Teresa here… Oh can I just tell you how overwhelming it was for me when I first started digiscrapping to keep track of what I was using and from where! I rarely posted to online galleries because I could not keep up with what was what and from where. If I did post, I usually had to add a disclaimer that I did not have full credits listed.

It’s funny to remember that time. I have gone through a few systems since then but just recently was told about one that was too easy too be true. Well it does not do it for you which wouldn’t that be great! You drag an element in and there was a way that a log began keeping all of it there for you? For now that is too good to be true but if any Photoshop programmers are reading, there is an upgrade to add to CS4.
So my first attempts were to keep a pad and write what I was using as I made the layout… did not work for me. I write slower than I type and then the pad gets picked up by my sweet girls, you get the picture. Then I tried keeping open the file to go back when the layout was finished and I would then type out everything I was using in that layout and load it to the gallery and that would be my supply credits file. That worked for me for a while with one little change… because I could not always finish a layout in one sitting. I would email myself and keep track of everything I was using. I thought I had the best system possible and aside from a filling up email box, it was working great.

Then, two weeks ago, a designer that I was creating a layout for casually mentioned that she always likes to keep the credits in the info file with the layout. Well I had no details of where that was exactly but I was curious and had to know what this info section looked like! Two days later I found it in Photoshop and am loving it! So do you want to know where it is? A way for you to keep a running list right there with the layout, where it will STAY with the layout.

Go to File and then File Info…

then right there is a box with categories for all sorts of organizing fun!

In description, as I add elements, papers, anything to my layout that I need to give proper credit for, I type it in before I start playing with it and when I am finished, I do not have the drudgery of picking out all the different things that need credit… it is there and ready for me to copy and paste as I post to galleries.

So the designers that put in all the hard work to make these incredible goodies for us to use will be happy getting the credit they sooo deserve. You will be happy too having that right there with your layout file AND when you see that magazine call that is just perfect for one of your layouts, you can enter knowing you are submitting a full list of the products used and will have fun seeing that in one of your favorite scrapping magazines or e-zines.

Tell us any tricks you have for keeping up with credits. What works best for you? We look forward to hearing about it! There is a thread HERE to share or comment here on the blog.

Thanks for stopping by,