Does digital scrapbooking save money over traditional?

[Belle5]

I have a lot of Creative Memories stuff I am using up. I was "into" scrapbooking 7+ years ago and am just now getting back into it in a big way. I do plan on using up every CM item I have invested in, but after that, I would like to know if I should change the direction I go and start with digital. Can you give me the pros and cons of each?

TIA!!!

Belle5

 

[rlovew]

Digital-
1. bigger begining outlay- need to buy a program but then you can use a lot of freebies and everything you buy you can use over and over again
2. need more computer storage space (for all you kits)- some people buy systems to keep things organized- it is easy to forget what you have and where it is when you have a lot
3. doesn't mess up the house (you do it all on the computer
4- printing 12 by 12 pictures is more expensive than smaller pictures (but if you are interested in 8by8 then their are many times codes for discounts on books
5- you don't actually feel the objects you are working with

Traditional
1- not as much of a start up cost but over time materials bought add up to a lot
2- need storage space for stuff and a system to organize it
3- you can touch things as you move them around and the feel of the texture translate onto your pages
4- you can use less expensive printing and order more photos with codes as they come out (I use artscow's free photos every month to do mine)
5- it is more transportable if you want to do it with others (at a crop)

Those are my takes on things. I am a traditional scrapper- although I have done a little bit with photo books. I scrap for the creativity and crafting of doing it and miss that when trying to do it on the computer- therefore I stay with traditional.

Rebecca

 

[jacksmomma]

Digital-
1. bigger begining outlay- need to buy a program but then you can use a lot of freebies and everything you buy you can use over and over again
2. need more computer storage space (for all you kits)- some people buy systems to keep things organized- it is easy to forget what you have and where it is when you have a lot
3. doesn't mess up the house (you do it all on the computer
4- printing 12 by 12 pictures is more expensive than smaller pictures (but if you are interested in 8by8 then their are many times codes for discounts on books
5- you don't actually feel the objects you are working with

Traditional
1- not as much of a start up cost but over time materials bought add up to a lot
2- need storage space for stuff and a system to organize it
3- you can touch things as you move them around and the feel of the texture translate onto your pages
4- you can use less expensive printing and order more photos with codes as they come out (I use artscow's free photos every month to do mine)
5- it is more transportable if you want to do it with others (at a crop)

Those are my takes on things. I am a traditional scrapper- although I have done a little bit with photo books. I scrap for the creativity and crafting of doing it and miss that when trying to do it on the computer- therefore I stay with traditional.

Rebecca

In addition, with traditional scrapping you can use found objects and mementos from your trip that you cannot with digital. Some scrappers do not like to do that, but I find that ticket stubs, receipts, buttons, etc. sometimes make the page.

 

[Belle5]

you can use less expensive printing and order more photos with codes as they come out (I use artscow's free photos every month to do mine)

I have never heard of artscow! I had 270 or so pics developed through Walmart (on-line/home delivery) today and the total with shipping was almost $40. Are you telling me that I could have had those developed with artscow for FREE? Please explain...

 

[PrincessNancy96]

If you look at the artscow site, they give new members free prints.
They also send email notices of new promotions.

ETA: they are based overseas, so it does take 7-10 business days (if not more depending upon what you order) to receive your order..

 

[Fran98765]

Digital really is cheaper. You do need a computer, but I am assuming you have one. Most people already have the software already lying around, so there isn't a program cost for many people, but you may not have a program. Paint Shop Pro is an excellent program to use and can be found for as low as 30 bucks.... Photoshop Elements is also popular, it's around 60 and the creme da la creme is Photoshop, but that is 500+ bucks. Other people use Microsoft graphics programs as well and frequently come free on computers. It used to be called Picture It and got changed to Digital Image Pro. If you go to the official websites for these programs, you can download a free 30 day trial, to see if you like digital scrapping.

You essentially need a graphics program that can handle layers, as each element is its own layer. Once you have that, a gazillion freebies can be found while you are learning. Then you can purchase kits if you like as well, they are usually around 5 bucks for papers and elements.

