Description
Digital Scrapbooking Paper Textures: Add Texture & Dimension
Digital Scrapbooking Paper Textures: Layer for Depth, Mood & a Hand-Made Feel: Self-paced | For Adobe Photoshop & Photoshop Elements
A little texture is what lifts a page from ordinary to artful. It builds depth and subtle interest, yet never steals the attention away from your story. In this live class with replay, you will learn to add, blend, color, and shape digital scrapbooking paper textures to perfectly complement your photos so every page feels balanced and beautifully designed.
Why Texture Is Worth Getting Right
Most scrapbookers never learn what texture can really do: a hard, straight edge stays hard and stops abruptly, or the eye snags on a seam. On the other hand, all your elements blend seamlessly but lack contrast, tension, and visual guidance.
Paper textures fix that. They can soften edges and anchor focal points. In addition, they ground titles, frame embellishments, and lead the eye exactly where you want it to go… The goal is never to be noticed on its own. Instead, texture is the secret sauce to the main event — felt but not noticed.
What You Will Learn
This class focuses primarily on paper textures, with a little tape and stitching too. You will first build a solid foundation. Then you will learn to design with texture in ways that genuinely change how your pages read. Every technique works in both programs.
- Place and modify textures using both PNG files and brushes — add, move, resize, rotate, flip, and duplicate with confidence.
- Recolor, blend, and mask so a texture coordinates with your palette and shows only the parts that serve your design.
- Align edges and anchor elements so photos, titles, and clusters feel rooted to the page rather than floating on top.
- Contain focal points and lead the eye with framing, banding, and directional lines that support a strong design approach in your digital scrapbook pages.
- Extend imagery, support your theme, and balance the page while introducing just enough tension to keep a layout interesting.
Note that the techniques are demonstrated in Adobe Photoshop. Written guidance and verbal cues will be provided for Photoshop Elements.
The 2 Live Sessions
Session 1 — The Foundation. You will get comfortable adding paper textures in both PNG and brush form. From there, the session covers moving, resizing, rotating, flipping, and recoloring. Additionally, you will apply blend modes and then modify paper textures with layer masks to customize them.
Session 2 — Designing With Texture. Here you put the foundation to work. The session walks through aligning edges, anchoring elements, containing focal points, and leading the eye. Furthermore, you will extend imagery, support your theme, embellish white space, balance the page, and introduce tension — including how it all applies to double-page spreads.
You will also see additional page examples by the Anna Aspnes Designs creative team members.
Who Is This Class For?
- Memory-keepers and storytellers who want pages with more depth, mood, and dimensional realism.
- Anyone whose pages feel flat and who wants to understand exactly why texture changes that.
- Photoshop and Photoshop Elements users at any reasonably recent version — the techniques are almost the same in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. I will demonstrate any distinctly different techniques in Photoshop Elements.
- Scrapbookers who have collected paper textures already, but have never been successful in using them
What Is Included in this Digital Scrapbooking Paper Textures Class
- Two live class replays. Session 1 (8 videos) and Session 2 (12 videos) in downloadable MP4 format for viewing on your preferred device. Each video coordinates with the comprehensive class handout guide.
- A written 20-page class guide with step-by-step instructions for both programs, plus a quick-reference cheat sheet (will be available for download a week before the live sessions)
- An ArtPlay MiniPalette (valued at $12.99) to practice on — the perfect background paper and supply set (available for immediate download)
- A PaperTextures set (valued at $4.99) in both PNG and brush format, so you can work however you prefer (available for immediate download)
BONUS PaperTextures Photoshop BrushSet (ABR and PNG format)
That is $17.98 in bonus supplies included with your registration.
What Makes This Digital Scrapbooking Paper Textures Class Different
Many tutorials show you how to drop a texture on a page. Few explain why it works. This class teaches both. As a result, you will not just learn what to do — you will understand the design thinking behind every placement.
