Tips for Publishing your Scrapbooking Layouts

Thought the information on this recent post over at layoutblueprints was worthy of inclusion here, it is actually written for those of us who are trying to get our pages published in a magazine or similar.

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Can you take it?

We really want to know. Occasionally we see a layout that we like, with the exception of one element that needs to be changed to make it flow better. Do you want to know? Would you rather be published having made the change? Or would you rather not change a layout you've already created?Often times it's something simple, like changing one mat color, mounting a photo, adding journaling, or outlining a title.

We've begun asking for the small changes when it's a layout that doesn't need much, and it's easily communicated to the artist.

A few things we can mention that seem pretty common, that can really throw off a layout are:-

Titles. This one is huge. It's a really important part of a layout, and if the title doesn't jive with the rest of the layout, it can throw the whole thing off. And often times, it's hard to communicate that to someone to have the layout changed. Title should be creative, not overwhelm the layout, and make sense with the theme and photos.

Journaling. Again, an integral part of the story. A photo can occasionally stand on its own, but more often than not some journaling is required. Just remember that your audience (the editor reviewing your LO, and potentially the readers of the publication) don't know anything about the photo, the subject, or why it was taken. Interesting journaling will often be favoured when deciding between two layouts of equal caliber.

Photos. Choosing photos can be difficult in this age of digital, because we are able to take so many. But more is not always better. Choose photos that are in focus, clear, well-lit, and clearly show your subject or tell your story to be your focal photos. The other photos in the layout should add to, not detract from, the focal photo(s).These are the main issues than can keep a great layout out of the final cut.