How much does scrapbooking cost to start?

A solid starter kit — 12×12 album, cardstock pack, trimmer, adhesive runner, and a sticker book — runs $80-150 depending on brand. Tools last for years; paper and embellishments are ongoing. The hobby scales from $10/month to unlimited, depending on your tastes.

Do I need a Cricut or cutting machine to scrapbook?

No. Cricut and Silhouette machines are excellent tools for serious crafters, but beginners get further faster with a good trimmer, hand punches, and simple embellishments. Learn the craft first — machine cutting is a decision for month six, not day one.

What's the difference between cardstock and patterned paper?

Cardstock is the solid-color, heavyweight background sheet every page is built on. Patterned paper has printed designs (florals, stripes, text) and is layered on top of or alongside cardstock. Start with cardstock; add patterned paper once you've built a few pages.

Should I print photos or work digitally?

Traditional scrapbooking uses printed photos — 4×6 or 5×7 prints from a photo lab or home printer. Digital (hybrid) scrapbooking uses the same techniques in software. Start traditional: it's tangible, forgiving, and teaches the composition skills digital scrapbooking requires anyway.

What does acid-free mean, and does it matter?

Acid-free paper and adhesives are chemically stable — they won't yellow, degrade, or transfer acids to your photos over time. For a scrapbook meant to last decades, it absolutely matters. Most scrapbooking-specific supplies are acid-free by default; avoid generic craft glue and newsprint.

What page size should I use?

12×12 is the industry standard — widest paper selection, most tutorials, most community templates. 8.5×11 is smaller, easier to store, and works well if you already own letter-size supplies. Pick one and commit — every supply purchase follows from that decision.

Going further

Where to next

Related hobbies

Browse by category

Authoritative sources

  • Scrapbook.com — The largest scrapbooking retailer online — also hosts hundreds of free tutorials, product reviews, and a large community forum. Good first stop for layout ideas and technique videos.
  • Two Peas in a Bucket — One of the oldest scrapbooking communities online. Forum threads and inspiration galleries spanning two decades — especially good for finding established layout styles.
  • r/Scrapbooking — Active subreddit with beginner help threads, layout sharing, and product recommendations from current hobbyists. Good for 'is this product worth it?' questions.
  • Jennifer McGuire Ink (YouTube) — One of the most-watched cardmaking and scrapbooking channels. Clear, patient instruction. Good for learning stamping and embellishment techniques.
  • Creative Memories — The oldest direct-sales scrapbooking brand — albums and products are well-made, and their site has beginner guides and layout templates worth browsing early on.
white photo album

Photo by Giovanna Karla on Unsplash

As an Amazon Associate, JustBeginning earns from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commission from other affiliate programs linked on this page. Editorial recommendations are independent — we don't choose products based on commission rates.