That understanding is what lets you adapt. Once you see digital scrapbooking paper textures as lines the eye follows, you can use them to align, anchor, contain, and lead on any layout you build. Ultimately, texture becomes a tool you reach for on purpose, not a happy accident.
Texture You Feel Before You See
The best texture is the kind you have to look twice to find. It supports your photos and words without ever competing with them. So your story stays front and center, while the page gleans depth.
That subtle restraint is the whole secret. Come learn it live, then carry it into every page you make next.
- Flat to Fabulous: 10 Techniques to Elevate Your Digital Scrapbooking
- Digital Scrapbook Lighting Techniques: Magically Brighten Pages
- Blurb Photo Book Printing
Got questions? Email anytime at classes@annaaspnesdesigns.com
Corrie Kinkel (verified owner) –
This is a very big class that in the end will give you a dood understanding about all the different ways to use paper textures in a layout/card. It can be followed in PS, PSE and even in Affinity V3. I hesitated if I would take the class, but I wanted to learn more about this topic because my scrapping is evolving from the “classic” manner to a more artistic way. I am so happy that in the end I took this class and I hope that other people will do as well. Anna explains everything in detail, which is great if you are just starting but it is also a very good rehearsal of the techniques demonstrated. Loved it!
Anna Aspnes –
Thank you so much, Corrie. I’m so glad you pushed past that hesitation and took the class! That slight pivot from a classic style to a more artistic one is such a fun place to be, and PaperTextures are a wonderful way to play with the artsy style. I always try to explain everything in detail so it works whether you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen techniques you already know, so glad it worked! The different platform (PS, PSE, and Affinity) are all so similar. Once you have the hang of one, it’s not too dissimilar to venture into one of the others. Thank you for such a thoughtful review. Loved having you there! Anna
Sonya Fuller (verified owner) –
This is a comprehensive class on how to get the most out of paper textures. It truly has something for everyone, from beginners to more advanced digital scrapbookers. The video replays are especially helpful—they’re broken down into individual sections, making it easy to revisit specific techniques without feeling overwhelmed. I would highly recommend this class to anyone looking to add more depth and creativity to their layouts.
Anna Aspnes –
Thank you so much for this, Sonya! It was exactly my goal, to make a class with something for everyone, whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been at this for years. I’m especially glad the sectioned replays are working the way I hoped. They are broken up into smaller segments so you can go straight to a technique without getting lost or feeling overwhelmed. Thank you for the kind recommendation and for taking the time to share it. Appreciate you, Anna.
Julie Magerka (verified owner) –
This was an amazing class. I’ve had paper textures from Anna in my stash and thought they were “nice”. I had no idea how flexible and creatively useful they are. I am now looking at recent layouts I’ve done and can clearly see where using these textures would have made so much difference in the outcomes. So glad I took this one; will be watching replays and practising the techniques (and there are many!). Thanks Anna for all the work you put into this one.
Beverly Cazzell (verified owner) –
When Anna first introduced her new Paper Texture tools several years ago, I fell in love with them. I believe I own every paper texture kit! Using them has been a technique I’ve enthusiastically enjoyed. Anna also adds them to collections in artsy papers, as well as her transfers, specifically Artsy Transfers and Artsy Kardz. Watching every minute of the 4 hours of class time, and seeing her demonstrate and explain the use of them, really unleveled my interest for adding them even more often to my pages. She also included examples from the aATeam were were visually so helpful. As the above reviewers have stated, this class is highly recommended if your artistry needs that extra punch. Paper textures are the subtle addition that brings added visual interest to your scrapbook pages. Thank you so very much, Anna, for all the time you spent putting together this outstanding class. It is definitely 5 Stars and then some!
