There are two basic characteristics of any scrapbooking album: size and binding. Scrapbook albums come in many different sizes ranging from mini (3.5”x5” or 5”x7”) to oversized (12”x12” or 12”x15”). The most common sizes are: 5”x7”, 8.5”x11”, and 12”x12”. Choose the size based on the number of photos you plan to archive in the album.
Second, consider the various bindings. Popular bindings include: strap-hinge, post-bound, spiral, and 3-ring. There are advantages and disadvantages to each; it is best to evaluate your needs before committing to a binding. Post-bound and 3-ring allow you to change the order of the pages in the book, whereas strap-hinge and spiral give a more “finished” look, but the pages must remain in whatever order they were created in.
Always check that your album is archival safe, acid-free, and lignin-free, and that you are able to order page refills and page protectors.
The adhesive choices for scrapbookers are nearly limitless these days. The only rule is acid-free and lignin-free. Popular adhesives include glue sticks, glue pens, tape runners, photo corners, sticky dots, and photo tabs. You may also choose to sew on your pages, thread is perfectly safe for your albums and makes a wonderful embellishment!
Pens must be permanent and contain acid-free ink. For every person, there is a pen, so really test the pens out and make sure that it is comfortable for you before buying. A good black pen is a must, and an entire set of black pens with various tip sizes is a great start. Then there are gel pens for writing on dark paper, and colored pens and pencils for creativity, start simple, and build your collection over time.
A good pair of scissors is a necessity in scrapbooking. The micro-tip variety is particularly helpful when cutting small pieces, and a long blade makes straight cuts easier. Like pens, scissor choice is highly individual.
Rulers are used to provide a straight cutting edge as well as measuring mats, photos, borders, and getting all the lines straight for journaling. Keep it handy at all times; you may be surprised how much you use such a simple tool.
Paper is the “cream” material in scrapbooking. There is so much to choose from: cardstock in hundreds of colors, patterned papers, vellum, mulberry, and even velvet paper. At a minimum, keep a good selection of cardstock on hand for matting and giving your layouts color. Paper is to the scrapbooker what fabric is to the quilter.
1.) Make sure you have doubles and/or negatives for all the photos you plan to scrapbook.
2.) Look in someone else’s album, an idea book, online, or take a class to get an idea of basic composition ideas.
3.) Don’t forget to leave room for journaling – your written memories are just as important as the photos.
4.) Gather any pertinent memorabilia.
5.) Try running your idea past a seasoned scrapper before finalizing your very first layout.
6.) Don’t be nervous, as long as you have doubles, you can always go back and redo any page.
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