These are some common words and terms you may hear while stamping, scrapbooking, junk journaling, and exploring other types of papercrafting. When you’re first getting started, there can be a lot of new words to learn—and it’s perfectly normal to have questions!
My goal is to help you understand the basics so you can feel more comfortable and confident as you learn. After all, crafting should be fun, not confusing!
If you come across a word or term you don’t recognize, send me an email! I’ll answer your question and add it to my website so other crafters can learn from it too.
Remember—if you’re wondering about it, chances are another crafter is too!
Happy crafting and learning!
Jo 💜
A
Acetate Sheets
Clear plastic sheets commonly used in papercrafting, especially when making shaker cards or creating windows on cards. Acetate can also be stamped on when using the appropriate permanent ink. In scrapbooking and junk journaling, it can be used to create overlays, pockets, dividers, or protective layers.
Acid-Free
Paper and other materials that have been manufactured to have a neutral or alkaline pH, helping them last longer without yellowing or becoming brittle.
When scrapbooking, acid-free products are especially important because acids found in some papers can contribute to the deterioration of photographs and other keepsakes over time.
Think about an old newspaper—it often turns yellow and brittle as it ages. This is partly due to the acids and lignin found in the paper.
Jo’s Tip: If you are creating something you hope to preserve for many years, look for products specifically labeled archival quality, acid-free, and ideally lignin-free.
Adhesives
There are many different types of adhesives used in papercrafting, and each one has a job it does best. Some of the most common include liquid glue, tape runners, Tear & Tape, dimensional adhesive, and repositionable adhesive.
Not sure which one to use? Check out my guide, Different Adhesives for Different Jobs, for a more detailed explanation.
Albums
Scrapbook albums come in several styles, but two common types are D-ring and post-bound albums.
A D-ring album works much like a three-ring binder, making it easy to add, remove, or rearrange pages. A post-bound album uses screw-style posts that hold the album together. The posts can be removed when you want to add additional pages.
Neither is necessarily better—it really comes down to personal preference and how you like to scrapbook!
Archival
The term archival is used for materials designed for long-term preservation. In papercrafting and scrapbooking, archival-quality products are especially useful when you’re working with treasured photographs, documents, or keepsakes you want to protect for future generations.
Archival papers are generally acid-free and lignin-free and are manufactured to resist deterioration, discoloration, and brittleness over time.
You may also see archival ink. These inks are designed for permanence and resistance to fading, although the exact properties can vary by manufacturer. They’re a great choice when incorporating stamping into scrapbook pages or other keepsake projects.
Think of “archival” as choosing your supplies with the future in mind! 💜
B
Belly Band
A belly band is a strip of paper or cardstock that wraps around a card, box, or other project to help keep it closed. Think of it as a belt for your project!
Belly bands are usually decorated and designed to slide on and off so the recipient can easily open the card or see what’s inside the box. They can also be used in junk journals to secure mementos, photos, tags, and other loose items.
Blending Tools
Blending tools are used to apply and blend color onto your papercrafting projects. They come in many forms, including blending brushes, sponges, sponge daubers, cotton swabs, and foam applicators with handles.
They’re wonderful for creating soft backgrounds, adding color around the edges of paper, coloring images, creating distressed effects, and applying ink through stencils.
Blending tools are most commonly used with inks and pastels, and you can control the intensity of the color by changing the amount of pressure you use.
Jo’s Tip: Start with a light hand—you can always add more color, but it’s much harder to take it away!
Block
A block is the holder used for mounting a stamp so you can easily ink and stamp the image.
Traditional wood-mounted rubber stamps are permanently attached to a wood block. Removable rubber and photopolymer stamps are temporarily attached to a clear acrylic block, allowing you to remove the stamp when you’re finished and reuse the block with another image.
Clear blocks also make it easier to see where you are placing your stamped image.
Want to learn more? Visit Different Stamps Explained for a more detailed look at the different types of stamps.
Bone Folder
A bone folder is a smooth, flat tool used to make crisp folds and sharp creases in cardstock and paper. It’s especially helpful when making cards, boxes, envelopes, and fun-fold projects.
As the name suggests, these tools were traditionally made from bone. Today, you’ll also find bone folders made from plastic, Teflon-style materials, and polished wood.
Jo’s Tip: Score your cardstock first, then use your bone folder to gently burnish the fold for a nice, professional-looking crease.
Brayer
A brayer is a rubber or silicone roller attached to a handle. It allows you to quickly and evenly apply ink or other mediums over a larger area.
Brayers can be used to ink large stamps, create colorful backgrounds, apply ink directly to paper, or add ink to an embossing folder before running it through your die cut machine. That last technique can create some really fun effects by highlighting either the raised or recessed areas of the embossed design.
Don’t be afraid to experiment—a brayer is one of those simple tools that can create lots of different effects! 💜
C
Cardstock
A papercrafter’s best friend! Cardstock is a heavier, sturdier paper used for card bases, scrapbook pages, die cuts, boxes, tags, and lots of other projects.
