20 Ways To Use Digital Paper in Craft Projects!
Home » CREATE » Crafts » Paper Crafts »Have you explored crafting with decorative digital papers before? No? Well, you’re going to love the different ways you can use digital paper in craft projects!
It’s possible to print out virtually any design and theme you can imagine thanks to the abundance of printable paper available online.
Let me show you 20 different ways!
Affiliate Disclosure
We have included affiliate links to products and services related to the topic of this post.
This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you purchase after clicking on those links.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Read Our Full Disclosure and Privacy Policy
Using Digital Paper in Craft Projects
Collaborative Feature
If you visit The Purple Pumpkin Blog often you know that we love creating and sharing free printables with you.
Many of them (especially party printables) make use of digital papers that I have either created myself (that’s a tutorial for another day!) or printable paper patterns that I have bought online from websites such as Creative Fabrica.
What is Digital Paper?
Simply put, it is the digital version of tangible decorative paper.
Just because the paper is digital, doesn’t mean your projects have to be digital!
Digital paper can be printed out and used as regular decorative paper – much like those pads of scrapbooking papers you can buy in craft stores.
There are literally thousands, if not millions of different designs available all over the internet, so you are more than likely to be able to find the right color, theme, or design for your craft project.
Tips For Downloading & Using Digital Paper
Before I get to the creative ideas, you need to know how to get that digital paper onto actual paper.
When you download something from the internet, make sure you do so from a reputable website (and use a virus scanner to avoid any unpleasant surprises).
Check Digital Paper Terms
Check the terms for using the digital paper – most websites will be for personal use only, which means you can’t sell anything made with the paper. In that instance, you will need a commercial license. I’m covering personal projects in this post.
Organize & Label Files
Your digital paper download will likely be in the form of a zipped file. The software usually bundled on computers can be used to unzip the file and you’ll find the individual jpg or png inside the folder.
Make sure you clearly label your digital paper folders on your device so that you can easily locate them later.
If you’re anything like me, you may end up with thousands of digital elements, and trust me, it is a good idea to have a labeling system!
You could label folders by season, theme, or style – do what works best for you.
Printing Digital Paper
Open the paper file in your preferred graphics programs such as Photoshop or Canva and crop it to the size of paper you need to print.
You can print full-size pages – A4 or US Letter; or if you have a larger printer you may be able to print A3 or 12″ x 12″ (which is a standard scrapbooking size).
If you only need a small piece of paper, just crop and print what you need which will help lower printing costs
Match the paper quality you use to print the paper to the project.
For example, If you’re making a special card, for example, make sure to use high-quality paper. A poor-quality paper may detract from the overall appeal of the completed project.
Ways To Use Digital Paper in Craft Projects
Whether you’re a scrapbooker, card maker, or just like to do occasional arts and crafts projects, you’ll love the versatility of digital paper!
- I love making paper lanterns for the Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year). They are so simple to make with just a sheet of paper, some scissors, and glue, and a great way to decorate for parties and festive times of the year.
- Similarly, I made these paper hand fans with my own digital papers, but they are just as easy to make yourself with different paper designs.
- Paper chains are probably the easiest decoration you can make, and kids will love looping strips of paper to make long chains.
- Use a square of paper to make cones for popcorn or potato chips (crisps). Here is a tutorial on how to make cones (I made them for Halloween)
- Turn strips of paper into gift bows! Here is my DIY gift bows tutorial, and they are so easy to make!
- Cut squares of paper and use them as origami paper – there are lots of instructions online you can use.
- Use one of my free printables for cupcake wrappers as a template to make ones that fit with your party theme.
- Make matching cupcake toppers by using a 2″ circle punch to cut and mount paper circles onto matching cardstock and attach a toothpick at the back. You can then insert them into cupcakes.
- Again, using one of my free printables for Popcorn Boxes as a template, make themed boxes for your party or movie snacks.
- Another easy party decoration is paper bunting and flags. Cut into triangles, rectangles, or pennants, punch with two holes in the top corners, and thread onto string or ribbon.
- Put that circle punch to use again to make circle garlands (shown below). Cut LOTS of circles from complimentary designs and stitch them together in one long garland. A sewing machine is best for this craft, but you could also glue some thread between two circles instead.
- Turn a sheet of paper into a pretty envelope to send old-fashioned snail mail! You’ll find templates online.
- And make matching personal paper to write notes, or to send thank yous.
- You can use printed sheets of paper without as simple placemats for special dinners. (Laminate them for longevity.)
- In the same vein, you could use them to line plates or platters for finger foods at a party.
- Use digital paper designs to line drawers or trays to make them look pretty.
- A particularly decorative or bold print could be put into a frame and hung on the wall for some seasonal decor. You could also cut the paper into shapes and mount them in the frame.
- Why not make your own gift wrap (wrapping paper) and matching gift tags? Perfect for Christmas, birthdays, and other gift-giving occasions.
- Paper is literally the background in scrapbooks, junk journals, and travelers’ notebooks – so there are three more places to use digital paper!
- Make greeting cards for Christmas, the Holidays, Easter, Birthdays, and all manner of celebrations! Tear the paper, or cut it with decorative scissors or paper punches. Add glitter, stickers, and other embellishments to make unique one-of-a-kind creations!
Ultimately, once it is printed out, digital paper can be used in the same way “regular” decorative paper can be used – have fun!
