Choosing an album can be overwhelming.
Do I need a neat spiral trim, or is a strap-hinge album a better fit? What about a post-bound album? Are they sturdy?
When considering which album is appropriate for your project, think first about it's purpose. Is it a gift album? A personal album? A baby book? A family album?
Usually, the type of album you are creating determines the size and binding of the album you choose.
For example, when creating a gift album you do not plan to continually add pages. In this case, it is appropriate to choose an album with a fixed number of pages, such as a spiral album, or other photo-safe gift album. However, if you are designing a family album, where you will want to add pages as the years go by, choose an expandable binding, such as a post-bound or strap-hinge album.
Use this album guide to learn about the common types of scrapbook album bindings, and tips about each.
- Binder
Binders are very handy scrapbook albums. Because of their 3-rings, it's easy to add pages and move them around. Make sure you choose a binder that is the appropriate size. If you're like me, you like to recycle. As I cleaned out my magnetic albums, I thought it would be easy to add safe pocket pages and refill with photos. Yet, what I found was that when the album closed, the pages stuck out the side. Be sure to choose a binder that will completely cover the pages you are using when the album is closed.
- Book-bound
Book-bound albums are usually dressier albums, and often look like a book. They are also commonly referred to as European-style albums, and many have vellum interleaving. Bound albums have a limited number of pages, but make excellent gifts. Also, they typically do not have page protectors and are not designed to lie flat, when opened, like other albums.
- Post-bound
Post-bound albums are the most popular scrapbook album style. Post-style albums are bound with 2 or 3 posts connecting the covers and pages through the binding edge. It is fairly simple to unscrew the posts and add or sort pages. For those who prefer a 12x12" album, one of the top benefits of post-bound albums is that most are made for true 12x12" papers - ie, you don't have to trim your paper to fit in a page protector. Most post-bound albums use top-loading page protectors.
You'll find many varieties of post-bound albums, and in a variety of sizes. Some of the smaller sizes, such as 6x6" or 8x8" make great gift albums.
Many post-bound album companies indicate that their albums accept unlimited refills. While this is true, it is not advisable. Over-filling a post-bound album causes it to become unstable. I created a large album full of precious photos for my mom. She toted it around, showing off her photos, but during one trip, because it was so heavy and unstable, both covers ripped off at the post holes. Therefore, I recommend no more than 30 pages or so, then begin a new album.
- Spiral
Spiral albums are those bound with a spiral through the binding edge. For the most part, spiral albums have a fixed number of pages, and pages can not be moved around. Thus, it is important to plan your pages before you begin the album. Make sure you are taking into account the total number of pages you plan to scrap and in what order, to be sure it fits in the album. It's easy enough to remove extra pages, but not possible to add pages.
Spiral albums also make great gift albums.
- Strap-hinge
Strap-hinge albums are the second most popular album. Strap-hinge albums are bound with a plastic strap that connects the covers and pages through a staple on the page binding. Fastening the binding can be tricky at first, as you want the straps tight to ensure a good album fit. But when you get the hang of it, it's easy enough to add pages and move them around. Most strap-hinge albums use pages that have a reinforced edge. This is handy, as it provides better page protection against wear-and-tear. Side-load page protectors then slip over the completed page for extra protection.
Some do not prefer strap-hinge albums, as the pages are not true 12x12", and therefore any paper you use as a background must be trimmed slightly to fit on the page. Your choice may depend on whether you prefer the sturdiness of a strap-hinge binding and like the reinforced edges. If you typically use white backgrounds, you may not mind that the page is not sized at exactly 12x12".
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