How To Assemble a Scrapbook
- May 1, 2009
- 1,939 Views
from
Lauren Rishe
(and 2 others) Subscribe
- Camera Justin Baker
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Writer
Patti Behan
You’ve organized your materials and chosen your book. Now it’s time to get down to brass tacks. . . and tapes, stamps, stickers, cardstocks, markers…
You Will Need
- Your materials, organized into layouts
- Your scrapbook or album of choice
- Archival-quality background paper or cardstock
- Sharp scissors or a small precision knife
- Archival-quality page protectors
- Archival-quality tape or adhesive
- And archival-quality pens or markers
- Photo mats
- Decorative embellishments
- Scrap paper
Step 1: Shop for safe materials
You’ve organized your material into layouts; now it’s time to construct. The key is using adhesives, papers, and decorative elements that won’t damage what you’re trying to preserve. Shop for ones labeled acid-free, archival quality, photo-safe, and lignin-free.
Step 2: Trim background paper
Trim your background paper to the appropriate size for your layout.
A small precision knife will give you a cleaner, straighter line than scissors.
Step 3: Check layout
Make sure your layout will fit on your page or inside your page protector—if not, make the necessary adjustments to your layout.
Step 4: Crop photos
Crop photos if necessary.
Step 5: Mat photos
Mat the photos if you choose.
Step 6: Arrange elements
Arrange your elements on the background paper, shifting them around until they fit and are visually appealing.
Step 7: Begin mounting
Begin mounting the materials on the background paper in the arrangement you’ve just created, starting with the bottommost elements. If you have a custom-cut background for your picture, mount it first.
Step 8: Mount picture
Mount the picture next, then any printed captions, quotes, or titles.
Step 9: Add decorations
If you have decorative embellishments you plan to use on top or around the picture, mount them last.
Never use rubber cement, glue sticks, or “school” glues. Even if they’re labeled acid-free, they don’t work as well or last as long as other adhesives.
Step 10: Let layout set
Give your finished layout time to set.
Step 11: Add captions or titles
Add any handwritten captions or titles.
Practice writing on scrap paper first to ensure that the words will fit in the allotted space neatly and legibly.
Step 12: Check your page
Check your page for any loose elements before sliding it into the page protector or mounting it in the book. Congratulations—you’re on your way!
Mark Twain patented a “Self-Pasting Scrapbook” in 1872—by 1901, his line included 57 different designs.
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Comments (1)
One of my favorite videos you've made for Howcast – really great work – you were obviously inspired by this topic!
over 2 years ago by HeatherMenicucci
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