If you’re interested in working with scrapbooking supplies and you’re ready to take the hobby to the next level, then establishing solid relationships with other scrapbook supply vendors can be one of the keys to launching that business. Opportunities for offering your creative services include designing scrapbooks for others, or buying and reselling your own inventory of supplies to other scrapbooking enthusiasts. In either case, scrapbook supply distributors offer plenty of discount scrapbooking supplies and equipment to help your bottom line.

Once you have a plan, buy scrapbooking supplies from a certified scrapbook supply distributor. Popular scrapbooking supplies and trends include albums, rubber stamps, adhesives, embellishments and scrapbooking equipment such as die-cutting machines. Then, take advantage of the services offered by most of these vendors. Services can range anywhere from custom photo restoration to digital photo scanning. Other ways to network with scrapbook supply vendors include:

1. Participating in classes that teach the basics of scrapbooking, design techniques and scrapbooking supplies.

2. Looking for wholesale scrapbooking supplies and equipment for your project needs.

3. Considering custom services, such as photo preservation, digital photo storage or 3-D embellishments. Consultation services are available if you need layout assistance, such as picking a theme.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Register for classes offered by scrapbook supply distributors

Some vendors host in-store or online classes and workshops that give information on scrapbooking supplies and project ideas for your business.

I recommend: Scrapbook supply vendor Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts offers scrapbooking and other classes, depending on your location. Big Picture Scrapbooking also provides classes that focus on digital applications.

Save on business and project costs by finding discount scrapbooking supplies

Buying from wholesale scrapbooking supply vendors helps your business bottom line.

I recommend: CreateForLess offers services such as account and ordering assistance to scrapbook supply vendors and other customers. Research scrapbooking supply deals online at the Scrapbooking Warehouse. Stay updated with new scrapbooking supplies and clearance items at Scrapbooks.com: Keeping Memories Alive.

Consult with scrapbooking supply distributors for additional services

Seek consultation services if you're stuck on layout ideas, or are undecided on scrapbooking supplies for your business or project needs.

I recommend: Align with Design features services such as photo matting, three-dimensional embellishments and page protector options. Harbor Scrapbooking provides photo restoration and scrapbook scanning options to customers and scrapbooking supply vendors.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Go green with scrapbooking supplies by recycling any unused patterned and cardstock paper. As a scrapbooking supply distributor, consider reusing paper, plastic and other materials to help the environment.

Finding scrapbooking supplies is easy. All you need to do is visit any big box retail store, grocery store, or chain drug store, and visit the scrapbooking or craft section. The difficult part about buying scrapbooking supplies is finding them at a good price.

Whether you are a business looking to buy scrapbooking supplies for your office, or a business looking to buy and then resell these supplies, you will want to buy a large number of items at a low cost. Before purchasing any supplies, you will need to consider exactly what items you intend to purchase, and how many of each item you intend to buy.

Since you can purchase an inventory of scrapbooking equipment from almost any store, here are some things to consider that may save you time and money:

1. Get detailed information on scrapbooking supplies that you intend to purchase.
2. Buy scapbooking supplies in bulk that will be used or sold quickly (card stock, glue, stickers, pens or paint).
3. Only buy a few of the larger, more expensive items until you know what the demand for these items will be.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy scrapbooking supplies in bulk

You may need everything from paint to paper cutters to stickers. If that is the case, be sure to visit scrapbooking supply distributors that specifically deal in wholesale scrapbooking supplies. These stores usually offer a wide variety of items at lower costs. The downside to wholesale shopping is that you may be required to buy a minimum quantity of an item.

I recommend: crafthobbywholesale.com has a large selection of wholesale scrapbooking supplies. This site is easy to use because of its convienient dropdown "Scrapbooking" menu. However, the site does require that a minimum number of items be purchased at one time. You may also want to check out Scrapbook Supercenter.com.

Buy from a store specializing in scrapbooking equipment

Stores that sell only scrapbooking supplies will have more unique items. These scrapbook supply vendors tend to offer a one-stop shopping experience. They offer everything you need for scrapbooking, however, you may have a difficult time finding discount scrapbooking supplies at these stores.

I recommend: Cropping Corner, Two Peas in a Bucket, and scrapbook.com are Web sites designed specifically for scrapbooking supplies. They are easy to navigate because of the menus displayed on each page, and you can find everything from your own die cutting machines to already made scrapbooking kits.

Get detailed information about scrapbooking supplies

When searching for scrapbook supplies to purchase, be sure to read the descriptions of the items. For example, you want to purchase card stock that is acid free and lignin free. This will help to preserve the artifacts displayed on the pages. You also want to ensure that you are getting exactly what you want. For example, when shopping for a paper cutter or trimmer, pay attention to size and dimension.

I recommend: Joann.com, the official website for Jo-Ann fabric and craft stores, offers a wide variety of products with detailed information about scrapbooking supplies. For example, they provide specific information about the card stock as being acid and lignin free and how many sheets come in a set. The prices at the site are reasonable, however, the selection is not as large as at a store that specializes in scrapbook supplies. Another site that also provides detailed information about each product is cutting-mats.net.

Consider a scrapbook supply vendor that offers already made pages and kits

Buying pages that are already made, or kits for these pages, can be more expensive than simply buying individual items. If you plan to purchase already made pages, know exactly what you are getting.

