A template is a pre-set model that helps you make your own products. It is a ‘blank’ or guide that you can customize in some way. It can be in the form of text – for example writing or journal prompts. It can be in the form of page or book layouts. For those interested in printable crafts this generally means paper models.

In digital scrapbooking templates have also come to mean ready-to-use objects that you can build on or add to, like quick pages (12 inch by 12 inch pages that you only need to add your photos and journaling to), or else they can be layered so you can customize every piece on the page with your own scrapbooking papers and patterns.

A ‘sketch’ in digital scrapbooking terms has come to mean a visual aid in page layout. You can follow sketches as much or as little as you like. Most people use them as inspirational guidelines.

The most gorgeous site by far in my opinion for page templates is Page Maps. There are motivating layouts for different sized projects and even round ones that you could use old CD or DVD disks for. The Side Maps are sized for home printing and would really suit Journal Pages as well. There are 8 inch by 8 inch maps (mini Maps), and even ones for card making and tag making. They are accessible in PDF or JPG format. The best part? They're all free!

There are lots of great digital scrapbooking templates on the Internet that are free; it is just the looking for them can be very time consuming. A wonderful place to find them is the site of Ikea Goddess. This site has come to be known as one of ‘the’ places to find gorgeous, up to date, free scrapping goods. A preview is shown and a link provided to go get them.