Scrapbook Supplies for Beginners: Starter Kits Under $50, $100, and $200

What I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Started Scrapbooking

I bought way too much stuff when I started scrapbooking. Three different paper trimmers (the cheap one snapped, the second was missing a piece, the third I’m still using). Six packs of patterned paper that didn’t go with anything. A die cutting machine I didn’t touch for a year because I was too intimidated to plug it in.

You don’t need any of that to start. You need a tiny pile of stuff that you’ll actually use, and the willingness to grow your stash over months instead of one giant Amazon order.

This is the post I wish I’d had. It covers what to actually buy when you’re starting out, what to skip, and three concrete starter bundles at $50, $100, and $200 so you can match the budget that fits where you’re at.

The 6 Supplies You Actually Need to Start

Scrapbooking marketing wants you to believe you need 47 different products. You don’t. To make your first dozen layouts you need six things, and most of those you might already own.

1. A paper trimmer. Skip scissors for cutting paper to size. A good 12-inch paper trimmer gives you straight cuts every time and saves your scissors for fussy cutting. Fiskars and We R Memory Keepers both make solid options under $25.
2. Adhesive that doesn’t suck. A Tombow Mono permanent tape runner is the one supply I’d buy first if I was starting again. Glue sticks warp paper, hot glue is messy, and rubber cement yellows everything over time. A good tape runner cleanly bonds two pieces of paper without bumps.
3. A pack of cardstock. Cardstock is the foundation of every layout – it’s the heavy paper your photos and patterned paper sit on. A 12×12 cardstock multipack in neutral colors (white, kraft, black, gray) is the most flexible starting point. Add color packs later when you know what palettes you actually use.
4. One pack of patterned paper. You need exactly one pack to start – not five. Pick a 12×12 patterned paper pad that has 24-48 sheets in a coordinated palette. That’s enough variety for 8-10 layouts, and the colors will all play nicely together.
5. Sharp scissors. Not the kitchen scissors. A small dedicated craft pair (Fiskars makes the standard one) for cutting around photos, fussy-cutting embellishments, and trimming corners.
6. Photos to scrapbook. Print 20-30 of your favorites at 4×6 or 5×7. You can’t make scrapbook layouts without photos, and digital files don’t count. Get them physical.

That’s it. With those six things and a free afternoon, you can make a real layout. Everything else is optional and can wait until you’ve made enough pages to know what you actually need.

Starter Bundle 1: The $50 Get-Going Kit

This is the absolute minimum to make your first 6-8 layouts. If you’re not sure scrapbooking is your thing yet, start here.

• 12-inch paper trimmer (~$20)
• Tombow Mono Permanent tape runner (~$8)
• White and kraft 12×12 cardstock multipack (~$10)
• One 12×12 patterned paper pad (~$10)
• Photos printed at the drugstore (~$5 for 20)

Total: roughly $50-55. You won’t have embellishments, fancy stickers, or a die cutter. You also won’t have $200 worth of supplies you don’t use yet. Make 8 layouts with just this, decide if you love it, then upgrade.

Starter Bundle 2: The $100 Real-Setup Kit

If you’ve made a few pages from a $50 setup or you already know scrapbooking is your thing, the $100 tier is where you start adding the embellishments that make pages look finished.

• Everything in the $50 kit
• One scrapbook embellishment pack (stickers, die cuts, enamel dots)
• Two rolls of washi tape in coordinating colors
• Adhesive foam squares for adding dimension
• Fine-tip black marker for journaling (Sakura Pigma Micron 05 is the standard)
• Self-healing cutting mat (12×18 minimum) for safer cuts

Total: roughly $90-110. This is the sweet spot for most beginners. You can layer, you can add dimension, and your pages start looking like the ones in magazines instead of like glorified photo albums.

Starter Bundle 3: The $200 I’m-In-This Kit

If you’ve decided this hobby has hooked you and you’d rather upgrade once than five times, the $200 tier covers everything you’ll need for the next year of consistent scrapbooking.