Anna Aspnes –
Thank you so much, this means the world to me, Beverly! You already use PaperTextures beautifully, so I can’t wait to see how this 4 hours class uplevelsyour artistry. You’ve said it perfectly, too: PaperTextures are that subtle addition that brings the extra visual interest to a page. I’m so glad the aA creative team examples were helpful, yours included 🙂 I selected them specifically to show the range of ways these favorite tools can be used. Thank you for every minute you spent in class, and for such a generous, five-stars-and-then-some review. Anna
Lorraine Hll (verified owner) –
I decided to sign up for the Paper Texture Tools class because I felt like I just didn’t quite know how to use them. I’ve played with them in layouts for a number of years, but I wasn’t really happy with most of my results. Anna’s classes are always very well done and contain a lot of information and examples. This class was no different. I now feel as if I better understand how and when to use paper textures. I will start going through the replays, working on some layouts as I do this. I have a feeling I will be a lot happier with the results after taking this class! Thank you, Anna!!
Anna Aspnes –
Thank you so much for this, Lorraine. You’ve certainly got the experience with PaperTextures, but what you were missing was the how and when, and that was the purpose of this classes. So glad it resonated with you. It’s the thing that changes your results. Super plan to work through the replays with layouts in progress; I also agree you’re going to be much happier with what you create. Thank you for such a kind review! Anna
Tina Wilson (verified owner) –
I’ve been a big fan of everything Anna since I discovered her many years ago. I have an embarrassingly large collection of her ArtPlay palettes and other digital artistry. I’ve added Paper Textures to most of my scrapbook pages, recolored them, usually brown, and applied a linear blend mode. That’s it. After taking the Paper Textures class, I was blown away by all the creative ways they can be used on a page. I’ve been totally under-utilizing them! Thank you, Anna, for putting together this class. I attended both parts one and two live and also downloaded the video replays. I was so pleased that the replays were divided into manageable parts so I could go back and practice specific techniques without having to fast-forward through a large video to find the section I wanted to review. I know the video editing and class PDF took a lot of time and effort, and I appreciate that you took the care you did so our after-class experience is as good as the class itself. I highly recommend this class! Thank you, Anna!
Anna Aspnes –
Oh, this made my day, thank you so much. First of all, welcome to the “embarrassingly large collection” club; you’re in good company 🙂 And I love that you’ve been with me for so many years. What really hit home, however, is how this class transformed how you see PaperTextures. Changing the color to brown and using a linear blend blending mode are great places to start, but knowing you walked away with a whole new range of ways to use them on a page is exactly what I hoped for. The pdf handouts and taking the time to edit the video parts is worth it for revisiting and learning the techniques specifically so you could go straight to the technique you wanted to practice without hunting through a long video. Thanks for attending live, for downloading the replays, and for such a thoughtful, generous review. I’m so grateful to have you here. Anna
Pat Baron (verified owner) –
Like many others, I have several texture packs. While I have used them, absolutely not to their full potential. This is a comprehensive class that I will be watching over and over as ideas for use pop up.
Thank You.
Anna Aspnes –
Thank you so much for this lovely review. I know exactly what you mean — texture packs are one of those tools where the possibilities endless the more you start playing with them. That’s exactly why I built this class the way I did, so it can be a resource you return to again when you need a little inspiration. I’m so glad it’s already sparking that for you, and I can’t wait to see where you take it. Thank you again for taking the time to share this. Anna
Jeanne (verified owner) –
All of Anna’s classes are great, but this one just held so many AH-HA moments for me. I’ve had the brushes and textures sitting in my files and have never done much with them because honestly, I didn’t know WHAT to do with them. They always look great on everyone else’s pages, but I didn’t know how to get to that point. I took the live class and have been re-working my way through it and I find myself looking at layouts I think I’ve completed in a different way. There’s a wait, it’s missing something, and now I know the something is that texture or brush. Thank you sooooo much Anna!
Anna Aspnes –
Oh, this makes my heart so happy! That “wait, it’s missing something” moment is exactly what I hoped for in designing the class. The confidence to recognize and fix this is everything. Brushes and textures so often sit unused for precisely the reason you describe: they look effortless on someone else’s page and impossible on your own. You’re proving they’re not. They just need a bit of context. I love that you’re reworking your way through and seeing your older layouts with fresh eyes. That’s the real game changer.Thank you for taking the time to share this. Now go add that texture.