One or Two?

It's one of the old scrapbookers' debates. Should you always create one page layouts or two page layouts, or should you do a combination of both? While everyone has their own opinion and thoughts on the matter, ultimately of course, you can do whatever makes your albums work for you. Below are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each style of album organization:

One Page Layouts Only

Advantages: When you're creating each single page as a layout, you're able work "out of order" with photos from all different time periods without worrying about whether all of your layouts will fit together in sequence once the album is put into order. Instead, you'll know that since each page is its own layout, it can be added in anywhere between two other layouts. A one page layout also has much less space to fill, which is nice if you only have one photo or little journaling to include in a layout.

Disadvantages: Because your layouts are each individual pages and will include varying products and colors, they might not match or compliment the facing page in an album. Many people like the facing pages to match each other or have similar color schemes to help with the flow of the album. Another disadvantage is that you may also have more photos or information than you can fit on one page alone.

This style of organization works well in albums where you don't have a large amount of journaling, if you use smaller photographs (i.e. 3 ½" x 5") or if you have large sets of corresponding photographs. You're able to create single pages, more quickly. It can also save you money in supplies!

Two Page Layouts Only

Advantages: Two page layouts are nice when you want your pages to match. The facing pages will coordinate, and often flow together seamlessly through photos, papers and titles. You can also fit many more photos in each layout and have much more room for journaling, etc. in a two page spread.

Disadvantages: If your album only contains two page layouts, you may find that there are times when there is too much space to fill and you don't have enough photographs or information to fill up both pages.

This style of organization is great for those who have many coordinating sets of photographs and like to include many photos in each layout. Two page layouts are also nice and contribute to the flow of an album in albums where the story reads from page to page throughout the whole album.

Combination of One Page Layouts and Two Page Layouts

Advantages: If you allow yourself to use both one page layouts and two page layouts, you aren't limited to sizes. You're able to use only the space you need and use a variety of designs and page styles with both one and two page layouts.

Disadvantages: When you use both one and two page layouts, it's a little bit harder to work out of order and still fit the album together correctly in sequence. If you have a two page layout, a one page layout and then another two page layout in sequence, you'll need to fill in the gap with another one page layout so that the two page spreads will have facing pages.

This style of organization is good for those who like the freedom of creating a page based on what is needed for that particular page, rather than confining it to one page, or stretching it to two. It's also great if you aren't concerned about a sequential order of pages in a completed album.

So what's your choice? I'm sure it will depend on what album you're working on, what photos you have to scrapbook, and what your "personality" likes. My personal choice changes based on the album I'm working on, but for the most part, I like the freedom of using a combination of both one page layouts and two page layouts.

Shop at the Scrapbook.com Superstore for all your Scrapbooking Supplies!
Enjoy 5-Star service, HUGE selection and LOW prices!
Click here to start shopping!