It is quite possible to set a mood using typography or fonts. Often, I find myself searching for just the right letter stickers of the perfect alphabet to cut on my Silhouette. I want the way the title looks to match my story. Patterned scrapbook papers with text designs take this a step further. Though often neutral in color, they can easily support the story of the layout by setting the right mood. It is for this reason that I love scrapbook papers with text.

Where are the Best Places to Find Scrapbook Papers with Text Designs?

Scrapbook papers featuring text designs are readily available in paper kit collections. However, I find the best place to find them is in digital scrapbook kits. Digital designers often create them in a variety of fonts. They are also usually the easiest of digital paper types to use for hybrid layouts. Text papers often print with a nice crisp design. Color loss is generally not an issue when printing text papers like it may be when you print color patterned papers from digital kits. Alternatively, you can create your own text papers using free fonts or you can find printable text papers around the web.( I shared how you can make your own text papers in this article.)

What Should You Look for When Choosing Scrapbook Papers with Text Designs?

I know some people just like text as a pattern. However, since I am one of those people who reads everything, I feel it is important to choose text that supports the story.

Look for fonts to help support a motif. For example,If you are scrapbooking a page about sports, look for text with sports related phrases or words. You can find outdoor themed fonts to support camping stories.
Want to set the mood of the page? Whimsical fonts can set a fun tone for a page while there are also formal feeling fonts for solemn events.For example, you might want a script font for a wedding layout.
Do you need a font that supports a time frame? Some fonts are associated with certain decades. Brush Scripts are trendy right now and may very well become one of the fonts associated with the 2010’s. You can look for vintage style fonts to match a specific time frame for your heritage scrapbook pages. If you are not sure which fonts go with a specific year, try searching for ads from that decade.

How Should You Use Scrapbook Paper with Text Designs on Your Scrapbook Layout?

I love using text patterned papers designs as the main canvas or primary layer in my scrapbook layouts. It serves as a pattern, but the pattern is relatively neutral. I say relatively neutral because some text prints can be busy if they use colored text, a mix of fonts or a mix of font sizes.

If the text print is busy, you can still use it as a canvas, but you may need to limit your color palette. In this layout for example, all of the patterned papers and embellishments feature colors found within the text print. Often, text prints come in kits or collection packs which makes it easy to find the right supplies. ( this layout originally appeared in this article)

This layout is an example of a more neutral text print. The text is all one uniform size and color which makes it easy to work with. (This layout originally appeared in this article. If you don’t have a large format printer, this article will show you how to use 8.5 x 11 inch paper to get a full 12×12 canvas.)

Today’s lab exercise features a text print that has a touch of whimsy but also falls into the neutral category.The font is medium size and features a heart in place of one of the words. The font is playful which supports the mood of the page. The medium size weight makes sure that you notice it, but the uniform size and color keep it from overwhelming the page.

King of the Wild Things by Christy Strickler |Supplies Cardstock: Bazzill; Digital Scrapbook Kit: Wild Thing by Traci Reed Designs and Studio Basic; Other: Glossy Accents

Of course, a lab exercise wouldn’t be complete without the sketch. Use it as a guide for creating your own layout with a text print patterned paper.

Scrapbook papers with text are a versatile tool when it comes to telling your scrapbook story. They can be a subtle way to add pattern while dictating mood or supporting a motif. Do you like to use text prints on your scrapbook layouts or do you find them challenging?