10 Best Patterned Papers for Scrapbooking: Hip Kit Club's Top Picks

Hey there, scrapbook lovers! Are you ready to jazz up your layouts with some cool patterned papers? Hip Kit Club's got your back with their monthly kits. Let's check out the top 10 patterned paper picks that'll make your scrapbooks pop!

Why Hip Kit Club Rocks

Hip Kit Club offers exclusive monthly scrapbooking kits packed with coordinated designs and fun embellishments. Most kits cost between $20 and $35, which is a good deal for all the goodies you get. Their subscription model means you'll always have fresh supplies to play with!

Hip Kit Club stands out for their quality papers in every kit. Each month, they pick papers that look great and work together, making it easy for scrapbookers of all skill levels to create cool layouts.

Top 10 Patterned Paper Picks

1. February 2024 Paper Kit: A Burst of Happiness

This kit is like a party in paper form! It's got 12 high-quality sheets with fun designs that'll make you smile. The "Happiness Is - All The Feels" and "Happiness Is - Be Amazing" themes are great for capturing awesome moments in your life.

Price: $20.95 USD

The February 2024 Paper Kit celebrates joy and positivity. It's perfect for documenting happy memories, achievements, and special moments that make you smile.

2. January 2024 Paper Kit: The Good Life Collection

Start the year with this "The Good Life" collection. These papers are great for creating pages about all the good stuff in your life. Whether it's family fun or personal wins, these patterns have got you covered.

Price: $20.95 USD

The Good Life Collection helps you focus on the positive parts of life. It's great for creating layouts about everyday joys, personal growth, and the little things that make life good.

3. December 2023 Paper Kit: Cozy Adventures

This Cozy Adventures collection will warm up your scrapbooks. It's packed with holiday-themed patterns perfect for winter wonderland photos and cozy family moments.

Price: $20.95 USD

The Cozy Adventures kit captures winter and holiday cheer. From snowflakes to warm plaids, these papers are great for holiday traditions and snowy day activities.

4. November 2023 Paper Kit: Feeling Jolly

Get ready to spread some cheer with the Feeling Jolly Paper Collection! These festive designs are perfect for all your holiday layouts, from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

Price: $20.95 USD

The Feeling Jolly collection captures the magic of the holiday season. It's great for documenting family gatherings, gift-giving moments, and other festive occasions.

5. October 2023 Paper Kit: Fall Vibes

Autumn lovers, this one's for you! The Fall Vibes kit is full of warm colors and cozy patterns for your fall memories. Think pumpkin patches, colorful leaves, and fun autumn activities.

Price: $20.95 USD

The Fall Vibes kit captures autumn with rich, warm colors and seasonal patterns. It's perfect for fall foliage photos, harvest festivals, and cozy autumn moments at home.

6. September 2023 Paper Kit: New Day Series

The New Day series is about fresh starts and new beginnings. These unique designs were created just for Hip Kit Club members. Use them to document your goals, dreams, or any new adventures you're starting.

Price: $20.95 USD

The New Day series is designed to inspire and motivate. It's great for documenting personal growth, new projects, and exciting changes in your life.

7. August 2023 Paper Kit: Sunshine & Lemonade

Summer's not over yet with this bright Sunshine & Lemonade kit! These papers are perfect for sunny day memories, beach trips, and backyard barbecues. Hip Kit Club members save 15% on additional kits, so you can stock up!

Price: $20.95 USD

The Sunshine & Lemonade kit brings summer to your scrapbooks. It's perfect for documenting warm-weather adventures, from pool parties to picnics.

8. Coordinating Cardstock

Every good scrapbooker needs solid colors to make patterns pop! Hip Kit Club offers coordinating cardstock kits. These are great for layering and creating mats for your photos and journaling.

The coordinating cardstock matches the patterned papers in each kit. It's perfect for die-cutting, stamping, and adding extra dimension to your pages.

9. Specialty Papers

Want to add extra pizzazz to your pages? Hip Kit Club sometimes includes specialty papers like vellum or glitter paper. These add awesome texture and shine to your layouts. 