I recommend: Addicted to Scrapbooking has a large variety of already made pages and kits. By clicking on any specific kit, the site provides pictures of what can be made, along with detailed information on the scrapbooking supplies included in the kit. The downside to this site is that the details tend to be fuzzy in some of the product images, and the cost of each kit is approximately $30.00. Another site that has a large variety of already made kits is Crazy Scraps, where you can click on any of the featured page kits to view a much larger selection.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Buy only scrapbooking supplies that you think you will need. Just because scrapbook supply vendors offer card stock pages for every occasion doesn't mean you need to buy pages for every occasion.
• •  Focus on cost and quality; do not simply buy discount scrapbooking supplies because they are inexpensive. Just because you get a lot for your money doesn't necessarily mean you are getting a quality product.
• •  Keep an open mind and buy from a few different scrapbooking supply distributors. When you find one with outstanding products and service, then remain loyal to that company.
• •  Don't fall for the 'Don't Forget' section that scrapbook supply distributors use on their Web sites. If the product wasn't on your original list, you probably don't need it.

Whether you are considering starting a scrapbooking company or simply want to scrapbook photos of company events, there are plenty of terms to learn first. Scrapbooking has existed for years and gathered many fans along the way, so there are more key terms than you likely thought. However, you can skip the risk of feeling overwhelmed by getting to know the basics before you get started. Even if you are not naturally artistic, many of the most used scrapbooking supplies will help you create an attractive book of memories.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Acrylic album

This type of album is popular in scrapbooking for its unique transparent feature. What you place on one side of the page can be seen from the other side, which many scrapbooking fans use to their advantage by placing a picture on one side and an appealing paper cut-out on the other as a background.

I recommend: BellaOnline describes the benefits of acrylic scrapbooking albums.

Paper punch

This handheld device punches shapes into paper, and each resulting shape can be affixed to an album page as a decoration. Many scrapbookers also use paper punches to create interesting frames around pictures in their albums.

I recommend: Cropping Corner provides details about the types of paper punches available.

Rubber stamp

Rubber stamps are a staple of scrapbookers, as they use them to decorate albums with colored shapes using an ink pad. Stamps come in many shapes and sizes, and many scrapbookers also have their own stamps custom-made to portray a particular image or word.

I recommend: Find out the history and uses of the rubber stamp at Rubber Stamping Fun.

Stencil

A stencil is a way for scrapbookers to easily draw images in their albums with no drawing experience. Stencils usually are made of thin plastic material, allowing users to simply trace the design with a pencil or marker onto an album page.

I recommend: Free Stenciling Patterns explains the history and benefits of stencils.

Embellishment

An embellishment is anything that decorates a scrapbook page. It can range from old ticket stubs to unique buttons, and can be purchased at a store or found in a junk drawer.

I recommend: Scrapbook Embellishments explains what embellishments are, and categorizes the different types.

Cardstock

Cardstock is a heavy paper often used by scrapbookers. Its sturdiness makes it a great candidate for creating shapes with a paper punch, and it comes in several colors.

I recommend: Find out everything you need to know about cardstock at wiseGEEK.

Investing in scrapbooking supplies can become a costly endeavor if you don't watch your budget. So you need to learn to minimize waste and stick to a strict cost effective set of rules as far as what you plan to spend each time you do a project or are making a scrapbook decision.

There are many ways that you can keep your scrapbooking supplies costs down. You can buy discount scrapbooking supplies from a variety of scrapbook supply distributors. You can make your purchases from auction sites like eBay who sell from scrapbooking supply distributors or from resellers. You can minimize your waste and/or take advantage of the pieces that you create as scrap. The list of budget savers goes on an on.

To find out additional information on saving money on scrapbooking supplies:

1. Take a class from one of the many scrapbook supply vendors. As experts in the field, they are knowledgeable about how to make the most of your materials and your budget

2. Purchase scrapbooking equipment to help you minimize waste. Make every cut perfect so as not to have to discard and re-do.

3. Make your own scrapbooking supplies.

4. See how others learn to bargain shop when they buy scrapbooking supplies.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take a class from scrapbook supply vendors

Scrapbook supply vendors and professionals in the business can teach you the tips and tricks of the industry on how to save money. They can help you get it right the first time as well as teach you how to get the most for your money.

I recommend: Take a class from reputable scrapbook supply vendors such as Lorie Lemmons from Creative Memories. She can keep you up to date on the latest sales, and she can help you maximize your purchase and the supplies that you have. Take a class at Croppers Circle in Chicopee, Massachusetts. By taking advantage of an in-class setting, you learn techniques first-hand, and you are less prone to wasting supplies because you figure out how to master the technique right away instead of going through multiple times of trial and error.

Let scrapbooking equipment save you time and money

Purchase scrapbooking equipment to help you save valuable time and funds by getting your design and cut work right the first time. Save on wasted paper, and free up time for other projects.

I recommend: Purchase equipment from ProSource Packaging like the Akiles Diamond-1 Corner Rounder or the Akiles Diamond-5 Corner Rounder to create professional looking scrap book pieces for professional or personal use to save yourself the wasted supplies with botched up hand cutting. Purchase Cricut scrapbooking equipment for the perfect cut or design every time. No more wasted paper or time. Let the machine do it for you.

Print your own scrapbooking supplies

Make your own scrapbooking supplies by accessing free sites and getting creative.

I recommend: Find free printable scrapbooking supply graphics from ScrapbookScrapbook.com. Find out all kinds of do-it-yourself scrapbooking freebies and printables from LoveToKnow.

Learn how others save when they buy scrapbooking supplies

Find out how other save money when they look for scrapbooking supplies and purchase their wares.

I recommend: See how the experts at EzineArticles.com are saving at the store for scrapbooking supplies purchases. Take a look at the scrapbooking post on the Not Made Of Money site. Hubpages lists Ten Money Saving Scrapbooking Ideas.