The Guide for Scrapbook Newbies - Part 3: Page Protector Types

Tip 3 of our scrapbook guide points to the importance of using the right page protectors, and there are several keys you need to keep in mind:

1. Material type
2. Page protector finish
3. Top-loading or side-loading

Material Type
There are three types of materials that page protectors can be made from: Polyester or Mylar, Polypropylene, and Polyethylene.

Polyester or Mylar are the best materials to protect your photographs and artwork.  However, they are also the most expensive material to make page protectors from.  You're looking at around $1.50/page, and they are usually sold in packs of 10. 

Polypropylene is probably the most ideal type of page protector material, and is commonly used amongst scrapbook enthusiasts.  They are durable and reasonably priced.  Standard weight Polypropylene page protectors will work like a charm and if you want something even more durable, some brands offer them in heavyweight and super heavyweight polypropylene.  Keepfiling's scrapbook page protectors are all made from polypropylene. 

Polyethylene page protectors are the cheapest of the three.  They do just as good of a job when you need to organize your scrapbook contents.  However, the overall finish of the page protector is sometimes not as clean compared to polypropylene. 

Page Protector Finish
Although most scrapbookers will choose the clear page protectors because it obviously makes it much easier to see the contents, someone people do like to choose the non-glare because of it's subtle and subdue look.  This is merely a choice of preference but it's good to know that these options are available.  Visit our website for more information on clear versus non-glare.

Top-loading or Side-Loading
Again, this is really a choice of preference whether you like to load your pages from the side or from the top.  One advantage side-loading page protectors might have is that it will probably do a better job at preventing dusts from going into your pages as you keep your scrapbooks on shelves.

A Few General Rules:

• Always look for acid free page protectors as this helps to protect your contents. 
• STAY AWAY from magnetic, and vinyl page protectors (even if they are labelled acid free).  These page protectors will almost always destroy your photos and that is not what you need.  

Scrapbooking has changed tremendously over the years.  It started out as a simple pastime activity for moms, and has now turned into an art form that some people might even feel intimidated or overwhelmed to get into. If you are new to scrapbooking, we hope this quick guide put you into the right direction, or if you are an expert already we hope this reminds you some of the basics to scrapbooking.  There are tons of other sources online to learn about scrapbooking and as it is now an art form, there is no right or wrong to what you can do - so just be opened minded to what others have done and put them together with your own ideas!

Be sure to check out some of the page protectors we have available for scrapbooking on Keepfiling.

The Guide for Scrapbook Newbies - Part 2: Binder Types

Our first tip last week for scrapbook newbies was to point out to them the importance of knowing what their scrapbook is going to be for in order to pick out a size to use - whether it's a 8x10 mini photo album or a full 12x12 scrapbook, knowing the right size from the start will save you a lot of trouble down the road in creating your work.

The next thing you need to consider once you've picked a size is the type of binder and sheet protectors you want to use.  In terms of binders, there are several types out on the market today that you will find.

Ring Binders
Just like any typical ring binders you would use for office documents, these ring binders can also be used for scrapbooks.  They offer great flexibility and allows you to rearrange your pages by taking them out of the rings.  The rings used are often easy to open and close (no extra tools required), and sometimes are even equipped with boosters to make it even easier.  

Post-bound or Strap-hinge
These are basically 3 part binders - the front and back covers, and page protectors all held together by either posts (like screws) or hinges.  The page protectors are sandwiched in between the front and back cover and are screwed together on the side.  You are free to add or remove pages as you like depending on how many pages the books can hold.  This usually means you will have to unscrew the post or hinges either with a coin or a tool that they may or may not provide.

Booklets
Unlike ring binders and post-bound scrapbooks, these booklet type binders are confined to a certain number of pages - what you see if what you get.  You can't add extra or remove page protectors from the scrapbook as they are all wielded together on the edge.

1. Ring binders            |  2. Post-bound            |  3. Booklets

Which type to use?
The answer to this question will vary, again, based on what the scrapbook is for.  If you need flexibility to add and remove pages then for sure the ring and post-bound binders will work better for you.  When comparing those two, the ring binders will be easier to use because it does not require extra tools to open up the binding edges in order to add or remove pages.  Booklets are not recommended since you can't add extra pages if needed, but it is still sometimes a good choice because they tend to be thinner and some are of great quality that make them presentable. 

The Guide for Scrapbook Newbies - Part 1

By definition, a scrapbook is basically 'a book with blank pages to which you attach photographs, letters, newspaper stories, etc., that help you remember a person or time'.

People make scrapbooks for all sorts of reasons, whether it’s because they simply enjoy making them or because they wish to highlight and preserve moments in their lives that are happy or are proud of. To avid scrapbookers, scrapbooking is an art that requires a great deal of time and attention to details. On the other hand, to the average person, scrapbooking might just be a simple collection of photos in an album.

Regardless of whether you are an enthusiast or a first timer, there are a few general tips to help get you started. Of course if you’re an enthusiast you might already know these tips but it doesn’t hurt to go over them again right? For those newbies who wish to make their first scrapbook, these tips will help guide you through a few simple steps in order for you to make your first scrapbook.

Tip 1: Find the right size

Picking the right size to work with is tied to what you’re making the scrapbook for. As it is with anything you do, it is very important to know what the purpose is for what you're doing. Knowing what sort of documents you want to preserve or keep in your scrapbook will help determine what size of the book you should be working with. If it’s a simple scrapbook to preserve photos, maybe you just need a small 8x10 scrapbook. If you’re making a scrapbook for genealogy purposes, you might want to go with the 17x11 since that is the common since for genealogy documents.

If you are not sure of what size to use or if your scrapbook is going to have multiple sized items, then you may choose to use the typical 12 x 12 size. Most scrapbooks today are in the 12 x 12 size which is a nice square format to work with and you can easily get binders and sheet protectors of that size at any stationary store. However, there is no written rule that you must use a 12 x 12, as there are other various sizes like the larger 17 x 11 or 14 x 17, or smaller sizes like 8 x10, that are also great to work with. These sizes are typically harder to find, but of course we have them at Keepfiling – both binders and sheet protectors. You can visit our Scrapbook and Artwork Page to see which page protector sizes we carry ideal for scrapbooks.

Remember, when you are planning your scrapbook, the first important step is to have a clear idea of what it's going to be for as it will play a big part in helping you decide which size you will want to work with.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of our guide which will reveal our next tip!