The Importance of Credits

[jennmurphy]

This a post by Yvonne that I love and wanted to re-post for any new scrappers out there or anyone who would like a refresher!

The importance of Credits

Hi there, I stole this from AmyPunky from Scrapartist. This was so perfectly worded, that I just had to use it as is.

I'd like to start a little reflection about the importance of credits in digital scrapbooking. I know that everything goes fast now, the trends, the galleries, the products... but it doesn't mean that we have to forget some important rules of this fabulous hobby.

And one of the major rules of this hobby is to give proper credits when you post your layouts. I've seen a few layouts in galleries with no credits, or scraplifts with credits that didn't mention the inspiration of the layout.

I know it's flattering to be the first person who had a brilliant idea but it's also a wonderful reward and an honour to see you credited correctly when you're that first person and when people gets the inspiration from you.

Plus, I'm sure there are also a lof of new scrappers who have just been starting this hobby and don't know much about crediting.

So, here are some tips to give proper credits when you are posting your layouts!

1. Make a list of all the products you've used on your layout, even the tiniest button. LOL!

Bonus tip: You can use Word, TextEdit (for Mac)... to list all your stuff.

Other bonus tip: Don't write your credits when you've closed your file and when you're ready to post it in the galleries, you'll probably forget the major part of the stuff you used. LOL! It's better to write the credits when you're working on your layout OR just after finishing it.

2. Write the whole name of the designer, the name of the kit. You can add links to products BUT only if the gallery guidelines allow it.

3. If you used a product and don't remember the name of the designer, tell it in your credits. Maybe another scrapper will recognize it and help you to complete your credits.

4. If you're doing a scraplift of a layout, please credit the name of the artist you are scraplifting! You should also mention the name of her layout and provide a link to the original layout if the site guidelines permit it.

5. A nice thing to do is to write a PM or email the scrapper you have lifted with a link to your own layout. It's always very gratifying to be scraplifted and the person will appreciate your gesture.

6. Freebies need to be credited too! When you use a freebie on your page, please credit the designer of the freebie. Designing freebies asks a lot of work, so the least you can do is to give proper credits.

7. Don't forget to credit the fonts, alphas and actions used on your layout.

That's it!! Feel free to add your own tips if you think of other ones!!

Thanks for reading me!!

Here are a few tips for making credits easy:

Another tip for PS users, you can use Notes in PS to add your credits right into you psd! It's kind of nice to have everything all together right as you are putting it together.

I use PSE and add a text layer with the credit info right in my layout. I just simply turn the visibility off and save so the info is right in my .psd file and I don't have to search later!

[Yvonne]

Thank you SO MUCH Jenn! You are the bomb diggity!

[blondy]

I do the same thing for all my layouts. I make a text layer that lists all credits for the page. I always put this layer on top and make it invisible when I save my page. That way when I post to a gallery, I just copy and paste the credits. This is also very helpful if I need to look back to an old layout to see what kit I got a particular element from. This sure makes it a lot easier to keep track of things!

[Victoria Feemster]

I'm bad about remembering the fonts and to credit those. Thanks for the reminder!

[ElaineTherese]

Thanks! I love the tip about listing everything in a Text Layer while working on the page
I will be doing that going forward!

[Peaceful Angel]

I put them in a separate txt file and use Image Information in PSP. Using it in layers sounds like the simplest way so I can make sure I have it written down somewhere before saving it. LOTS of times, I'll have forgotten a credit somewhere and have to backtrack. Thanks for the tip!

[nvr.4.gtn]

eat tips!

[DanosPookie]

Thanks for the tips.

[geswho40]

Thanks for posting Jenn!

[JaneAgain]

You can also put a list of credits in the "File Info" section in Photoshop. It's under the File Menu (in CS4, anyways). That's what I do.

Thanks for the reminder!