For card bases, you’ll generally want cardstock around 80–100 lb. cover weight, although weight and thickness can vary between manufacturers. Cardstock comes in a huge variety of colors, textures, finishes, weights, and sizes, with 8½” × 11″ and 12″ × 12″ being two of the most common sizes in papercrafting.
Cardstock can be the same color all the way through or have a white core, which becomes visible when the paper is torn, sanded, or distressed.
Jo’s Tip: Don’t throw away those scraps! Even small pieces of cardstock are perfect for sentiments, backgrounds, punched shapes, and little die cuts.
Clusters
A cluster is a small grouping of embellishments and decorative elements layered together to create one focal point on your project.
For example, you might layer a few flowers with leafy sprigs, add some crystals or gems, and finish with a sentiment stamped on a circle. Individually they’re separate elements, but together they create a beautiful cluster.
You’ll see clusters used frequently in scrapbooking and junk journaling, but they’re also a fun way to add interest to handmade cards.
Color Theory
Color theory is the study of how colors work together. Understanding a few basic color combinations can make choosing colors for your projects much easier—and that’s where the color wheel comes in!
You’ll learn terms such as primary, secondary, complementary, analogous, warm, and cool colors, along with how to use them when designing your projects.
Want to learn more? Visit my Guide to Color Theory for an easy introduction to choosing colors that work beautifully together.
Jo’s Tip: You don’t need to be an artist to understand color theory! A few simple basics can take the guesswork out of choosing colors.
Crop
A crop is a gathering where scrapbookers get together to work on their individual scrapbook pages and projects. Crops can range from a few friends crafting together for an afternoon to large, organized events or weekend retreats. They can even be held virtually!
But here’s where it gets a little confusing—the word crop has a second meaning in scrapbooking. To crop a photo simply means to trim or cut away part of the photograph to change its size, remove unwanted areas, or make it fit your scrapbook layout.
Same word—two completely different meanings! 💜
D
Decorative Papers
Decorative papers are generally thinner than cardstock and come in an almost endless variety of colors, patterns, textures, and finishes. You may also hear them called patterned paper, scrapbook paper, or Designer Series Paper.
They can be used for card layers, backgrounds, scrapbook pages, die cuts, paper piecing, boxes, envelopes, and more. Some are even double-sided, giving you twice the creative possibilities!
Jo’s Tip: Save those pretty scraps! Small pieces are perfect for punched shapes, die cuts, or adding a little pop of color to a project.
Die-Cutting Machine
A die-cutting machine is used with metal dies to cut shapes and designs from cardstock, decorative paper, and other compatible materials.
Machines can be manual, using a hand crank to roll the plates through the machine, or electric, which feeds the plates through for you.
Many die-cutting machines can also be used with embossing folders, and some machines or systems are compatible with hot foiling when the proper accessories are used.
Dies
These are thin metal tools with raised cutting edges that cut shapes from cardstock, decorative paper, and other compatible materials when run through a die-cutting machine.
Dies can be as simple as circles, squares, and basic shapes or as detailed as flowers, words, leaves, and intricate borders.
Some dies are designed to coordinate with a particular stamp set. Simply stamp your image and use the matching die to cut around it—no fussy cutting with scissors required!
Jo’s Tip: Don’t overlook the negative space left behind after die cutting. Sometimes it makes a great stencil or design element too!
Dimensionals / Pop Dots / Foam Squares
These are small pieces of foam with adhesive on both sides that are used to attach elements to your project while giving them a little height and dimension.
They are perfect for popping up sentiments, stamped images, die cuts, photos, and layers rather than adhering everything flat to the page.
You’ll find them in different shapes, sizes, and thicknesses depending on the manufacturer.
Jo’s Tip: Don’t waste the leftover edges around your foam sheets—cut them into smaller pieces and use them too!
Distressing
Distressing is a technique used to make paper, fabric, and other materials look aged, worn, weathered, or well-loved. It’s especially popular in scrapbooking and junk journaling but can also add wonderful texture and character to handmade cards.
There are lots of ways to distress a project. You can blend or sponge ink around the edges, tear or crumple paper, rough up the edges with scissors or a distressing tool, sand cardstock, or add stains and splatters. Tea and coffee are also sometimes used to create an aged or vintage appearance.
Brown and sepia-colored inks are popular for creating an antique look, but distressing doesn’t always have to mean brown—you can use almost any color depending on the effect you’re trying to create.
Remember, when you’re distressing, imperfect is exactly what you’re going for! 💜
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Embellishments
Embellishments are all those little extras you add to a project to give it personality, texture, sparkle, or dimension.
Think ribbon, lace, die cuts, stickers, rhinestones, gems, buttons, enamel dots, charms, sequins, and bows. Embellishments can be purely decorative or can help draw attention to a sentiment, photograph, or focal point.
You’ll find them used in card making, scrapbooking, and junk journaling.
Jo’s Tip: Embellishments are a bit like jewelry for your project—a little can go a long way!
Embossing
Embossing creates a raised design or texture, and in papercrafting you’ll commonly hear about two different techniques: dry embossing and heat embossing.
Dry embossing creates raised or recessed designs in paper without using heat. One of the easiest methods is placing cardstock inside an embossing folder and running it through a compatible die-cutting machine. You can also dry emboss by hand using a stencil, stylus, and light table.
