Types of Scrapbooking Albums
There are many different types of scrapbooking albums to
choose
from,
and it can be very intimidating if you
don't know anything about
them or
what the differences are. You can
now buy scrapbooks in all
different
sizes. The most common sizes are
12"x12" and 8.5"x11". If
you stick
with these sizes, you won't have any trouble finding
background papers and sheet protectors at the store. Even
the major
chain discount stores are starting to carry scrapbook
supplies.
different size scrapbooks
If you
choose another size album, you
may have to go to a specialty scrapbook
store to find papers to fit. These albums are usually smaller
and cute
to give away as a special gift or to scrapbook a special occasion.

What are the pros and cons between
a 12”x12” and 8.5”x11”
types of scrapbooking albums? 12”x12” are becoming much
more popular these days. I have found that there are more
decorative background papers in these sizes than the
8.5”x11”. You can also fit more photos on
a page. 8.5”x11” albums can
be more economical though. The background papers are less
expensive
because they are smaller. You can get away with buying
regular sheet
protectors sold in the office supply
store instead of special 12”x12”
12"x12"
scrapbook album
scrapbook sheet protectors. You can
also use a regular three-ring
photo album to hold your 8.5”x11” pages, which are
inexpensive. They
also stand up and store nicely on a bookshelf when they are this
size.
There are advantages to both types, so ultimately it is a matter of
personal preference.
Besides the size, you will also need to
consider what type of pages the scrapbook holds. The three
most common
are to have a three ring binder scrapbook, a post-bound scrapbook with
top-loading pages, or a scrapbook bound with non-removable pages,
without any sheet protectors.
The most economical type
scrapbook is the three ring binder type. Pages can be added
at any
time easily, and placed within the middle of the album. You
can use
regular acid-free photo safe sheet protectors as the pages and just
slip your completed page into the protective sleeve. The
disadvantage
is that for a two page layout you will have a gap where the rings are,
so the layout will not be seamless.
three ring binder scrapbook
There is a
gap between the two pages and the three
ring binder can be seen with this scrapbook.
Post bound scrapbooks are a nice choice. Pages can
also be added to
the middle of the scrapbook at any time, but it takes a little more
effort since the posts need to be unscrewed to add more pages within
the middle. The advantage to these books is when the
scrapbook is open
the two pages lay close to one another to create a near seamless two
page layout.
post-bound
scrapbook

seamless layout between the two pages
Scrapbooks already bound with non-removable pages usually do
not have
sheet protectors. The intention is to glue your photos and
embellishments right on to the page. The advantage is you can
use
bulkier embellishments, and you can use envelopes or tags that pull out
with additional journaling or photos. You can really get
creative
since a sheet protector is not limiting the reader's access to the
page. The disadvantage is obvious though... no sheet
protectors mean
photos can easily be ruined or embellishments can be torn off.
Not
being able to add pages means you will need to plan well and not make
any mistakes.