Tag Archives: albums

Ring Bound Albums versus Post Bound Albums

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There are so many types of scrapbook albums on the market that is can be confusing!  There are several ways that pages can be bound, yet the two we tend to see most often are ring bound and post bound.

You may want to consider using ring binder albums as opposed to post bound.  Two of the greatest benefits of using a ring bound albums are:

  1. They allow you to insert pages where you want them, or easily rearrange them. (Especially nice when you are not scrapping in a chronological order.)
  2. They also allow you to mix different sized pages within the same album.  Being able to use different size pages within a single album can also add visual interest by having various sized pages, besides giving you the freedom to quickly scrap an 8×8 page or a 6×12 page to put in your album.  Different size page protectors are also great for adding other media as well, making it truly a scrapbook.

Notice how there are different sized items included; even a card has been punched and included right in the rings.
Photo credit: Bunches and Bits {Karina}, Flickr.com

Post Bound albums are more durable in some respects.   People sometimes have problems with the rings in ring bound getting all out of whack, especially when an album becomes very full and you have a lot of weight in pages you are turning.  Of course, there are levels of quality just as in most things.  A better made album will tend to give you less trouble with it’s ring mountings.

If you use a post bound album that is filled with page protector that you slip your pages into, it is going to be a lot easier to swap pages around if you need to.  Otherwise, an album that is filled with paper pages and you slip a protector over the page will not be as easy to swap pages around without having to disassemble the album so that you can take pages off the posts and reorder them.

Once you fill a post bound album, and need more room, you can buy add on posts and increase the number of pages you can use.  It is a little time consuming, but it is not difficult.

One thing some people don’t like about ring bound albums is the space that is left between open pages.  A double page spread that you create may not be quite the same cohesive feel that you get when the pages are right next to each other with virtually no space between them.

In the end, you’ll probably have scrapbooks bound by posts, rings, ribbons, staples, or who knows what!  Just don’t let album selection stand in your way of just getting something accomplished.  You can find a great article by Jill Davis about “albumology” and find out more specifics about different types of albums.

What’s your favorite type of album?  Do you have different types you use for different purposes!  Please share your thoughts with us!

Rethink the Size of Your Scrapbook

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Welcome to the third post in this series on ways to get more scrapbooking done. Whether it’s a little tweek to how we think about something, or actually changing the physical items we are using, we are looking at ways to move forward to get more pages completed!

Let’s move on to Step 3: Does Size Matter for Your Scrapbook?  Some people find that it is much easier to create scrapbooks from smaller sized pages.  They don’t feel the need to use as many photos per page as possible, to get the most bang for their buck, so to speak.  Other people also find it easier to design on smaller pages.  If you find it takes you forever to create a 12×12 page, try 8 1/2 x 11, or 8×8.  Don’t forget 6×6 albums which can really help you scrap even more quickly!  You may even think about using a method some call progressive scrapbooking.

You may even like to do mini-books for events such as birthdays, weddings, holidays and that’s perfectly fine.  One of the most important things to remember is that there is no “right way” to scrapbook.  It’s all about preserving memories!  So, whatever size scrapbook is more comfortable for you to work in, you may decide to make that your go-to size.

No matter what your favorite size album to work in, you’ll want to take into consideration what you will be doing with the album.  Are you are working to put it together as a heritage album and a large album will give you a lot of room to work in?  Do you only have a handful of photos of a special event and you are going to put them together and give the book away as a gift?  Or are you working on an up-to-date, day to day album of your current life and events?  It’s okay to use different sized albums!

Flickr photo credit: Bunches and Bits {Karina}

If you are working on projects in which you are documenting your current life, such as Ali Edward’s project, Week in the Life, a documentary project to capture the simple everyday details of your life with photos and words each week, you’ll want to take into consideration being able to keep up!  You may find it easier to keep up with a two page layout of the week if you are using an 8.5×11 page size as opposed to 12×12.

Many people are using the page protectors which are divided into sections, allowing you to slip pictures, journal cards, etc. into each pocket; especially those who are participating in the widely popular Project Life.  Becky Higgins has a line of product available for Project Life, and many other places are carrying similar products. The little pockets on these protectors can hold little embellishments or other little items and in a way can sometimes be tiny pages on their own!

Stop back in for our discussion of Step 4: Ring Bound vs. Post Bound

Thank you for stopping in.  Tell us about your favorite size pages to scrapbook in!

Disclaimer: I am not being compensated for any product lines mentioned in this post.