Heat embossing uses embossing ink, embossing powder, and a special heat tool. Stamp your image with embossing ink, sprinkle embossing powder over the wet image, remove the excess, and heat it until the powder melts. The result is a beautiful, slightly raised finish that can be shiny, metallic, glittery, or even matte, depending on the embossing powder you choose.
If you’ve ever received a fancy invitation with beautiful raised lettering, you may have seen a similar effect.
Jo’s Tip: Watching embossing powder melt for the first time feels a little like magic—and it never really gets old! ✨
Ephemera
Traditionally, ephemera refers to everyday paper items that weren’t originally intended to be saved, such as tickets, postcards, receipts, labels, maps, advertisements, and used postage stamps. Today, the term is used more broadly in scrapbooking and junk journaling for all kinds of interesting little pieces added to a project.
Vintage papers, playing cards, tags, tickets, postcards, labels, pressed leaves, feathers, patches, and other small keepsakes can all become part of a junk journal.
You can use authentic collected ephemera or purchase packages of newly made, pre-cut pieces designed to give you that same fun, collected look.
Think of ephemera as little bits and pieces that help tell a story!
Jo’s Tip: Try using pre-cut ephemera to make a quick and easy card! Layer a few coordinating pieces, add a sentiment and some embellishments, and you’ll have a beautiful card in no time. 💜
F
Fancy Fold
A fancy fold is a card design that uses creative folds, cuts, or moving elements to make something a little different from a traditional card that simply opens like a book.
You may also hear these called fun-fold cards. They can be as simple as an easel or gatefold card or more intricate with multiple folds, panels, pop-ups, and interactive elements.
Jo’s Tip: Fancy folds may look complicated, but don’t let them intimidate you! Take them one fold at a time—you may be surprised at how easy they really are.
Focal Point
The focal point is the part of your project that you want the viewer’s eye to notice first.
On a scrapbook page, the focal point is often the main photograph. On a handmade card, it might be a large stamped image, sentiment, die cut, or grouping of embellishments.
Color, size, placement, and contrast can all be used to help make one element stand out as the focal point.
Jo’s Tip: Not sure what your focal point is? Hold your project at arm’s length and look at it for just a second. What catches your eye first?
Fussy Cut
Fussy cutting means using a pair of small, sharp scissors to carefully cut around a stamped image or design, following closely along its outside edge.
It’s especially handy when you don’t have a coordinating die—or when you want to cut individual images from decorative paper to use as embellishments.
Jo’s Tip: When fussy cutting, try moving the paper instead of the scissors as you cut. It makes going around curves and small details much easier! ✂️
G
Gems
Gems are small embellishments used to add a little sparkle, shine, and dimension to your papercrafting projects.
They come in many different colors, shapes, sizes, and finishes and may be self-adhesive or require a small amount of glue to attach them. Rhinestones, pearls, crystals, and faceted gems are all popular choices.
Loose gems can also be used inside shaker cards to add movement and a little extra bling!
Jo’s Tip: Try adding gems in groups of three or other odd numbers. It often creates a more natural and pleasing design.
Glue Dots
Glue dots are small, ready-to-use dots of strong adhesive that usually come on a sheet, roll, or strip. There’s no drying time, making them a quick and easy way to attach certain embellishments to your projects.
They’re especially handy for attaching bows, ribbon, buttons, die cuts, and other small embellishments that may be difficult to secure with regular adhesive.
Simply press the item onto the glue dot, lift it away from the backing, and place it on your project.
Jo’s Tip: Glue dots are perfect for those little embellishments that seem determined not to stay where you put them! 💜
H
Heat Tool
A heat tool is a special crafting tool that produces a concentrated stream of hot air. It is most commonly used to melt embossing powder when heat embossing.
As the embossing powder melts, it transforms into a smooth, slightly raised image. Depending on the powder you choose, the finished design can be shiny, metallic, glittery, or matte.
A heat tool is not like a hair dryer, it gets much hotter and produces less airflow, allowing you to melt the embossing powder without blowing it all over your project.
Jo’s Tip: Keep your heat tool moving while embossing and watch for the powder to change. Once it melts and becomes smooth, move on to the next area—you don’t want to overheat your paper!
Hot Foil
Hot foiling is a technique that uses special heat-activated foil, hot foil plates, and a compatible hot foil system to transfer beautiful metallic or colored designs onto cardstock.
The hot foil plate is heated, the special foil and cardstock are layered over it, and pressure transfers the design to the paper. The result is a smooth, shiny foiled image that can really make a project stand out!
Hot foil comes in many beautiful colors and finishes, including metallic, solid, holographic, and opalescent varieties.
Important: Hot foil is specifically designed for this technique. Not all craft foils are interchangeable, so make sure you’re using the type recommended for your hot foil system.
Want to see it in action? See how the Stampin’ Hot Foil System works.
Jo’s Tip: Hot foiling is a wonderful way to add an elegant touch to even the simplest card. A little bit of shine can make a BIG difference! ✨
Huffing
Huffing means exhaling gently onto an inked stamp to remoisten the ink before stamping. This technique is most often used when coloring directly onto a stamp with dye-based markers.
