Choosing Album and Page Layout Sizes
12 March 2009
Author: Heather Garl
As I envision my memories coming to life on paper, one of my first decisions is choosing album and page layout sizes. Do I see a 12 x 12 layout with lots of room or a cute 4 x 4 circle album? There is no right or wrong choice for any project. It just depends on your vision. Picking the size is as much a part of the scrapbook design as choosing your photos or your color theme. Answer a few questions and you’ll be on your way to making your layout come to life.
How much do you have to record? If you have a large number of photos you may need a 12 x 12 format, which obviously gives you the most room for photos. If you have a large amount of journaling you want to record and you want to print rather than hand write, it may be best to go with 8.5 x 11 so you can easily print your journaling on your layout without cutting down a 12 x 12 piece of paper to fit your printer.
Is the album a gift? Smaller albums like an 8 x 8 or 6 x 6 make excellent gifts and are very quick to complete. These sizes are also a good choice for beginners. You won’t need as many embellishments to fill these pages and since it can be completed in a shorter period of time, a beginner will gain a sense of accomplishment.
Are you focusing on one event? When creating an album on a specific event like a trip, birthday or graduation, a smaller album might work nicely. Depending on your theme, you may be able to find an album shaped to fit your theme. For example, look for an album shaped like a sand castle for your next beach scrapbook! If you are focusing on a timeline or a bigger event such as a wedding, you might need more space. In this case, 12 x 12 or 8.5 x 11 makes more sense.
There is absolutely no right or wrong decision for creating your album and page layout sizes. You can make any size work for any theme you can imagine. Choose what makes your memories come to life for you!