Everything You Need to Know About Chipboard

Chipboard is pressed fiber thick paper, usually made from recycled paper. You see chipboard all the time. It is used for the backing of notepads, backing of stacks of business forms, and in scrapbooking used to ship stacks of sheets of paper to scrapbook stores. The benefit to chipboard is that you can paint it, sand it, cover it with patterned paper, heat emboss it, and use rub-on letters to embellish it. The applications for using chipboard in scrapbooking is limited only by your own creativity.

You will find chipboard is used for many things in scrapbooking. If you like to create mini albums, then chipboard is likely what that album you purchased is made from. If you go to the store to purchase three dimensional letters you will find chipboard letters. It is used to create flourishes and other shapes for embellishing. You can utilize it in some die cut machines to create your own custom shapes and letters.

The downside to chipboard is that it is a very sturdy material. Depending on the depth of the chipboard, you may be unable to cut it. Otherwise you may need a die-cut machine or a saw to cut it to the desired size and/or shape. You can also purchase a Crop A Dile to punch holes in it.

You may wish to purchase a die cut machine. The expense is great however if you add up all the pre made chipboard letters you buy, it will probably save you money and trips to the craft store in the long run. Just make sure that you do your homework and are sure the die cut machine you wish to purchase will cut chipboard and what particular size it will cut.

The introduction of chipboard into scrapbooking has greatly increased the versatility and creativity on scrapbooking pages. Without chipboard, we would probably be stuck with computer fonts and one dimensional paper cut out shapes.

Here are some ways to use chipboard ins your next scrapbook.

-Create an eye popping title by using paint and rub-ons to emboss chipboard letters.

-Cover a pre-cut shape or design with patterned paper to affix to your page.

-Use a Crop a Dile to punch holes in a chipboard flower. Then set an eyelet or a brad in the center.

-Purchase plain chipboard to create your own custom mini albums. Hole punch the sides and affix binder rings.