For example, you could color the petals of a flower pink and the stem and leaves green. Give the stamp a gentle “huff” to remoisten all those different colors, then stamp the image onto your cardstock. You get a beautifully colored image in just one impression!
Jo’s Tip: A gentle huff is all you need—remember you’re remoistening the ink, not blowing out birthday candles! 🎂💨
I
Ink
Ink is one of the most important supplies in stamping, and there are many different types designed for different techniques and materials.
Some common types include dye-based, pigment, alcohol, archival, oxide, and permanent inks. Depending on the type, ink can be used for everyday stamping, blending, coloring, embossing, distressing, or stamping on specialty surfaces.
Choosing the right ink for the job can make a big difference in your finished project!
Want to learn which one to use? Visit my Different Inks for Different Jobs for a more detailed explanation.
Jo’s Tip: Not sure which ink to grab? Think about what you’re stamping on and what you plan to do next—coloring, embossing, blending, or simply stamping an image. That will help you choose the right ink for the job! 💜
J
Journaling
Journaling is the process of writing the story behind the photos and memories on a scrapbook page. It might include names, dates, places, special events, funny stories, or simply how you felt at that moment.
Photos capture what something looked like, but journaling helps tell the story behind the photo. Years from now, those little details may be just as meaningful as the pictures themselves.
If you’re creating a scrapbook you hope will last for generations, choose an archival-quality, fade-resistant journaling pen.
Jo’s Tip: You don’t have to write a novel! Even a few sentences with the who, what, when, where, and why can preserve a special memory for future generations.
Junk Journal
A junk journal is a wonderfully creative way to collect and preserve memories, interesting papers, found objects, and things that simply make you happy. There really aren’t many rules—which is part of the fun!
Your journal might hold ticket stubs, postcards, old book pages, tags, photographs, fabric, lace, sheet music, pressed flowers, envelopes, or other little treasures. You might create a journal around a particular theme, such as fairies, gardening, travel, family memories, or even use one as a prayer or gratitude journal.
Pages are often created in a collage style, layering different papers, textures, images, and embellishments together to create something that feels cohesive even though the individual pieces may be very different.
Best of all, you don’t need to consider yourself an artist to make one. If something catches your eye, inspires you, or holds a special memory, it can have a place in your junk journal.
Jo’s Tip: Don’t overthink it! Junk journaling is about collecting and creating with things that speak to you. There is no right or wrong way to make your journal. 💜
K
Kromekote Paper
Kromekote is a smooth, high-gloss coated paper or cardstock that gives stamped images a crisp look and can make colors appear especially bright and vibrant.
Because the surface is nonporous, inks behave differently than they do on regular cardstock. Dye-based inks may take longer to dry and can smear, depending on the ink and coating. Pigment inks generally remain wet on the glossy surface unless they are heat embossed or otherwise set according to the ink manufacturer’s instructions.
Kromekote is great for techniques where you want bold color, a shiny finish, or a polished look.
Jo’s Tip: Glossy paper can be slippery! Stamp straight down and lift straight up to help prevent your image from sliding or smearing. And give that ink plenty of time to dry before touching it! 💜
L
Layering
Layering is the technique of placing different sizes, colors, or types of cardstock and decorative paper on top of one another to create borders, frames, contrast, and dimension.
You can layer behind a stamped image, sentiment, photograph, or an entire card front. Layers are an easy way to add color, texture, and visual interest to a project without making the design overly complicated.
Not sure what sizes to cut? Refer to my Guide to Cutting Imperial Layers for an easy reference.
Jo’s Tip: Even a small ⅛” or ¼” border of contrasting cardstock can make an image or sentiment really stand out!
Layout
A layout is a term used primarily in scrapbooking and refers to the arrangement of photos, journaling, papers, titles, and embellishments on a scrapbook page.
A layout may be a single page or a coordinating two-page spread. It can be simple with one photograph and a little journaling or elaborate with multiple photos, decorative papers, embellishments, and other design elements.
The goal is to arrange everything so your photos and memories tell a story while creating a visually pleasing page.
Jo’s Tip: Start with your main photo and build your layout around it. Remember, your photos and memories are the stars of the page! 💜
M
Markers
Markers come in a variety of ink types, but two of the most commonly used in stamping and papercrafting are dye-based and alcohol-based markers. Each behaves differently and is useful for different techniques.
Dye-Based Markers – These contain water-based dye ink similar to the ink found in a dye-based ink pad. They can be used for coloring, although you may see some streaking when coloring larger areas.
One of their best uses is coloring directly onto a stamp with the brush tip. This is especially helpful for beginning stampers who haven’t collected a lot of ink pads yet. It also allows you to use several colors on one stamp—for example, coloring the flower pink and the stem and leaves green. Give the stamp a little huff to remoisten the ink, and then stamp!
Alcohol-Based Markers – These contain alcohol-based ink that blends beautifully, making them wonderful for coloring stamped images. You can layer different shades to create highlights, shadows, depth, and dimension with a smooth appearance and minimal streaking.
