If paper is the brick that forms the building of a scrapbook, then albums are the cornerstone. Smart scrapbookers choose their albums with care and are not satisfied with anything other than the best of what will work for them. In this article, I’ll discuss the two main types of scrapbook albums and some of the subtypes.
If you’re the kind of person who always likes to rearrange things as you go or even expand sections as the whimsy leads you, consider getting on of the expandable album types. With expandable albums, you will be able to rearrange, remove, and add pages and sections at will. There are a few key subtypes of expandable scrapbook albums. The first is a post-bound album. This album is held together using post screws and have some advantages. First, they tend to lie flat when opened completely, and second, pages tend to be standard and interchangeable between different brands. Strap hinge expandable scrapbook albums tend to be a little more expansive than post-bound albums, but are very durable. Pages also lie flat on strap hinge albums. Three-ring binders are the most inexpensive form of expandable scrapbooks. You can get three-ring binders that lie flat (D-shape rings) or not (regular ring shape).
The next major type of scrapbook album is the bound album. These offer less freedom of movement, but can make your scrapbook look much more professionally done than expandable scrapbooks can. Spiral bound scrapbook albums are relatively inexpensive and lie very flat. Leather bound scrapbook albums are a bound album subtype which looks very elegant and can make a high-end gift for someone, if you wish. There are also pre-designed bound albums which are centered around a specific theme.
Whatever album you choose, make sure it is one that you truly like. After all, this scrapbook and you will become good friends over the time that you fill it with your memories and mementos.
