Specialty Album Sizes

My scrapbooking albums evidence my ever-evolving scrapbooking style. When I began scrapbooking, I chose 8.5" x 11" as my layout size. As I progressed (and started taking more pictures) I moved to 12" x 12" layouts. However, at this stage in my development, I scrap almost every album size available, depending on my mood and my project's specific requirements. With all the great album size choices out on the market, how could I ever choose just one? Below I've spelled out the pros and cons for each of three specialty sizes: 6" x 6", 8" x 8", and 11" x 8.5" (as opposed to 8.5" x 11").

6" x 6" Albums

Pros:

• Provides an effective use for 12" x 12" papers (just cut a sheet of 12" x 12" paper into quarters and you've got four sheets perfect for your 6" x 6" album!)
• Is a perfect size for brag books

Cons:

• Usually only fits one photo per page (see image below for example)
  
• Provides only a limited amount of space for journaling

8" x 8" Albums

Pros:

• Usually fits several pictures to a page
• Easy to print digital layouts in 8" x 8" size on a regular printer

Cons:

• Paper not as common in 8" x 8" size, so pages usually must be cut down from 12" x 12" or 8.5" x 11" paper; there are some 8" x 8" paper tablets on the market
• Room for only two refills to an album (as 8" x 8" albums usually only have two posts, compared to three in most 12" x 12" and 8.5" x 11" albums)

11" x 8.5" Albums

Pros:

• Albums fit neatly on most shelves
• Perfect for large horizontal pictures

Cons:

• Tricky to design two-page layouts depending on picture orientation
• Can be awkward to store on shallow shelves
• Many popular papers only come in a 12" x 12" size, so you must cut the paper down if you wish to use it

Next time you're in a scrapbooking rut, or you have an entire roll of pictures from an event, try creating a theme album in one of these new, specialty sizes. Your creativity will be rejuvenated, and the album will stand out among all your other "usual" albums!