Alcohol ink will usually bleed through cardstock, so protect the surface underneath your project. You’ll also want to use an ink for your stamped outline that is compatible with alcohol markers so the image doesn’t smear or bleed while you’re coloring.
Jo’s Tip: When using alcohol markers, start with a light hand and build your color gradually. You can always add more!
Masking
Masking is a fun stamping technique that makes one image appear to be in front of or behind another image without actually creating layers of paper.
Start by stamping the image you want in the foreground. Stamp that same image onto a sticky note, masking paper, or another thin piece of paper and carefully cut around it to create your mask.
Place the mask over your original stamped image and stamp your next image so part of it overlaps the mask. When you remove the mask—ta-da!—the second image appears to be tucked behind the first.
You can repeat the process with several masks to create entire scenes, bouquets, or groups of images.
Jo’s Tip: When making your mask, cut directly on or just slightly inside the stamped outline. This helps prevent a white gap from appearing between your overlapping images.
Mixed Media
Mixed media simply means using more than one type of art medium or material on the same project.
You might combine ink, paint, decorative paper, stamping, fabric, texture paste, ribbon, ephemera, and other embellishments to create layers of color, texture, and interest.
Mixed media is especially popular in junk journaling, art journaling, and scrapbooking, but you can certainly use mixed-media techniques on handmade cards too!
Jo’s Tip: Mixed media is a great excuse to experiment! Try combining supplies you wouldn’t normally use together and see what happens.
Monochromatic
Monochromatic means creating a project using one color or one color family. You can use different shades, tints, and tones of that color to add contrast and interest while keeping the design cohesive.
For example, a monochromatic purple card might combine light lavender, medium purple, and deep plum along with a neutral such as white for the card base or sentiment.
It’s a simple color combination that can create a very elegant and polished look.
Jo’s Tip: When working with one color family, add interest with different textures, patterns, and shades. Monochromatic definitely doesn’t have to mean boring! 💜
N
Notebook
A notebook can be the foundation or starting point for a junk journal. Almost any style will work, so you don’t need anything fancy—especially when you’re just getting started!
A simple composition notebook with a sewn binding or a spiral-bound notebook with a sturdy cover can easily be transformed into a junk journal. You can decorate the front and back covers and then fill the pages with decorative papers, pockets, tags, ephemera, photos, fabric, and other treasures.
Leather-bound notebooks are another beautiful option and can make a journal feel extra special, although they tend to be more expensive. You can also create your own journal completely from scratch by binding together papers and other materials.
Jo’s Tip: If you’re new to junk journaling, start with an inexpensive notebook you already have. There’s no need to invest in something fancy—the fun is in what you put inside! 💜
O
Odd Numbers
In papercrafting, you may hear someone suggest arranging embellishments or design elements in odd-numbered groups. This is based on a common design principle that groups of three, five, or other odd numbers often feel more natural and visually interesting than even-numbered groupings.
For example, instead of adding two gems around a sentiment, try three. When creating a floral cluster, you might use three or five flowers in different sizes.
This isn’t a hard-and-fast rule—sometimes an even number works perfectly! Think of it as a helpful design trick when you’re not quite sure how many elements to add.
Jo’s Tip: When in doubt, try three! Three gems, three flowers, or three little accents are often just enough to make your design feel balanced without becoming too busy. 💜
P
Page Protectors
Page protectors are clear plastic sleeves designed to fit inside a scrapbook album. Once your scrapbook layout is complete, you simply slide the page into the protector to help keep it safe from fingerprints, dust, spills, and everyday handling.
They come in different sizes and styles to coordinate with various scrapbook albums. Some are one large pocket, while others are divided into several smaller pockets for photos, journaling cards, and embellishments.
Jo’s Tip: If you’re creating a scrapbook for long-term preservation, look for archival-quality, acid-free, and PVC-free page protectors to help protect your photos and keepsakes.
Paper Piercer
A paper piercer is a sharp, pointed tool used to poke small holes into cardstock and paper. It is typically used with a foam piercing mat underneath your project to protect your work surface and allow the tip to pass easily through the paper.
You can use templates to create evenly spaced holes and decorative patterns—even intricate lace-like designs. Paper piercers are also handy for starting holes for brads or other embellishments.
Another great use is removing those stubborn little pieces of cardstock that sometimes remain inside an intricate die cut.
Jo’s Tip: Keep a paper piercer close to your die-cutting area. It’s perfect for poking out those teeny-tiny pieces that refuse to cooperate!
Paper Trimmer
A paper trimmer is one of the most useful tools a papercrafter can own. If you’re just getting started, it’s one of the first tools I recommend adding to your craft supplies.
A paper trimmer has measurement guides that allow you to cut cardstock and decorative paper accurately and consistently. Many have an extendable arm so you can easily measure and cut larger sheets, including 12″ × 12″ cardstock and scrapbook paper.
Some paper trimmers also include both a cutting blade and a scoring blade. A scoring blade creates an indentation rather than cutting through the paper, making it much easier to create crisp folds for cards, boxes, and fancy-fold projects.
