Before you get started you should learn some basic scrapbooking vocabulary.

Acid-free  Acid-free products have a pH factor of 7.0 or more.  It is important that every material you use in your scrapbook is acid free to ensure than none of them deteriorate over time.

Adhesives  There are a huge number of adhesives out there to choose from and each can be used for different effects.  To cover large uniformly there are adhesive sprays.  For smaller areas there are liquid adhesives and double-sided tape and dots.  Photo corners and sleeves are specifically designed for adding pictures to you layout.  Lastly, to add dimension to you scrapbook there are adhesive foams.  Remember no matter which adhesive you choose to make sure it is acid-free to protect you memories.

Albums  There a few common types of albums used in scrapbooking and all come in various sizes. 

• Three-Ring:  These are similar to the binders you used in school and allow for easy insertion and removal of pages.  
• Spiral-Bound:  Ideal for themed scrapbooks this type has permanently attached pages.  
• Strap-Style:  Plastic straps are used to allow pages to lay flat when people look through your scrapbook.

Cropping  Cropping allows you to cut unnecessary backgrounds out of your photos and mold their shapes so they mesh well with your layout.

Embellishments  Embellishments add a lot to your page.  Punches allow you to add accents to you layout, in any color or shape you desire.  Die Cuts are paper shapes that help you coordinate the look of you pages.  Stickers can help you add more excitement to your page.

Journaling  This is what separates your scrapbook from a simple photo album.  Tell the story behind your pictures.

Matting  Matting is a technique that makes your photos stand out on the page.  The key is to make the color of your mat work well with the composition of the picture lying on top of it.

Pens and Pencils  There are many different tools you can use to include handwritten words to your scrapbook .  Gel Pens, Colored Pencils, and Felt Tip Markers are just a few of the options out there.  All are available in different sizes and colors making it easy to match the style you are looking for.

Photo-safe  Products that are photo-safe will not damage your pictures or cause them to break down over time.

Scissors and Cutter  You need tools to cut your scrapboking materials so they fit nicely on your pages.  Whether you use scissors, craft knives, rotary cutters, or paper trimmers make sure you use the right tool for the material you are working with.

Sheet Protectors  These are plastic sheets that fit over a completed page to add even more protection to your memories.