Specialty papers can make your scrapbook layouts really cool. Vellum adds a soft, dreamy look, while glitter paper brings sparkle and excitement.

10. Digital Cut Files

For those who love using electronic cutting machines, Hip Kit Club offers exclusive digital cut files. These designs are versatile and can be used for both paper and digital scrapbooking. It's like getting an extra boost of creativity with your kit!

Digital cut files let you create custom titles, unique embellishments, and even custom backgrounds. They're a great way to stretch your kit and make one-of-a-kind pages.

Why Choose Hip Kit Club?

Hip Kit Club isn't just about pretty papers. Here's why scrapbookers love them:

• Coordinated monthly designs - everything matches!
• Exclusive patterns and embellishments you can't get anywhere else
• A friendly community to share ideas and get inspired
• High-quality materials that last
• Curated collections that take the guesswork out of design
• Regular inspiration from the design team on the Hip Kit Club blog

 

Making the Most of Your Patterned Papers

Now that you've got all these cool papers, here are some tips to use them:

• Layer different patterns for a fun, textured look
• Mix and match patterns - don't be afraid to get creative!
• Use digital cut files to create custom shapes from your favorite papers
• Try fussy cutting to create unique embellishments from patterned papers
• Use patterned papers as photo mats to add interest to your layouts
• Create your own embellishments by punching shapes from coordinating papers

For more scrapbooking tips and tricks, check out the Hip Kit Club blog. They're always sharing new ideas!

Ready to Get Crafty?

Hip Kit Club's patterned papers are like a box of crayons for grown-ups - they make scrapbooking fun! With their monthly kits, you'll always have fresh, matching supplies to play with. No more hunting for papers that match or running out of ideas.

Each kit is designed to inspire your creativity and make scrapbooking enjoyable. Whether you're experienced or just starting out, Hip Kit Club's patterned papers and matching elements will help you create beautiful layouts that capture your memories.

Want to join the Hip Kit Club family? Head over to their subscription page and get ready for a monthly dose of scrapbooking awesomeness delivered to your door. Happy scrapping!

How to Choose Patterned Paper for Your Project

Choosing the right patterned paper can make or break a scrapbook layout. Start by considering your photos — the paper should complement your images without competing for attention. Neutral patterns like subtle dots, stripes, or wood grain work beautifully as backgrounds, while bold florals and geometric prints shine as accent pieces or matting.

Paper weight matters more than most beginners realize. For base layers and backgrounds, reach for heavier cardstock-weight patterned paper (around 80-100 lb) that won't buckle under adhesive and embellishments. For layering, die cutting, and paper piecing, lighter weight patterned paper (around 60-65 lb) gives you flexibility without adding bulk.

Always choose acid-free, lignin-free paper for memory keeping. Acidic paper yellows over time and can damage your photographs. Every paper in Hip Kit Club's patterned paper kits is archival quality, so your layouts stay vibrant for generations.

When building a layout, try the 60/30/10 rule: 60% neutral or subtle pattern, 30% supporting pattern, and 10% bold accent. This creates visual harmony while keeping your photos as the focal point. Coordinated paper collections — like those in our monthly kits — take the guesswork out of pattern mixing because every sheet is designed to work together.

Best Paper for Scrapbooking by Type

Not all scrapbooking paper is created equal. Each type has specific strengths depending on your project needs.

Paper Type	Best For	Weight	Common Uses	Tip
Cardstock	Base layers, matting	80-110 lb	Page bases, photo mats, die cuts	Smooth cardstock scores more cleanly; textured adds dimension
Patterned Paper	Backgrounds, accents	60-65 lb	Layering, borders, paper strips	Mix no more than 3 patterns per layout for a cohesive look
Specialty Paper	Focal points, accents	Varies	Foil accents, glitter highlights, embossed textures	Use sparingly — a little specialty paper goes a long way
Vellum	Overlays, journaling	29-48 lb	Translucent layers, printed sentiments, envelope pockets	Use dry adhesive only — wet glue shows through vellum

Paper Weight and Quality Guide

Paper weight is measured in either GSM (grams per square meter) or pounds (lb). In scrapbooking, you'll most commonly encounter paper between 65 lb (176 gsm) and 110 lb (300 gsm). Standard patterned paper is typically 65 lb — flexible enough for layering but sturdy enough to hold its shape. Cardstock ranges from 80-110 lb and provides the structural backbone of your layouts.