Jo’s Tip: If you’re shopping for your first paper trimmer, look for one that can accommodate 12″ × 12″ paper and has both cutting and scoring capabilities. You’ll get a lot more use from it!
Punches
When you hear the word punch, you may immediately think of a traditional handheld hole punch—and those are certainly useful for adding holes to tags for ribbon or twine. But in papercrafting, punches can do so much more!
Craft punches cut shapes from cardstock and decorative paper quickly and easily. You’ll find simple shapes such as circles, squares, ovals, hearts, and labels, as well as decorative borders and detailed designs.
There are even builder punches, which cut several individual shapes that you assemble together to create something new—such as a bird, flower, animal, or other design.
Punches are especially nice for beginning crafters because they’re quick, easy to use, and don’t require a die-cutting machine.
Jo’s Tip: Keep your paper scraps near your punches! Small scraps are perfect for punching sentiments, flowers, leaves, and other little shapes—and you’ll waste less cardstock too. 💜
Q
Quotes
Quotes are a fun way to add personality, inspiration, humor, or meaning to scrapbook pages and junk journals. The right quote can help capture the mood of a photograph, memory, or journal theme.
You can print a favorite quote onto cardstock or decorative paper, stamp one, handwrite it, or add it as part of a tag or other embellishment.
When using someone else’s words, be sure to credit the author when known. If you’re unsure who originally said it, it’s better not to guess.
Jo’s Tip: Keep a collection of favorite quotes! When you find one that makes you smile or speaks to you, save it—you never know when it will be the perfect finishing touch for a project. 💜
R
Rule of Three
The Rule of Three is a design principle often used in scrapbooking, card making, and other forms of papercrafting. The idea is to arrange important elements in groups of three or in three areas of your project to create balance and keep the viewer’s eye moving around the design.
On a scrapbook layout, your photos, journaling, title, or embellishment clusters might be positioned so they form an imaginary triangle. Your eye naturally travels from one point to the next, helping the entire layout feel connected. The three elements don’t always have to form a triangle—the goal is simply to create a pleasing visual flow.
You can use the same idea on cards by repeating a color, embellishment, shape, or other design element in three different places.
Jo’s Tip: Imagine drawing an invisible triangle over your project. Place something interesting near each point, and you’ll have an easy starting place for creating a balanced design! 💜
S
Score
Scoring means creating a shallow groove or indentation in cardstock or paper to make it easier to fold neatly and accurately. Scoring gives your project a crisp, professional-looking fold.
You can create score lines with a stylus and scoring board or use a paper trimmer equipped with a scoring blade. Scoring is especially important when making boxes, bags, envelopes, and fancy-fold cards.
Jo’s Tip: Score first, fold second, and then use your bone folder to gently burnish the fold for a nice crisp crease!
Self-Healing Mat
A self-healing mat is a special cutting surface designed to protect your table when using tools such as a craft or X-Acto-style knife.
The surface is designed so small cuts close back together after the blade passes through, helping the mat remain smooth and usable for a long time. Many also include helpful measurement grids and guides.
Jo’s Tip: Even though it’s called self-healing, it isn’t indestructible! Rotate your mat occasionally so you’re not always cutting in exactly the same spot.
Shaker Card
A shaker card is a fun, interactive card featuring a clear window, usually made from acetate, with small loose embellishments trapped behind it.
The shaker can be filled with sequins, beads, gems, confetti, glitter, or tiny paper die cuts. When the recipient shakes the card, all those little pieces move around behind the window.
Foam adhesive is commonly used around the window to create enough space for the shaker pieces to move freely.
Jo’s Tip: Before sealing your shaker, make sure there aren’t any gaps in your foam adhesive—or your shaker card may become a confetti card! 😄
Shimmer Pen
A shimmer pen contains fine shimmer or glitter suspended in a liquid medium and is used to add sparkle to stamped images, die cuts, sentiments, and other elements.
Some shimmer pens are clear, allowing the original color underneath to show through, while others contain colored shimmer. Many alcohol-based versions dry quickly, leaving behind a beautiful sparkle without loose glitter.
Jo’s Tip: Give your shimmer pen a good shake before using it so all that sparkle is evenly distributed. And remember—a little shimmer can make a BIG difference! ✨
Sketch
A sketch is a basic drawing or blueprint for a card or scrapbook layout. It shows suggested placement for elements such as photos, paper layers, stamped images, embellishments, and sentiments.
You don’t have to copy a sketch exactly. Rotate it, change the shapes, add or remove layers, or substitute different elements. It’s simply there to give you a starting point and inspiration.
Jo’s Tip: Stuck for an idea? Try my sketch page and try something new!
Splatter
Splattering is a technique used to add tiny drops or speckles of color to a project, creating texture and visual interest.
One method is to use a water-based marker and gently flick the brush tip against the inside of its cap. You can also tap a marker or loaded paintbrush against your finger or another tool to create random droplets.
Different inks and coloring mediums can create different effects, so it’s a fun technique to experiment with.
Jo’s Tip: Splatter has a mind of its own! Protect your work surface—and anything nearby that you don’t want decorated! 😉
Sponging
Sponging is a technique where ink is applied to paper using a sponge, sponge dauber, or similar blending tool.
