Choosing the Right Scrapbooking Paper

Paper is a very important part of any scrapbook. It is important to use the right kind of paper to ensure your scrapbook remains in good condition over the years. The number one most important quality to look for in paper is that it is acid-free. Acid-free paper is designed to be archival in quality and hold up over long periods of time. You should also make sure your paper is lignin-free and uses fugitive-free dye. For those who don't know, lignin is a substance found in trees but when used in scrapbooks can lead to yellowing when the paper is exposed to high temperatures or light over a period of time. Fugitive-free dye simply means the dye used to color the paper will not run or bleed if the paper happens to get wet.

scrapbooking paper

There are different types of paper that can be used for different scrapbooking purposes. Perhaps the most commonly used paper is card stock. Card stock is thick and heavy, making it ideal for attaching photos and adornments. You can buy special card stock made especially for scrapbooking. You'll find that this type of paper comes in a remarkable array of colors, patterns and even different textures. You can buy card stock by the sheet or in packs. There are even packs which offer several different colors and/or patterns.

Vellum is another popular type of scrapbooking paper which is often used as an overlay or adornment. This type of paper is transparent but not see through. It is thin and is often used as an overlay in wedding invitations. You'll find that vellum comes in different transparencies designated by number. The bigger the number, the more opaque the paper will be. The smaller the number, the more transparent the paper will be. As previously mentioned, you want to choose acid and lignin free vellum. You shouldn't have any problem finding it because it is such a common material for scrapbooks and invitations.

The right paper makes all the difference in your scrapbook, so do some comparison shopping and choose wisely!

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