• Everything in the $100 kit
• Color cardstock multipack (40-50 sheets across rainbow tones, ~$15-20)
• Second patterned paper pad in a different palette ($10-15)
• Two alphabet sticker sets (Thickers-style) for titles
• A scoring board (Martha Stewart or We R Memory Keepers, ~$25)
• Storage solution: a 3-tier cart or a 12×12 paper organizer (~$30)
• One month of a curated monthly scrapbook kit (about $35) – because honestly, having someone else coordinate the supplies for a month while you’re still building intuition is worth the price.

Total: roughly $190-220. After this you’re set. You’ll add favorite supplies as you find them, but the core toolkit is done.

What Beginners Should NOT Buy First

Half of “what you need to start scrapbooking” is “stop buying these things.” Save your money on:

1. A die cutting machine. Cricuts and Big Shots are amazing tools, but they’re $150-300 and require their own learning curve. Master basic layouts first; add the machine when you actually want to cut shapes you can’t buy as stickers.
2. Specialty papers (vellum, foil, glitter cardstock). They’re tempting and they’re niche. You’ll use them on maybe 1 in 20 layouts. Buy them as you need them, not preemptively.
3. Punches and corner rounders. These were essential in 2005. They’re now mostly obsolete because die cuts and stickers do the same job faster.
4. Heat tools and embossing powder. Real technique, real fun, but a beginner-trap. Master flat layouts before you go 3D.
5. Stamp sets. Each one needs ink pads, cleaning supplies, and a stamping technique. Add stamps later when you have specific projects in mind, not as part of a starter kit.
6. Mass cardstock packs in 50 colors. You’ll use 6 of those colors. Buy a smaller multipack and add colors you actually need.

Every dollar you don’t spend on stuff you don’t use yet is a dollar you can spend on the supplies you’ll burn through fast (good adhesive, more patterned paper, photos to print).

How to Use Each of Your First Supplies

Here’s the 90-second version of how each of the six essentials actually works on a layout:

• Paper trimmer: Slide your cardstock or patterned paper under the blade, line up to your measurement, slide the blade. Most layouts use 1-2 cuts per piece – sizing photos to mat them on cardstock, sizing patterned paper for the background.
• Tape runner: Roll it across the back of any flat piece (photo, patterned paper, sticker). Press onto the layout. Done.
• Cardstock: Use as your 12×12 base layer. Mat photos by sticking them to slightly-bigger pieces of contrasting cardstock to add a “frame” effect.
• Patterned paper: Use as your background or as accent strips. A common starter formula: cardstock base, one big block of patterned paper occupying about 60% of the page, photos on top.
• Scissors: Trim around printed photos when the white border bothers you, fussy-cut individual elements out of patterned paper, snip off corners.
• Photos: Place them on the layout BEFORE you adhere anything. Move them around for 5 minutes until the composition feels right. Then adhere.

If you want to see exactly how all of this comes together, our how to scrapbook guide walks through making a complete first layout from start to finish. Pair it with this supply list and you have everything you need. Once you outgrow the beginner setup, our full scrapbook supplies guide goes deeper on every category – paper weights, adhesive chemistry, embellishment types, and storage.

Why Monthly Kits Make Beginner Life Easier

Once you’ve shopped for your own supplies a few times, you’ll notice that the hardest part isn’t the cost – it’s deciding what coordinates with what. Patterned paper from one collection rarely plays nicely with paper from another collection. Sticker palettes don’t always match the paper. You can spend an hour trying to assemble a coherent layout from a mismatched stash.

This is why most experienced scrapbookers eventually subscribe to a monthly kit. Someone else does the coordination work. You open the box and everything goes together.

If you’ve decided scrapbooking is going to be a regular hobby, a monthly subscription kit can replace the “what do I need to buy this month” decision entirely. We obviously have our own monthly scrapbook kits, and there are several other good ones in the kit-club world depending on your budget and style. The point is the same either way: coordination done for you, no shopping decisions, just create.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the cheapest way to start scrapbooking?

Under $40 if you already own scissors and have access to a printer for photos. Buy a basic paper trimmer (~$15-20), a tape runner (~$8), one 12×12 cardstock pack in neutrals (~$8), and one 12×12 patterned paper pad (~$10). That’s enough to make your first 6 layouts. Skip embellishments and fancy tools until you’ve decided you love the hobby.