The major cost of digital is the printing obviously. I recently printed my entire 2008 yearly album (minus the Disney trips) in Photobooks and it cost me $47.94. To be honest, I rarely pay for scrap kits, I am on Creative Teams and that covers most of my needs, I do buy a kit now and then, but I don't pay more than $50 for the whole year of kits that I do buy. So my entire yearly album at most cost me 100 bucks, and I doubt any traditional scrapper can come near that amount. To be honest, I think I've spent closer to $20 this year, but I am not certain.

Digital scrappers can use memorabilia on their layouts as well. We also have options to do it too! You can scan in the item and use it digitally or leave a space for it and glue it on after it's printed, whichever you prefer. I have scanned in items myself and they look fantastic. I personally prefer the digital pages, they look so classy and when you get a photobook with a picture of your family on the cover, you just can't imagine the thrill! It's also less space then paper books... those are bulky and take up a lot of space due to thick elements. I print 8x8 books, as those are big enough, 12x12 seems way too huge to me, 8x8 is perfect! I LOVE THEM!!

 

[cobbler]

I kind of figured it was a wash quite honestly.

After you print out the pictures, buy the papers, the stickers, embellishments, adhesive, album covers, pages, protectors (since you have CM) and all that, I calculated it was pretty darn close to ordering a storybook from CM.

Now I used to be a CMC, have tons of stuff left over, but recently started trading other consultants for digital content (something you may want to try if you have a lot left over). I did this because I knew there was no way I was going to use it all. And I like digital a lot better.

Now I kind of do miss the crafting aspect of it, but the time and space savings of digital far outweighs that, that I don't really much care.

Digital, to me, has put a new life into scrapping. I love it. CM software is so easy to use (I bought photoshop elements and wanted to throw it out the window), I can knock out a few pages each night without having to drag out all my stuff, get it set up, take up all the space, put it away, and so on.

Plus you can personalize covers, something that costs extra through CM and that is if they still are accepting your album cover...

I bought an external hard drive for my packages so I do save space on my computer and now I can take my laptop and EHD with me when I go places and knock out some pages.

So all in all, I guess going traditional has some areas where it can be cheaper (like getting a really good deal on prints or paper), but for the most part I would say it's a wash.

Now as for the items like tickets and such that you can't scrap, I will miss that. BUT what I thought of doing is scanning those items into my computer and scrapping them that way. Yeah, you don't have a tangible item to touch, but it's just one of those cost/benefit things that you have to decide is really worth it.

To me it is because I know I can get albums done much faster and get the pictures out of my computer (I am back logged like crazy!)

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

I used artscow and I must say I was not happy with them. The quality is below standard. But again, free is always good!

 

[golden1023]

Well I am just starting the digital scrapbooking thing. And the reason I was drawn to it was because of the free stuff you can find!! Especially Disney!!

I use SBCP which is CM but I find you can get alot more stuff in kits when you don't use their stuff. Because they price everything out seperate (embellishments, etc.).

There are a lot of printing services other than CM that are cheaper and just as good.

The possibilities are endless with digital! Good luck!

 

[Fran98765]

I used artscow and I must say I was not happy with them. The quality is below standard. But again, free is always good!

They have recently gotten new printers for their photobooks and the books I got a month or two ago are absolutely gorgeous! They are excellent quality. The one I got a year or so ago, I agree, it wasn't good quality before, but they are now!

 

[binab]

I made the switch to digital about 18 months - ironically within weeks of finally finishing my dream "scraproom". I have definitely found that it is less expensive than traditional scrapping. When I do print my digi-pages, I pay $3 for two 6x6 copies and a 12x12. In embellishments, prints, etc, I am sure I spent more than that on paper supplies.

There are two main reasons why I truly love digi: I can make the photos whatever size I want on my pages and really focus in on the part of the photo that I want. You can do this with paper too, but I think it requires a lot more preparation. The other thing I like is that I can put tons of photos on a layout and it looks good. Most of my layouts have at least 15 pictures on them and I personally never could make that look right on paper.

I still do hybrid and smaller paper projects, but all my true scrapping is in digi now.

P.S. If you have school-aged kids in your home, you qualify for student discounts on tons of software - including Photoshop...