If you are a scrapbooker, then you know that there are many, many types of albums on the market today. There are strap-bound albums, post-bound albums, binder albums, paper bag albums, spiral-bound albums and more. Then albums come in many different sizes! How do you know what album you need?
Once you have chosen your size, it is time to choose your type of album. Strap-bound albums hold the pages through rubber straps and a metal hinge that is attached to the scrapbook page. These tend to hold up very well and as long as the album is not over-filled, when you open the page, you will have a two-page spread that lays flat. This works very well when you want a design that spreads over two pages. However, if you need to change the order of the pages or add one in the middle of the book, you will have to disassemble the entire book. If you are using a post-bound scrapbook album, plan your pages carefully before you begin.
Post-bound scrapbook albums use metal posts to attach the pages to the album through holes in the edge of the page. When you open a post-bound album it will lay flat. The pages of the post-bound album are actually page protectors, where you slide your page in through the top of the album. This means if you need to re-arrange, all you have to do is slide a few pages back out and re-arrange. You do not have to completely disassemble the album. Post-bound albums can be added to by screwing in a post extension.
After you are through with collecting your materials, you should begin reflecting on the type of decoration that should be included in the album. You must not go in for something very pricey. This will again depend on your taste and your budget. Remember that stickers are amongst the cheapest types of decorations on scrapbook albums. You can also cut out pieces of pictures or captions from magazines or rubber stamps. There are so many stickers that can be added. Your main aim is to make sure that they add to the beauty, not only in the appearance of your album, but in the message found in them.
You can make ABC scrapbooking albums very simply if you just get creative with your words and phrases, and make sure to include that particular letter throughout the page. Mix up your lettering style from large block letters to script style. If you get stuck on certain letters, such as X, Q or Z, don't hesitate to cheat a little and check the dictionary, or take some creative license. X can be "x-tra special" or "x-cellent." After all, the entire point of any scrapbooking project is to be creative and whimsical.
