Scrapbooking is a method for preserving a legacy of written history in the form of photographs, printed media, and memorabillia contained in decorated albums, or scrapbooks. Historically, scrapbooking was a tradition similar to storytelling, but with a visual and tactile, rather than oral, focus.

An example of a modern scrapbook layoutScrapbooking as a hobby has taken off in recent years largely due to multi-level marketing enterprises such as Creative Memories. It is now a multi-billion dollar industry with a large number of companies creating scrapbooking products. Across the world, "scrappers" or "scrapbookers" get together and scrapbook at each other's homes, local scrapbook stores, scrapbooking conventions, retreat centers, and even on cruises. Scrappers share tips and ideas as well as enjoying a social outlet. The term "crop" was coined to describe these events, a reference to cropping, or trimming, printed photographs. This hobby has surpassed golf in popularity: one in four households has someone playing golf; one in three has someone involved in scrapbooking.

Modern scrapbooking is done largely on 12"×12" or 8½×11" pages. More recently smaller albums have become very popular. The most common new formats are 6"×6", 7" x 7", or 8"×8". Various accessories, referred to as "embellishments," are used to decorate scrapbook pages. Embellishments include stickers, die cuts, fancy lettering and trinkets to decorate and personalize each page.

As an industry, it is young, with many new players entering the market to serve various niches. There are several scrapbooking magazines, and even entire shows and infomercials dedicated to selling products related to the hobby.

Originally, it was hard to find scrapbooking supplies, but now most major discount stores and almost all major craft supply stores stock them. Local scrapbook stores (LSSs) are considered the heart and soul of the hobby of scrapbooking by some enthusiasts. It is at LSSs where one can attend classes and find out where the best "crops" are. Supplies can also be ordered online. Scrapbooking is not only a hobby to create a place for one's keepsakes, but also has become a popular way to make gifts for weddings and other special occasions.