You can sponge around the edges of a cardstock panel to add contrast and definition or blend color across a larger area to create a background. Brown or neutral inks are often used when sponging paper to create an aged, distressed, or antique appearance.
Jo’s Tip: Start lightly and build your color gradually. You can always add more ink, but taking it away is another story!
Stencils
Stencils are templates with openings that allow you to apply ink, paint, embossing paste, and other mediums in specific shapes or patterns.
Use a blending brush, sponge, or dauber to apply ink through a stencil for an easy background or decorative element. Embossing or texture paste can also be spread through the openings to create a raised, dimensional design.
Some stencils come in coordinating sets called layering stencils. Each stencil adds another portion of the design. For example, one layer might create the leaves, another adds shading, and additional layers create the flowers and their details. When all the layers are complete, you have a beautifully detailed image!
Jo’s Tip: Use low-tack tape or another temporary adhesive to keep your stencil from moving while you work. Your design will stay nice and crisp.
Stylus
A stylus is a handheld tool with a small rounded ball on one or both ends. Double-ended versions often have a smaller ball on one end and a larger one on the other.
In papercrafting, a stylus can be used with a scoring board to create fold lines or with a brass stencil and light table to create dry-embossed designs.
The rounded tip presses into the paper rather than cutting through it, creating a groove or raised impression.
Jo’s Tip: Let the tool do the work! Use gentle, even pressure with your stylus—pressing too hard can tear or puncture your cardstock. 💜
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Tearing
Tearing is exactly what it sounds like—tearing cardstock or decorative paper instead of cutting it to create a rough, uneven edge.
It’s an easy way to add texture and a distressed or aged appearance to cards, scrapbook pages, and junk journals. The torn edge is often sponged or blended with ink to add contrast and make the texture stand out even more.
Depending on which direction you tear the paper, you can expose more or less of the paper’s inner fibers, giving you different looks.
Jo’s Tip: Don’t try to make your torn edge perfect—that’s the whole point! Ink the edge afterward to really show off all that wonderful texture.
Texture
Texture refers to the visual or physical surface interest you add to a papercrafting project. It helps keep a design from looking completely flat and can add depth and dimension.
Texture can be real, such as an embossed brick background, ribbon, lace, texture paste, torn paper, or raised embellishments. It can also be visual, where something looks textured even though it’s actually flat—such as a stamped woven, woodgrain, or brick pattern.
Using several textures together can make even a simple project much more interesting.
Jo’s Tip: If your project feels like it’s missing something, try adding a little texture. An embossed background, ribbon, or a few raised embellishments may be all it needs!
Texture Paste
Texture paste is a thick, spreadable medium used to create raised designs and texture on papercrafting and mixed-media projects.
It can be applied directly to paper with a palette knife for a free-form effect or spread over a stencil to create a raised pattern. Once dry, the design adds wonderful dimension that you can both see and feel.
Some texture pastes can also be colored by mixing in a small amount of dye-based re-inker or another compatible coloring medium before applying them.
Jo’s Tip: Texture paste can dry quickly, especially on your tools and stencils. Wash them as soon as you’re finished so you don’t end up with a permanent addition to your craft supplies!
Title
A title is the main heading on a scrapbook layout. It gives the viewer an idea of what the page is about and helps set the tone for the story you’re telling.
Titles can be created with stamps, alphabet dies, stickers, hand lettering, printed words, or die-cut phrases. They can be simple, such as Summer Vacation, or something more personal that captures the feeling or memory behind the photos.
The title is often one of the larger elements on the page, helping it stand out from the journaling and other details.
Jo’s Tip: Your title doesn’t have to be clever or complicated. Sometimes a date, place, person’s name, or a few meaningful words are all you need to begin telling the story. 💜
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Unicorn Mist
Unicorn Mist is a fun shimmery spray used to add sparkle, color, and a little bit of magic to your papercrafting and mixed-media projects.
Depending on the product, it can create a beautiful iridescent, rainbow-like, or pearlescent effect when sprayed onto cardstock, decorative paper, tags, and other surfaces. You can mist it lightly for subtle sparkle or add more for a dramatic background.
Because different brands of shimmer sprays behave differently, always check the manufacturer’s directions before using.
Jo’s Tip: Protect your work surface before spraying—Unicorn Mist is beautiful on your project, but maybe not quite as magical all over your craft table! 🦄
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Vellum
Vellum is a thin, translucent specialty paper that can be used in many different ways in papercrafting. Because you can see through it, vellum is wonderful for adding layers without completely covering the design underneath.
Place vellum over a stamped image or decorative paper to give it a soft, muted appearance. You can also stamp a line image onto vellum with VersaMark ink, heat emboss it, and then color the image from the back with markers. When viewed from the front, you’ll get a beautiful stained-glass effect.
Vellum can also be hot foiled, dry embossed with an embossing folder, embossed by hand with a stencil and stylus, or paper pierced. You can even purchase vellum that is already printed with decorative patterns and images.
Want to see another fun way to use it? Watch my video showing vellum and hot foil.
