Clear Overlay Scrapbooking Technique

Many scrappers attempt to add new techniques to certain scrapbook pages to make these pages stand out from the rest. But some techniques like adding stitching, embossing or masking involve techniques that require a lot of extra supplies, time and money. Adding a clear overlay to your page involves very little extra work, makes your page eye-catching and can be completed in a matter of seconds.

Overlay On Top

Step 1

Place the scrapbooking paper of your choice on your crafting area. Use either a solid-colored paper or a patterned paper. The patterned paper will add more character to the scrapbook layout, but a solid-colored page lets your words or images on the clear overlay stand out more on the page.

Step 2

Decorate your scrapbook page according to your preferences. Add pictures, scraps of paper, embellishments and photos as usual.

Step 3

Avoid using embellishments that rise above the rest of the page. The use of thick materials can affect the overlay's ability to conform to the page and may create ripples, so try to keep the layout two-dimensional.

Step 4

Place a plastic overlay over the page. The overlay makes the page glossy and will help it stand out among your other scrapbook pages.

Step 5

Use a printer transparency as an alternative. This method will allow you the same look as the plastic overlay, but you can print text directly onto the transparency so it will show above the layout from your base page.

Step 6

Open a photo editing or scrapbooking program. Add the text, borders, embellishments or photos of your choice. This information will be added to the transparency.

Step 7

Select "Print" from your editing program. Select that you are using a transparency on your printer's options so the ink can be added appropriately to the transparency. Adhere the transparency to the scrapbook page.

Overlay On Bottom

Step 1

Place a piece of card stock on your crafting area. Use either a solid-colored paper or a patterned paper.

Step 2

Add a plastic overlay to the top of the page. Cover a portion of the card stock or the entire page according to your preference. Vellum is another alternative that you can use to cover the page, but it will add more of a frosted look to the page. The overlay will make the paper underneath shiny.

Step 3

Add the elements of your scrapbook layout on top of the overlay. Add embellishments, photos and journaling. Write on the overlay with a dry erase marker.

Step 4

Avoid placing scrapbooking elements directly on top of photos. You don't want to cover up your meaningful photos. Write beside the photo instead.