There are many things to consider when you decided to get those pictures out of that old shoe box and into your very own scrapbook. With so many different techniques, designs, and elements you can add to your scrapbook pages this little hobby is quickly turning into an art form all of its own. How to design the page, what type of layout to use, which pictures to choose from, color schemes, and choosing the best paper for your scrapbook are all parts of the scrapbooking process. This article will give you some helpful tips on how to choose the best paper for your scrapbook needs and give you some other small scrapbooking tips that can help make your page everything you want it to be.
Basics about scrapbook paper
The paper you choose for your scrapbook page creates the background for your photos and can bring life to your scrapbook page and create lasting memories. It is the connecting and fastening element in your scrapbook and thus so should be considered carefully and with much thought. If you want your scrapbook pages to last for years then you have to be careful about what kind of paper you use in your book. There are some basic elements you should look for when you’re buying paper to store your precious memories.
What to look for in your paper
1.Acid free and lignen free. Although most scrapbook stores only carry these types of paper it’s always a good idea to check the package to make sure that this is the kind of paper you are buying, or to ask an employee if all their paper is acid free and lignen free. You’re fairly safe shopping at craft and scrapbook stores but if you get your paper at large chain stores such as a Wal-Mart or Target you have to be careful that you’re buying the right kind of paper. Buying acid free and lignen free will keep your pages in tact longer and resist fading more so than if they were not. They also help keep your pictures safe from further damage.
2.Durability. Even though you find cheap paper somewhere it may not necessarily be the best buy. Cheap paper is not always the best paper to use when it comes to scrapbooking. After all these are your memories your scrapbooking. Durability is one of those “must haves” when it comes to scrapbook paper. You want to find paper that is thicker than your average writing or computer paper so it will resist tearing and other things when handled. Cardstock is always a good choice for background paper because it is much heavier than other paper.
3.Colors. Your color scheme is always important when you scrapbook so look for colors that coordinate with one another. One of the best and easiest ways to find coordinating and complimentary colors is to buy a color wheel. It takes the guess work out of finding the right color paper and makes your trip to the store much faster.
4.Quality. Another aspect to look for when shopping around for scrapbook paper is the quality of paper you are buying. There are definitely some cheaper, generic brands out there to use but you have to take in to consideration how well they will hold up over the years. There are many brands to choose from that are acid and lignen free and will give you a much better quality paper than some of the generic brands.
5.Price. Price will always play a part in what papers you buy for your scrapbook pages. You don’t have to spend a ton of money on your paper to make the page look great. Don’t go for the most expensive or the cheapest. Look for the middle ground price when you’re shopping around for your paper. It will be good quality at a good price; what more can you ask for.
As you can see there are many things to consider when buying paper. Quality and price are probably the two most important things as well as your personal preference. Sometimes you have to splurge because you know that those expensive papers will look great, but keep in mind there will be other pages to scrapbook so don’t blow all your money on one page.