Jo’s Tip: Adhesive can sometimes show through vellum. Try hiding it behind a sentiment, die cut, ribbon, or embellishment—or apply it in an area that will be covered by another layer. 💜
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Washi Tape
Washi tape is a thin, decorative, low-tack paper tape that comes in an endless variety of colors, patterns, and widths. It tears easily by hand and can often be repositioned, making it a fun and versatile addition to your craft supplies.
Use washi tape to create borders and backgrounds, decorate journals and scrapbook pages, or attach lightweight mementos and ephemera. It can also be used temporarily to hold dies in place when running them through a die-cutting machine.
Jo’s Tip: Try laying several coordinating strips of washi tape across cardstock and then die cutting a shape from it. You’ll create your own custom patterned paper!
Watercolor Paper
Watercolor paper is a thick, absorbent paper specifically designed to handle water and watercolor mediums. Unlike regular cardstock, it allows you to add and move water and color around without the paper immediately becoming overly saturated or breaking down.
Watercolor paper usually has some surface texture, often referred to as its tooth. Different papers have different amounts of texture, which can affect the appearance of your finished project.
It’s a great choice when working with watercolor paints, watercolor pencils, water-based inks, and other wet techniques.
Jo’s Tip: Watercolor paper may curl when you add lots of water. Secure the edges to a flat surface with low-tack tape while you work and allow it to dry before removing it.
Watercolor Pencils
Watercolor pencils look and work much like traditional colored pencils, but their pigments are designed to blend and move when activated with water.
You can color your image first and then use a damp watercolor brush or water painter to blend the pencil marks into a soft watercolor effect. You can also use a compatible blender pen for certain techniques without adding as much water to your project.
They’re a great way to experiment with watercolor because you have the control of a pencil with the beautiful blended look of watercolor.
Jo’s Tip: Start with a little color and a little water—you can always add more! Too much of either can quickly take over your image. 💜
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X-Acto Knife
An X-Acto knife is a small handheld craft knife with a very sharp, replaceable blade. It allows you to make precise cuts that may be difficult to achieve with scissors or a paper trimmer.
It can be used to trim paper, crop photos, cut around detailed images, create openings and windows, or make specialty cuts for fancy-fold cards.
Always use a craft knife with a self-healing cutting mat underneath your project to protect your work surface.
Jo’s Tip: That little blade is VERY sharp! Use light pressure, and make several gentle passes rather than trying to cut through thick material all at once.
Xyron Machine
A Xyron machine is a handy crafting tool that can apply adhesive, laminate, or both, depending on the machine and cartridge being used.
Run a stamped image, die cut, photograph, or other flat item through an adhesive cartridge and it can come out with adhesive covering the back—essentially turning it into a sticker. This is especially useful for intricate die cuts and small paper pieces that can be difficult to glue.
Laminating cartridges can add a protective covering to photos, tags, mementos, and other keepsakes, although for long-term scrapbook preservation you’ll want to make sure the specific materials you’re using are archival-safe.
Jo’s Tip: Xyron machines are great for those intricate die cuts that make you wonder, “How am I supposed to get glue on THAT?” Run it through and let the machine do the work! 💜
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Yarn
Yarn isn’t just for knitting and crocheting! It can also be used as a fun embellishment in all types of papercrafting, adding texture, dimension, and a little extra personality to your projects.
Try wrapping yarn around a card several times and tying it into a bow, using small pieces on tags, or incorporating different fibers into scrapbook pages and junk journals. With so many colors, thicknesses, and textures available, yarn can create anything from a soft and delicate look to something bold and whimsical.
Jo’s Tip: Check your leftover yarn scraps before buying something new. You only need a small amount to add a fun pop of texture to a card or tag!
Yellowing
Yellowing is the discoloration that can happen to paper, photographs, and other materials as they age. Exposure to acids, lignin, light, heat, humidity, and environmental pollutants can all contribute to deterioration and discoloration over time.
This is especially important when creating scrapbooks that contain treasured photographs and keepsakes. Choosing acid-free, lignin-free, and archival-quality materials can help slow deterioration and keep your projects looking their best for many years.
Proper storage matters too. Keeping albums and keepsakes away from direct sunlight, excessive heat, and moisture will help protect them.
Jo’s Tip: If you’re creating a scrapbook you hope future generations will enjoy, think beyond how it looks today. Choose archival-quality supplies whenever possible to help protect those precious memories for tomorrow. 💜
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Z-Fold
A Z-Fold is a popular fancy-fold card that gets its name from the way the cardstock is folded. When viewed from the side, the folds resemble the letter “Z.”
Instead of opening like a traditional card, one section folds back on itself, creating extra panels and layers to decorate. Z-Fold cards can be kept simple or made more elaborate with stamped images, decorative paper, die cuts, sentiments, and additional panels.
They’re a great introduction to fancy-fold cards because they look impressive but are surprisingly easy to make!
Want to see one? View a Z-Fold Card
Jo’s Tip: If you’re new to fancy folds, a Z-Fold is a great place to start. Once you understand the basic fold, there are lots of fun variations you can try! 💜