Read THIS Before Buying Scrapbook Paper – 7 Things To Consider
Here are 7 things to consider before buying scrapbook paper.
Picking out cute, themed patterns can be a lot of fun, however you’ll want to keep in mind these tips before spending your hard earned money. I came up with this list of 7 things to think about before buying scrapbook paper based on my own experience.
I always say buying craft supplies is another hobby on its own. We all know just how fun it is to pick out the newest collections and beautiful shades. However, after having paper untouched for years I finally changed my mindset on how I buy scrapbook paper.
7 Things To Think About Before Buying Scrapbook paper
Anytime you go into the craft store or shop online, stop and ask yourself these questions before adding to your cart.
1. Do I have a purpose for this?
I only buy paper if I have a project in mind that I can use it for.
Otherwise, the paper will sit unused for years taking up storage space. And in the meantime, new paper will come along that I’ll choose over it. I know just how easy it is to fall in love with a design. But buying without a plan often leads to endless clutter.
2. Do I have something similar in my current stash?
Before adding to the cart, take a look at what you currently own. Many of us accidently buy duplicates of colors or patterns that we already have.
Ask yourself:
- Do I own a similar pattern already?
- Could I use what I have instead of buying new?
3. Is the quality up to standard?
Not all scrapbook paper is created equal. The quality on some is better than others.
Before you buy consider…
- The paper weight (too thin can wrinkle or tear)
- Acid free (important to prevent discoloration)
- single-sided vs double-sided patterns
- texture (smooth vs textured to fit your style)
Believe me that higher quality paper can make your layouts look more elevated.
4. Does this fit my personal style?
Before buying scrapbook paper think of your style preferences and the overall appearance of your album.
If your album tends to lean more soft and neutral you probably won’t want to add busy and bright patterns to your pages. No matter how beautiful the paper is. If you like to switch up different themes then that’s one thing. But adding a color-scheme that you don’t normally use can make a single page look out of place.
If the paper matches your usual aesthetic then it is more likely to get used!
5. Is it photo compatible?
Your photos should always be the star of the page.
If you think that the pattern is too busy where it will overshadow the pictures or distract from the storytelling, then maybe it’s a good idea to put it down.
I also also recommend to find paper that corresponds to the colors in your photographs. This way, all the pieces will correlate to one another.
6. Is the color/ pattern versatile?
Some papers only work for one specific theme, while others can stretch across many layouts.
Here are some patterns that I believe are extremely versatile.
- small patterns
- tone-on-tone prints
- soft color palettes
- subtle textures
The more versatile the scrapbook papers is, the more likely you will use it.
7. Do I have the storage space?
This last point may be difficult to overlook, but is super important to consider before buying scrapbook paper.
Be honest with yourself and ask if you truly have extra room for more papers. We have a tendency to buy faster than we are able to create. We want to make sure we are using what we have before jumping in to buy ever more.
In my experience, the more that is in my stash the overwhelm I feel. I start to forget what I own and can’t decide what to use when there are so many options.
A carefully curated stash is much easier (and more fun) to work with than an overflowing one!
This post is about things to consider before buying scrapbook paper
Scrapbook paper is one of the most tempting craft supplies to collect. It is important to be intentional with your purchases to help save money, reduce clutter, and actually finish your layouts!
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