Do I need a Cricut to scrapbook?

No. A Cricut (or Silhouette, or Big Shot) is a wonderful tool, but it’s not a requirement. You can make beautiful scrapbook layouts with paper, photos, and basic supplies for years before you’d benefit from a die cutting machine. If you do eventually want one, get comfortable with basic layouts first – you’ll know what shapes you actually want to cut.

What size paper should beginners use?

12×12 is the standard scrapbook size and what most pre-made supplies come in. Cardstock, patterned paper, page protectors, and storage products all default to 12×12. Start there. Once you’re comfortable, you might branch into 8.5×11, 6×8, or pocket scrapbooking, but 12×12 is the easiest to find supplies for.

Can I scrapbook without buying a kit?

Absolutely. Plenty of scrapbookers buy individual supplies and assemble their own coordinated palettes. The trade-off is that it takes more time and judgment to build a coordinated stash. Kits exist because most crafters value the time-saving over the price.

How much should I expect to spend per month on scrapbooking?

It depends on your pace. A casual scrapbooker (1-2 layouts a month) can sustain the hobby on $20-30/month in consumables. An active scrapbooker (4-8 layouts a month) typically spends $40-60/month, often through a monthly subscription kit. A serious enthusiast can easily spend $100+/month on kits, exclusives, and special supplies.

What’s the difference between scrapbook supplies for beginners and advanced supplies?

Beginner supplies are flexible, forgiving, and broadly compatible. Cardstock works on every layout. A tape runner adheres anything flat. Patterned paper from one collection plays with most other beginner supplies. Advanced supplies are more specific – alcohol inks, embossing folders, mixed media texture pastes – and they’re usually paired with a specific technique. There’s no rule that beginners can’t buy advanced supplies; just know that the technique-to-supply ratio is much higher with the advanced stuff.

Do I need photo-safe or acid-free supplies?

If you’re scrapbooking memories you want to last 50+ years, yes – look for “acid-free” and “lignin-free” on cardstock and adhesive packaging. Almost all scrapbook-marketed supplies are acid-free now (the ones from Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and dedicated scrapbook brands). Random craft store paper might not be. The label will say.

Where should I buy beginner scrapbook supplies?

Amazon and Michaels are the easiest starting points – everything is in one place and reviews help you avoid the bad products. For higher-quality coordinated supplies, dedicated scrapbook retailers (including our monthly kits) deliver curated selections that beat anything you’d assemble yourself for the same price.

Related Supply Guides

Working in another paper craft? These supply guides cover the essentials for adjacent paper crafts:

• Scrapbook Supplies: The Complete Guide – The full crafting supply pillar covering paper, adhesive, embellishments, tools, and more.
• Scrapbook Tools – Paper trimmer, die cutters, embossing tools – the buyer’s guide and tool-tier hierarchy.
• Best Scrapbook Paper – Cardstock weights, patterned paper bundles, and specialty papers worth buying.
• Card Making Supplies – What you need to make handmade greeting cards – cardstock, stamps, dies, ink.
• Art Journal Supplies – Mixed media essentials for art journaling – paint, brushes, mediums, journals.
• Junk Journal Supplies – Found-paper and ephemera supplies for the maximalist mixed-media junk journal craft.
• Best Scrapbooking Kits – Compare monthly kit subscription clubs and find the right fit for your style.

Where to Go Next

You have a starter kit (or a plan for one). Now build the habit. Here’s what to read next:

• How to Scrapbook – Make your first layout step by step.
• Scrapbook Supplies: The Complete Guide – The full pillar guide once you’re past beginner level.
• 50+ Scrapbook Page Ideas – Layout inspiration for your first dozen pages.
• Scrapbook Ideas – Themes, techniques, and tutorials.
• Best Scrapbooking Kits – Compare monthly kit clubs when you’re ready to upgrade.
• Hip Kit Club Scrapbook Kits – Curated monthly kits that take the supply guesswork away.