20 Ideas to Save Money on Scrapbooking

Hobbies can be expensive. Scrapbooking definitely falls into that category. If you aren’t careful it can get expensive fast. Keep reading to find out how to save money on scrapbooking without giving up quality.

20 IDEAS TO SAVE MONEY ON SCRAPBOOKING

Be sure to read through the whole list because the ideas to save money on scrapbooking cover so many different options. I am sure you will find some tips you haven’t thought of before.

Buy Used Products

One of my favorite ways to get new supplies is to buy USED products. I am a thrifter by nature and this is an easy sell for me. Not everyone likes to buy preowned items. But stop and listen if you fall into that category.

Preowned often means it was at someone else’s house, but wasn’t actually used. I purchase scrapbooking supplies off of Facebook Marketplace and Buy, Sell, Trade groups all the time. Most of the supplies are almost new or are new.

If you want new tools this is a great option. You can save a ton of money on die cutting machines by buying used machines. Often the person uses it once or twice and then it is just sitting in the box waiting for you to get it at half price or lower.

Swap Group

Most crafters have a group of like-minded people they spend time with occasionally. Grab your scrapbooking friends and set up a swap group. Once a quarter (or more often) have a swap day.

Everyone brings supplies they aren’t using or don’t want. People can dig through the table and take what they can use.

This is a simple way to get “new to you” supplies.

Do it Yourself

I love layout kits, but there are times my budget doesn’t allow for the convenience of kits. Making layouts and cards myself with what I already have saves me money.

Kits save me time, but not money. So do it yourself to save money on scrapbooking.

Use Leftover Scraps of Fabric

If you have friends who sew, ask them for their fabric scraps. Even small pieces of fabric can be used in scrapbooking.

Tear a thin strip to use as a ribbon. Cut pieces into a banner. Make a tag with fabric that is adhered to cardstock for a nice texture change. There are many more ideas for using fabric in scrapbooking if you get creative.

Look at Packaging

Packaging and tags off of items you purchase may work great as embellishments. Especially the packaging for paper crafting supplies! Many of these packages are beautiful and you can fussy cut parts of the package out to add to a card or layout.

Be Open to Unusual Items

Did you know a pop can tab can look fantastic with a small ribbon tied onto it? The metal lid of a jar of baby food could have some cardstock put inside the lid for a fun embellishment.

Keep your eyes open to small items that aren’t normally true scrapbooking supplies. Think outside the box.

Download the App

If you shop at Michaels, be sure to download the app. Then create an account and you will have access to coupons that can be used online or in the store. You won’t have to remember to bring a coupon with you…because you will almost certainly have your phone with you at the store.

Get on the Email List

I know, I know…we get too many emails. BUT, I have saved so much money by signing up for the email list for papercrafting companies. They send out emails when they are having a SALE. Sometimes these sales are EPIC and I can get MORE for my money.

Check the Deals Tab

This tip is specifically for people who shop at Scrapbook.com. I shop online at Scrapbook.com regularly and have gotten so many free items this past year. They have really upped their game.

When you go to their homepage, click on COUPONS. This page has more than just coupons. They often have a code for 10% or more off your entire purchase with the coupon code. But then SCROLL DOWN to see offers for totally free items. Some are free if you spend a certain amount and other items are free if you buy anything at all.

The items can range from a 6×6 paper pad to a free die cut. I have really been thrilled with my freebies from them.

There are also deals on this page for big savings specials from specific brands they sell.

Buy for Specific Projects

This tip is one I struggle with often. I want to buy things that are pretty or new, but I don’t have a project in mind so it may just sit in my craft room indefinitely.

It is okay to buy supplies if you can afford to, but try to purchase items that will help you complete specific projects. Impulse buys can really tank our budget.

Go Halves With a Friend

Buying certain supplies in large quantities can save money. For instance, plain white or black cardstock in bulk can be much cheaper than a pack with multiple colors. Ask a friend to go in on the purchase and split the package.

Some supplies that you use all the time may be cardstock, adhesive, brads, eyelets, and ribbon. These can usually be purchased in larger quantities.

Try Whatnot

Although I am fairly new to the Whatnot app, I am hooked. I am a buyer and a seller. I have gotten some amazing scrapbooking supplies at great prices.

This is a live auction site you can access on your computer or on your phone. You place bids in real time. There are lots of sellers who specialize in paper crafting supplies. Check out my profile, SweetLifeStuff….I also sell scrapbooking supplies.

Buy a Subscription

If you love reading scrapbooking magazines or other craft magazines, it is cheaper to get an annual subscription then buying it each month or quarter.

The same thing goes for KITS. If you love a brand’s kits….and order from them often…then signing up for their monthly kit can save you money. Many brands allow you to skip a month if you don’t care for the upcoming kit.

Try it Out First

Before you run out and buy the newest machines or tools…try them out first. Ask friends if anyone has the item and if you could swing by and give it a test run.

Sometimes we don’t LOVE a tool like we thought we would and we waste money on something we will rarely use.

Keep Some of That Packing Material

When you get a package in the mail it may have packing material that could be used in crafting. There could be tissue paper or thin cardboard. These items can be handy to have on hand and they don’t cost you any extra.

Most die cutting machines will cut through chipboard and thin cardboard. This could work for dimensional embellishments.

Cover Up Mistakes

I advise you to do a practice run when it comes to stamping. But even if you mess up…don’t throw it out and start over. Just add some cardstock in a cute way and redo the project.

This is more cost-effective than starting over.

Use the Negative Space

When you die cut you will have negative space left over. These parts can many times be used too for a fun effect.

Keep Your Scraps

Keep decent-sized scraps of cardstock and paper. These can be used for so many things. It is very easy to use scraps in card making because you don’t need a large piece of paper.

I also use my cardstock scraps for die-cutting small items. No way should I use a big new sheet of cardstock to cut out a few small letters.

Scraps also work perfectly for making tags or as part of a mini album.

Garage Sales

I have purchased so many supplies at garage sales over the years. From a Cricut machine to stickers….I have found many treasures.

If the sale has a lot of craft supplies it never hurts to ask if they have more scrapbooking supplies they want to sell. I have really lucked out and gotten some awesome supplies this way.

Only Print Pictures You Will Use

Do not just print off every photo you take. Be intentional about which photos you print off. Quality photo printing can get expensive if you aren’t careful.

There is no sense printing off pictures you won’t be using. They will just sit in a box for years to come.

How do you save money on scrapbooking? Comment and let me know!