12 x 12 Paper Storage Options

How can you store your 12” x 12” paper? It’s the question I’ve had to ask and answer for myself several times since I started scrapbooking and as my collection of papers grew. Thankfully, now there are several manufacturers who have realized the importance of paper storage and have answered the pleas of scrapbookers everywhere. The question isn’t “How to do it?” anymore, but “Which system will work for me?”

Below I’ve offered several options for storing your 12” x 12” cardstock and patterned paper collection. Some are made specifically for scrapbookers and others are make-shift solutions put together by a scrapbooker in need. Take a look at several solutions to see which one will work best for you.

Vertical Storage Systems
Storing paper vertically is a fantastic space-saver and it allows you to sort through several different types of patterned paper without having to pick up a full stack.

The downsides of vertical storage can include bent edges, bowed paper and dust. Keeping paper packed fairly tightly helps to prevent the bowing and bending, and if you can find a storage system with a cover, you can eliminate the dust problem as well.

Hanging Files – Whether you use hanging files made specifically for 12” x 12” paper (available from companies like Cropper Hopper and Making Memories) or you use the standard size made for 8 ½” x 11” paper, you can use several adaptations of this method.

Hanging files are convenient for grouping various types of paper by color, manufacturer, or pattern style. The most important thing to look out for is how strong the container is that is holding the hanging files. Paper gets heavy! Look for stability; it will last much longer.

You can also find several brands of rolling carts that are made for hanging files. Having it on wheels makes it much more easily accessible when you need it and you’re able to roll it away when you don’t.

Accordion Folders – Another option is to use an accordion-style folder such as the Crop-in-Style Paper Taker shown here. Often a handle or shoulder strap will be attached to the folder so you can easily tote it with you. It comes with several dividers, so you can organize the paper in the same way that you would with hanging files. These can store as much as 500 sheets of paper in one container, making it a great space saver!

Storage Containers - Several small containers such as the storage containers from Cropper Hopper shown below can also be used to store your paper on a shelf or bookcase. Since there are several containers, it’s easy to pull only a section off the shelf to thumb through, instead of dealing with the entire collection as a whole. They can easily be stored in a closet, bookshelf, or inside a cabinet to keep them nicely stored away when you aren’t using them.

For a really wallet-friendly solution, try converting a plastic tub container into your paper storage solution. A few tips for this method:

Horizontal Storage Systems If vertical isn’t your style, give horizontal a try. There are also several ways you can store your paper horizontally. Often this is how you’ll see it displayed at your local scrapbook store. It’s an attractive way to see what you have at a quick glance.

One downside to horizontal storage is the amount of space it can take up. Depending on your stash, you can quickly cover an entire wall with paper alone. It can also be inconvenient to go through horizontal stacks of paper when the piece you want is somewhere in the middle of the pile. Having multiple organizers will help reduce that problem, because you can have less paper in each compartment.

Stackable Paper Trays – Clear plastic trays are a great way to store paper, especially cardstock. The paper trays allow your paper to lay flat, preventing any bending or warping that can be caused by vertical storage. Also, since you can see the color of the paper from the edges, it’s easy to find the exact sheet you need.

To store patterned paper in this way you can group them by color or paper manufacturer and only sift through the section you need. Since patterned papers can’t be seen from the edge (only the top), it makes this system a little less convenient for those papers.

Paper Towers – A variation of the paper trays are paper towers. Often these displays are more expensive, but are just like the ones used in scrapbook stores to display paper. They look pretty and are made for storing paper, so they’re sturdy and sized exactly how you need them.

Wire Cube System – A more cost-effective way to store papers horizontally is to use wire storage cubes. They can be purchased in sets at various department stores such as Target, Walmart or ShopKo. Instead of using them to create the six large cubes, you can use zip-ties to use the extra side panels to create shelves. Each shelf is just large enough to hold a stack of 12” x 12” paper.

Determine how you plan to organize your paper before you choose a system. You may find that organizing by manufacturer is more easily done one way than organizing by color. Find the system that’s right for your style of scrapbooking, the amount of space you have, and your budget! I prefer vertical storage because it’s easy to access individual sheets of paper. Others are inspired by a tower of colorful papers sitting across from them as they work. Whether you build a perfect unit, buy a storage system specifically for scrapbook paper, or alter another great storage product, there are so many options that you’re sure to find one (or several) that work for you.

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