Part 2: What Is a Scrapbook?
A scrapbook is a binder whose pages contain some combination of photographs, text, embellishments, and other memorabilia. Pages may be made from bare paper, cardstock, or other materials. Often the materials are held inside clear page protectors. The combination of images and written commentary, and the presence of additional decorations, distinguish a scrapbook from an ordinary photo album.
The two main physical aspects of a scrapbook are 1) size and 2) binding. The most popular size of scrapbook album is 12 x 12”; however, 8½ x 11” has its fervent fans. Smaller sizes like 5 x 8” are popular for gift albums as well. Scrappers who like 8½ x 11” albums say the supplies and albums are cheaper, though some stores are now phasing out the smaller size paper. Computer journaling can easily be done directly on the standard size paper, and most scanners are 8½ x 11” so these pages are more easily shared online.
I prefer 8½ x 11” for scrapbooking my poetry. Michelle Benedicta uses 12 x 12” albums because she prefers the larger, square page for its design possibilities. She scraps mostly memorabilia, much of which is 8½ x 11” already, and the larger size provides a larger canvas on which to mount those items. 12 x 12” pages also hold more photos, so more photos can fit into a single album. Also, sometimes it’s easier to stare at a blank page waiting for inspiration if it’s a smaller size. Choosing simply comes down to personal preference and intended purpose.
As for binding, there are post-bound, wire-bound, three-ring, strap style, and book binding. Again, each has its pros and cons. Wire-bound albums are great for finite topics (such as a trip) or for gifts. But they don’t allow you to move pages around or to easily take pages out if you’d like to scan them. Ring albums using top-loading page protectors offer perhaps the greatest flexibility, but to some people they feel too similar to school notebooks. Side-loading page protectors are also available. Many people say the strap style albums are the sturdiest and the most protective of your items. Strap and post albums usually offer the most ornate covers, too.
Michelle Benedicta uses wire-bound albums because she likes how the book lies flat when opened. More than once, though, she has wished she could rearrange the pages. Because she scraps memorabilia such as invitations, cards, and brochures, she doesn’t use page protectors. She wants people to be able to open the cards and read the contents.
Conversely, I prefer three-ring binders filled with page protectors. They are much cheaper than specialty scrapbook albums, usually less than $5 (compared to $20 or more for an album). They’re also easy to use; the strap and post style albums can be pesky when you want to add or move pages. Often I buy presentation binders with clear sleeves to hold cover and spine inserts. Other times I have found fancy binders intended for use as photograph albums. So you can see how different choices work for different people.
The two main physical aspects of a scrapbook are 1) size and 2) binding. The most popular size of scrapbook album is 12 x 12”; however, 8½ x 11” has its fervent fans. Smaller sizes like 5 x 8” are popular for gift albums as well. Scrappers who like 8½ x 11” albums say the supplies and albums are cheaper, though some stores are now phasing out the smaller size paper. Computer journaling can easily be done directly on the standard size paper, and most scanners are 8½ x 11” so these pages are more easily shared online.
I prefer 8½ x 11” for scrapbooking my poetry. Michelle Benedicta uses 12 x 12” albums because she prefers the larger, square page for its design possibilities. She scraps mostly memorabilia, much of which is 8½ x 11” already, and the larger size provides a larger canvas on which to mount those items. 12 x 12” pages also hold more photos, so more photos can fit into a single album. Also, sometimes it’s easier to stare at a blank page waiting for inspiration if it’s a smaller size. Choosing simply comes down to personal preference and intended purpose.
As for binding, there are post-bound, wire-bound, three-ring, strap style, and book binding. Again, each has its pros and cons. Wire-bound albums are great for finite topics (such as a trip) or for gifts. But they don’t allow you to move pages around or to easily take pages out if you’d like to scan them. Ring albums using top-loading page protectors offer perhaps the greatest flexibility, but to some people they feel too similar to school notebooks. Side-loading page protectors are also available. Many people say the strap style albums are the sturdiest and the most protective of your items. Strap and post albums usually offer the most ornate covers, too.
Michelle Benedicta uses wire-bound albums because she likes how the book lies flat when opened. More than once, though, she has wished she could rearrange the pages. Because she scraps memorabilia such as invitations, cards, and brochures, she doesn’t use page protectors. She wants people to be able to open the cards and read the contents.
Conversely, I prefer three-ring binders filled with page protectors. They are much cheaper than specialty scrapbook albums, usually less than $5 (compared to $20 or more for an album). They’re also easy to use; the strap and post style albums can be pesky when you want to add or move pages. Often I buy presentation binders with clear sleeves to hold cover and spine inserts. Other times I have found fancy binders intended for use as photograph albums. So you can see how different choices work for different people.
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