Scrapbooks have come a long way since the days when people simply taped their photographs in an album, only to find years later that their precious mementos had yellowed or disintegrated with age. Today’s scrapbooks combine photographs, special paper, inks, journaling, and all kinds of decorative details into family heritage albums that can be enjoyed by future generations. If you’re new to scrapbooking, the following tips can help you create beautiful albums that stand the test of time.

Safety First
Here’s where the science of scrapbooking enters the picture. As time has shown, certain glue, paper, and other materials that were once commonly used in albums can discolor and destroy photographs and mementos. Before you begin assembling pages, make sure your materials are scrapbook-safe.

Paper: Many scrapbooks have been ruined by the very material they’re made of—paper. Paper with a high acid content, such as newsprint or construction paper, will deteriorate and damage photographs and memorabilia. Look for paper marked acid free or archival quality. In addition, paper should be lignin-free (see glossary) to keep from turning brown and crumbling over time.

Plastic: Avoid plastic protectors and pocket pages that contain Poly Vinyl Chloride. PVC can emit acid, which discolors and damages photographs. Look for products made of Polyethylene or polyester, which often goes by the trade name Mylar®.

Adhesives: Many adhesives, including glue sticks and rubber cement, dry out and become brittle with age so your photos no longer stick to the pages. Even worse, some adhesives contain caustic chemicals. To be safe, choose adhesives labeled archival quality and permanent.

Tools
The arts and crafts industry has created all kinds of decorative papers, scissors, pens, and other scrapbook supplies. Here’s what you need to get started, plus a few extras for embellishing your pages.

Essentials:
• Albums: They come in many styles and sizes, and all have their pros and cons. Some, like spiral-bound albums, make it hard or impossible to add and remove pages, which is why many scrapbookers prefer three-ring binders. Strap-hinged albums, which have plastic straps that attach to the pages, are a good choice if you like creating two-page spreads because the pages lie flat when opened. Albums with top-loading page protectors are popular for scrapbooking because they allow you to remove the paper, then re-insert it after the page is decorated. Which album you choose is mostly a matter of personal taste. Just make sure your album is archival quality.
• Adhesive: Look for a glue or tape that’s archival quality. A good choice for beginners: double-stick photo tape or photo squares. They’re an easy, safe way to attach your pictures to pages, and you can usually remove a photo later without ruining the picture or the page.
• Pens: Many inks, including those found in some felt-tip pens, can damage scrapbook pages. Use pens that are waterproof, permanent, and acid-free. While you need just a basic black pen to get started, manufacturers such as Zig and Sakura offer a large palette of colors.
• Scissors: Straight-edge scissors will do the job, but there’s a great assortment of scissors with decorative edges to create scallops, zigzags, and other fancy effects. Consider investing in a paper cutter for straight cuts.
• Mat papers: Plain and patterned cardstock that’s acid- and lignin-free can be used to mat photographs or to cut out decorative shapes, greatly enhancing your pages.

Extras:
• Corner edger: Punch-style tool for cutting decorative corners on paper and photographs.
• Templates: Plastic or acrylic sheets with cut-out shapes, allowing you to trace circles, ovals, and other patterns and cut them out of cardstock. Also used for cropping photographs.
• Die cuts: Paper cutouts that come in assorted shapes, colors, and sizes. Readymade die cuts are sold individually or in themed packets such as hearts and cupids for Valentine’s. You can also make them yourself using a die cut machine, available in many craft and paper stores.
• Punches: Tools used to punch out hearts, stars, snowflakes, and other small shapes out of paper to decorate pages.
• Stickers: Useful for decorating pages, but make sure the paper, adhesive and ink used to make them are archival quality.

Tips for Layouts
If you’re new to scrapbooking, start with a simple page layout. It’s often best to select one photo to enlarge and serve as a focal point for the page rather than have a group of smaller, same-sized photos competing for attention.

If necessary crop (cut) photos, removing distracting elements (only crop color-copied photographs to preserve your originals and never crop Polaroids; they can release a corrosive chemical). Varying the shapes and sizes of photos adds interest to the page; use templates to crop photos in a perfect circle, oval, etc.

Mat photos on plain or patterned paper that complements the pictures. Arrange photos on your page and attach with an archival-quality adhesive. Add decorative elements such as rubber stamps, stickers, die-cuts, and punches that illustrate your theme.

Don’t overload the page with imagery; leave “white space” for journaling and lettering. Whenever possible, write down names, dates, locations, and details about a person or event featured in a photograph. Remember, you’re making something you hope will be passed down to your descendants long after you’re around to tell the story.

Scrapbook Terms
Acid-free: Paper that is labeled acid-free has a level of 7.0 or higher on the pH scale, which measures acidity from factors of 0 to 14. Acid causes paper to slowly deteriorate and damages photographs and memorabilia, so it’s important that all materials used in scrapbooks be acid-free.

Archival quality: Used to indicate paper and other materials that won’t disintegrate or discolor over time, although it’s not a technical term.

Buffering: The manufacturing process of adding calcium carbonate or other buffering agents to paper to neutralize any acids that may form later. Not endorsed by all scrapbooking experts; some believe buffering can harm color photos.

Journaling: Your scrapbook’s text or narrative that tells the story behind the photographs. Names, dates, and locations are important. Journaling techniques range from simple hand-lettering or stenciling to fine calligraphy. Computers can also be used to create text.

Lignin-free: Lignin is the stuff that binds wood cells together. Paper high in lignin, notably newsprint and construction paper, turns yellow and disintegrates . Paper used for scrapbooks should be lignin-free.

Matting: Framing a photo with paper so that it stands out on the page. Adhere photo to paper, then cut 1/8½ to 1/2½ from the edges using straight-edged or deckle-edged scissors to create a border.

pH: A measurement of acidity and alkalinity on a scale of 0 to 14. For paper to be labeled acid-free, it must measure at least 7. The higher the number, the lower the acid content.

Photo-safe: While products sold as photo-safe are supposed to keep from damaging photos, some scrapbook experts say the term has been misused by companies that have used the label on products that can actually harm photos. Archival quality or acid-free are generally more reliable descriptions. If in doubt about a product, contact the manufacturer.

Resources
All kinds of how-to books and Web sites exist for scrapbook beginners. Here are a few of our favorite picks:

Online
• Graceful Bee: A thorough and highly informative guide to scrapbooking for “newbees.” Address: www.gracefulbee.com
• Learn 2 Scrapbook: Lots of great information for beginners, including great tips for protecting your scrapbook from high heat and humidity. Address: learn2scrapbook.com

In print
• “Making Scrapbooks” by Vanessa-Ann. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. (800) 367-9692.
• “Scrapbook Storytelling” by Joanna Campbell Slan. The Elaine Floyd Group. (314) 353-6100.
• “New Ideas for Crafting Heritage Albums” by Bev Kirschner Braun. Betterway Books. (800) 289-0963.