Scrapbook Paper - Find the best scrapbooking paper and get great ideas for using scrapbook papers to enhance your photos!

Good quality scrapbook paper is essential if you want to archive your photos for posterity.  When preserving your treasured memories in scrapbook albums, you want to be sure that your precious photographs are kept safe and free from damage.  Scrapbooking paper should be acid-free and lignin free, as should any adhesives you choose to use to mount your pictures on the pages.  You should also make sure that your scrapbook papers are a suitable size to fit in your album, with enough space for all the photos you want to display on the page.  Planning your scrapbook layouts before you begin is a very worthwhile exercise.

Scrapbook paper usually comes in standard sizes, most commonly 12 x 12 or 8 x 8.  You’ll find that there’s a huge variety of colors and patterns to choose from, giving you the freedom to be as creative as you like.  Your choice of scrapbooking paper plays a crucial role in the appearance of your finished scrap book, influencing the style and mood.  For scrappers following a particular theme, such as making a heritage album to record a family tree, a wedding or a graduation book, there are loads of specially themed scrapbook papers.  These are often available in pre-packaged kits, along with other useful decorative materials such as stickers, stamps and frames.

Vellum scrapbook paper is handy because it’s translucent and can be used to give photos a matt finish.  Like other scrapbook papers, it can be printed on or annotated with rubber stamps.  If you’re into digital scrapbooking or simply own a computer, you may like to experiment with making your own scrapbooking paper.  Ideas include scanning pictures,  or patterns from wrapping paper, and then printing it out onto the relevant pages.  Scraps of paper can be saved and used in other scrapbooks you make.  For instance, you could create your own paper piecing patterns, or you could use torn or crumpled paper to add texture to a page.  Their are loads of artistic techniques and free ideas online to help you present your favorite photos and memorabilia in a unique way.