Glossary of Card Making & Scrapbooking Terms

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Acid Free

A term very important in scrapbooking which refers to products that are manufactured free of acid to prevent deterioration and discolouration of papers and photographs

Acid Migration

This is the transfer of acid from an acidic material to either a less acidic or pH neutral material. Acid will always transfer to neutral and not the other way around. Migration will only occur when materials are in close contact with each other

Archival Ink

As it's name suggests, this ink is perfect for archival projects due to it being acid free and fade resistant. This ink is also quick drying and won't bleed and, because it's acid free, it won't damage papers and photographs

Archival quality

This is a term used to indicate materials which have undergone laboratory analysis to determine their acidic and buffered content is within safe levels.

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Brads

Brads are paper fasteners with two prongs at the back. They are available in a range of sizes, colours and shapes.

Brayer

A brayer is a soft rubber roller which is used to create backgrounds

Buffered paper

During manufacturing, a buffering agent such as calcium carbonate or magnesium bicarbonate can be added to paper to neutralize acid contaminants. Such papers have a pH of 8.5.

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Chemical Stability

Materials which are chemically stable are not easily decomposed or otherwise modified chemically which is desirable for use in preservation as it resists chemical degradation over time. Also known as archival quality

Craft Knife

A craft knife is a sharp pointed knife which usually has replaceable blades ideal for precision cutting

Cropping

Crop can have 2 meanings. The first is simply to trim down a photograph to a size suitable for your layout. The second meaning of crop is a gathering of scrappers who get together to work on their personal projects

Cutting Mat

Self healing cutting mats are used when using a craft knife to protect the surface you're working on. They can also be used to tape stencils etc down onto to stop them from moving about while in use

Direct Inking Method

This method is when ink is applied directly to paper using the surface of the inkpad

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Distressing

This technique is used to make something look old and worn. It is done by a variety of methods including sanding, crumpling, inking, tearing and so on

Double sided Tape

Double sided tape can either come flat like normal sticky tape or as foam for 3D work. They are used to secure papers and non-adhesive embellishments down to your chosen surface

Dye Ink

This is your normal water based ink found in basic ink pads

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Embossing

Embossing is a technique used in stamping to create a shiny raised image using embossing ink pads and embossing powder

Embossing Pad

Embossing pads can be used for both embossing and chalking techniques in stamping. Being slightly tinted so you can see where you're stamping, these pads allow for you to add colour of your choice over the top. 

Embossing Powder

Used in rubber stamping to provide a raised glossy effect on a stamped image. It is a fine powder that adheres to wet inks and tacky surfaces like embossing pads. When heated the powder melts leaving the glossy effect.

Ephemera

Ephemera is an item that is momentary in time such as tickets, packaging, leaflets, posters etc which is used as an embellishment on a project

Eyelets

These are fasteners with holes in the middle that, once attached to paper, card or fabric can have threads etc passed through the middle. They need to be secured to your chosen surface with an eyelet setting tool

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Foil

When rubbed over a tacky surface this foil which is attached to a plastic film will stick, leaving a shiny finish behind

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Glitter

Glitter are tiny metal fragments available in a huge array of colours and thicknesses to add sine and sparkle to crafting projects

Gold Leaf

This is gold flakes that can either come loose or on a sheet that adheres to tacky surfaces

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Heat Gun

A heat gun is a tool that produces intense hot air allowing for projects to be heated. Mainly known for use with embossing techniques

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Instant Setter

A tool used for setting eyelets. Originally a setting tool and a hammer were used to 'close' the back of an eyelet but this tool enables you to do the same thing but quicker (and quieter!)

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Journal

This is writing on a scrapbooking layout describing the subject of the page, for instance the people or events in the photographs on the page. It can also be thoughts and sentiments about the layout

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Layering

Also known as matting, this is when you place either card or paper of increasing sizes around an image to create a frame

Layout

A layout is a completed scrapbook page

Lignin

Lignin is the natural bonding element which holds wood fibers together. When manufacturing scrapbooking papers the lignin is removed during processing so that the papers become safe

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Mask

A paper cut-out of either a stamped image or a template stuck temporarily down to a project surface to hide the image behind, letting you carry on with your work without touching this image. The mask is then removed again at the end

Matting

Also known as layering, this is when you place either card or paper of increasing sizes around an image to create a frame. It visually separates the image from the background and is good for using colours to compliment the image

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Page Protector

These are clear pockets or sleeves for use in scrapbooking albums to protect your finished layouts

Paper Piercer

This is a long thin tool used to pierce a small hole through paper and card. Ideal for creating holes for brads

pH Factor

A pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is. It runs from 1 to 14, pH neutral being 7. Acid-free products have a pH factor of 7 or above. Special pH tester pens are available to help you determine the acidity of products.

pH Neutral

Similar to acid free but pH neutral is more definitive as an acid free product could be extremely alkaline and this can be equally as bad. A pH neutral product is therefore more desirable

Photo safe

This is a term similar to archival quality but more specific to materials used with photographs. Acid-free is the determining factor for a product to be labelled photo-safe.

Pigment Ink

Pigment Ink is like a water based version of archival ink except that is slow drying and thicker so that embossing powder can stick to it. This type of ink won't dry on glossy paper

Preservation

Preservation is activities that are associated with maintaining archival materials for use either in their original form or some other format

Punches

Punches are tools used to cut out shapes on card and paper. They are available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes

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Scoring

This is a technique used to create a clean fold down a card by using a scoring tool and a ruler to prevent creases. You can also buy scoring boards to give a more accurate result

Shrink Plastic

This is a plastic sheet that you can stamp on and cut with scissors and punches before heating. Heating the plastic will cause it to shrink and thicken

Stamping

Stamping is when you print an image from a range of different stamps like rubber and foam on to a surface using an ink pad

Stipple

This is a technique that creates a light uneven paint effect on paper. By applying a thin layer of paint or ink onto a special stipple brush which is flat ended like a stencil brush and tapping it onto paper you create this effect

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Trimmer

A Paper trimmer allows you to cut paper and card straight and to certain lengths. Most trimmers have built in rulers so you measure out and cut exactly the length you need.

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UTEE

This stands for Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel and is a large grain embossing powder. When this powder is melted a bumpy texture is created. You can keep adding layers and heat each layer as you go which will smooth out this bumpy look and give the effect of a glazed surface

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