My previous post about purchasing marked down leather scrapbooks may have led you to believe that I don’t care much about the type of albums I use to house my layouts. This could not be further from the truth. The books weren’t cheap or ugly. Rather, they retailed for more than $40 each, but I snagged super savings by shopping at a post-holiday sale and using a coupon for an additional 20 percent off my total purchase.
Moreover, I enjoy working with leather albums, as they are extremely functional and durable. Leather scrapbooks are also aesthetically pleasing, and their sleek look complements a variety of scrapbook themes. In addition, leather yields itself to longevity. In fact, some of my oldest scrapbooks are leather and are still hanging in there after 20 years.
While there are dozens of different scrapbook albums to choose from, ultimately you have the final say as to what type you are most comfortable working with. There are no bad albums, save for the ones that are not made with acid-free or lignin-free paper. Your goal is to find a book that is of archival quality and to stay away from magnetic photo albums that have built-in adhesives.
In regards to the album’s structure, you can choose between post-bound, three-ring, strap-hinge, and spiral-bound. I prefer post-bound because I am familiar with its post and screw system. However, many beginner scrapbookers like the ease of using three-ring albums which are reminiscent of school binders. The downside to these types of scrapbook albums is that you need to purchase new ones once the rings are full. Spiral-bound books are also relatively inexpensive, but they typically don’t come with plastic page protectors.
Finally, scrapbook albums come in a variety of sizes, including: 12×12, 8 1/2 x11, 9×9, 8×8, 6×6, 4×4, and 3×3. Most scrapbookers select smaller albums if they are making brag books that they want to tote in their purses. The mid-sized books are generally used to craft themed projects, such as an ABC album or a “10 Reasons Why I Love You” book. The type of album you choose is entirely up to you; however, by keeping in mind your theme, size of photos, type of memorabilia and price point, you will be better able to narrow down your options.
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