Archival quality means the paper is both acid-free (pH neutral or slightly alkaline) and lignin-free. Lignin is the natural compound in wood pulp that causes paper to yellow and become brittle over time — think of how newspaper degrades. Quality scrapbook paper removes lignin during manufacturing, ensuring your pages look as fresh in 50 years as they do today.

When shopping for paper, look for these indicators of quality: consistent color saturation on both sides, clean edges without fraying, and accurate pattern registration (designs printed in perfect alignment). Premium brands print on both sides of patterned paper, giving you twice the design options from a single sheet. Our curated paper kits feature only archival-quality paper from trusted brands like American Crafts, Pinkfresh Studio, and Vicki Boutin.

Patterned Paper Crafts for Kids

Patterned scrapbook paper is a fantastic crafting material for children — it's colorful, easy to cut, and the pre-printed designs give young crafters a head start on making something beautiful. Here are creative project ideas the whole family can enjoy:

• Paper chains and garlands — Cut strips of coordinating patterned paper and loop them into chains for birthday parties, holiday decorations, or bedroom decor. Kids practice scissor skills while creating something they can proudly display.
• Custom bookmarks — Cut paper into 2x6-inch strips, layer two patterns together, and laminate or cover with clear contact paper. Add a ribbon tassel through a hole punch at the top for a polished finish.
• Collage art — Tear (not cut!) patterned paper into pieces and arrange them on cardstock to create landscapes, animals, or abstract art. Tearing adds organic texture that kids love, and there's no wrong way to do it.
• Paper flowers — Trace and cut flower shapes from patterned paper, layer 3-4 sizes together, and attach with a brad in the center. These look gorgeous on cards, scrapbook pages, or as a bouquet in a mason jar.
• Handmade gift tags — Cut small rectangles or use a tag die cut, punch a hole, and string with twine. Kids can personalize each tag with stickers and stamps for birthdays, holidays, or just-because gifts.
• Greeting cards — Fold cardstock in half and let kids decorate the front with patterned paper pieces, stickers, and their own drawings. Grandparents, teachers, and friends love receiving handmade cards.

For more project inspiration and beginner-friendly crafting tips, explore our guides and tutorials designed to make paper crafting approachable for every age and skill level.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best paper for scrapbooking?
The best paper for scrapbooking is acid-free, lignin-free cardstock (80-110 lb) for base pages and photo matting, paired with coordinating patterned paper (60-65 lb) for layering and accents. Archival quality is essential — it prevents yellowing and protects your photos over decades.

Can you use patterned paper for card making?
Absolutely! Patterned paper is one of the most popular materials for handmade cards. Use heavier cardstock as your card base and layer patterned paper on top for backgrounds, accent panels, and decorative strips. The coordinated patterns in scrapbook paper collections make it easy to create polished, professional-looking cards.

What weight paper is best for scrapbooking?
For layout backgrounds and photo mats, use cardstock between 80-110 lb (216-300 gsm). For layering and decorative elements, standard patterned paper at 60-65 lb (160-176 gsm) works perfectly. Avoid anything lighter than 60 lb for scrapbooking as it tends to wrinkle under adhesive.

How do you choose patterned paper for paper decorations?
Start with your color palette and work outward. Pick 2-3 colors that match your theme, then choose patterns in varying scales — one large print, one medium, and one small or subtle. This creates visual interest without clashing. Double-sided patterned paper is especially versatile for paper decorations since you can show different patterns on each side.

Is scrapbook paper the same as cardstock?
Not exactly. Cardstock is a heavy, solid-colored paper used as a structural base. Scrapbook paper (often called patterned paper) is typically lighter weight with printed designs on one or both sides. Most scrapbook layouts use both — cardstock for the foundation and patterned paper for the decorative elements layered on top.