Scrapbooking Glossary: 20 Useful Terms + Tools

✂️ 1. Scoring

📌 Creating a straight crease line on paper or cardstock to allow clean folding.
🛠️ Tool: Scoring board + bone folder

💨 2. Distressing

📌 Giving paper an aged, vintage look using ink, water, or sanding.
🛠️ Tool: Distress Ink + Blending Tool

🔥 3. Heat Embossing

📌 Creating raised, glossy effects using embossing powder and heat.
🛠️ Tool: Heat gun + embossing powder + embossing ink pad

💡 4. Dry Embossing

📌 Creating a raised pattern using pressure and a folder.
🛠️ Tool: Embossing folder + embossing machine (e.g., Sizzix Big Shot)

✂️ 5. Fussy Cutting

📌 Carefully cutting out detailed images by hand.
🛠️ Tool: Fine tip scissors (e.g., Tim Holtz mini snips)

🖼️ 6. Matting

📌 Adding a contrasting border behind photos or elements for emphasis.
🛠️ Tool: Guillotine or rotary paper trimmer

🎨 7. Layering

📌 Stacking elements like papers, lace, labels, and flowers for depth.
🛠️ Tool: Foam tape, liquid glue (e.g., Nuvo), or double-sided tape

🧩 8. Stenciling

📌 Applying ink or paste through a template to create patterns.
🛠️ Tool: Mylar stencil + stencil brush or ink applicator

🛡️ 9. Masking

📌 Covering parts of a surface to protect them while applying ink or paint.
🛠️ Tool: Masking tape / Post-its + Blending brush

🔄 10. Die Cutting

📌 Cutting shapes with metal dies using a machine.
🛠️ Tool: Metal dies + cutting machine (e.g., Sizzix Big Shot)

🔘 11. Punching

📌 Creating shapes manually with a punch tool.
🛠️ Tool: Paper punch (circle, heart, border, etc.)

🎯 12. Inking Edges

📌 Adding ink to the edges of paper for definition and character.
🛠️ Tool: Distress ink + blending tool or sponge dauber

🖌️ 13. Decoupage

📌 Gluing paper motifs onto surfaces with a transparent glue.
🛠️ Tool: Mod Podge or decoupage glue + soft brush

🖼️ 14. Mixed Media

📌 Combining paints, pastes, papers, and textures in one piece.
🛠️ Tool: Spatula + gesso + texture paste + heat tool

🪡 15. Piercing

📌 Making holes in paper for decorative stitching or embroidery.
🛠️ Tool: Paper piercer or needle + piercing mat

📦 16. Craft Cardstock

📌 Thick brown cardstock, often used as a base or background.
🛠️ Tool: Cutter + scoring tool + ruler

🧱 17. Chipboard

📌 Thick cardboard used for covers or dimensional embellishments.
🛠️ Tool: Laser cut or manually cut with craft knife/scissors

📏 18. Paper Trimming

📌 Cutting paper with clean straight edges.
🛠️ Tool: Paper trimmer (e.g., Fiskars, Tonic Studios)

📚 19. Album Binding

📌 Assembling album pages into a book or notebook.
🛠️ Tool: Crop-a-Dile, Cinch machine, or hand-stitched with thread

🖊️ 20. Journaling

📌 Adding written thoughts, dates, or notes to your project.
🛠️ Tool: Fine liner pens (e.g., Micron, UniPin) + journaling cards