Paper

You would think that the term paper would be plain and simple.  You couldn’t be further from the truth.  When it comes to paper the types are almost limitless.  There are however some things to watch for to insure that your scrapbook stands the test of time.  If you want your photos to last you must make sure that all the materials that you use for scrapbooking are acid free.  Acid is truly the enemy when it comes to preserving your photos and other paper memorabilia.

The amount of acid in the paper is determined by the ph factor.  Neutral ph is graded as 7 with acid free being higher than 7.  Some papers are treated with a buffering agent such as Calcium Carbonate which raises the ph level and neutralizes the acids.  A more in depth article dealing with acid free products is elsewhere on this site.

Once you have determined that the paper is acid free you can really go to town finding paper that fits in with your scrapbook theme.  There are velums in a myriad of colors and patterns.  There are single and double sided sheets of paper which you can purchase in single sheets or in bulk. One of our favorite paper types is parchment:  it is wonderful if you are doing an anniversary book or something for family history.  If you are doing a book with a vacation theme, think about purchasing paper with a bamboo feel to it to really give a tropical look. Heavily embossed papers look great for formal books such as weddings.  If you are like us you will want some of everything - become a paper junkie - its lots of fun!