5 Must-Have Scrapbook Supplies to Bring Your Memories to Life

There are special moments in your lifetime that you would want to capture for posterity's sake. The opportunity to revisit them later can bring back nostalgic feelings. And even better, is the chance to share these moments with loved ones. This is why scrapbooking is a favorite pastime for so many people. 

A scrapbook allows you to create and arrange items like photos, postcards, letters, and other memorabilia. For some people, it is a chance to document family history.

Nonetheless, there is also a creative side to it. It is a chance to express your creativity by artistically decorating the pages. 

Scrapbooking has been around for a very long time. Historical records trace it back to the 19th century with the advent of print newspapers. But even earlier, some people kept Commonplace books, the earliest versions of scrapbooks. This could have been the beginning of the cut-and-paste culture of scrapbooking. 

To start on your journey to collecting precious memories, you will need the right scrapbooking supplies. Let's check out some of the must-have items below. 

Where to Find Scrapbooking Supplies

Before we dive into the list, it helps to know where to shop for scrapbooking supplies. You can find them in craft stores, scrapbooking stores, and online retailers like Craft Direct. 

The supply stores have everything you need to start scrapbooking. This includes photo sheets, scrapbooking paper, albums, scrapbook page kits, and solid-colored cardstock.  

1. High-Quality Scrapbooking Paper

High-quality scrapbooking paper is the first item on the must-have items. This is because it is one of the most crucial scrapbooking supplies that you must have. You will stick the photos, stickers, and other memorabilia on this paper. 

A critical point to keep in mind when scrapbooking is that you will want the book around for years. That is why you must pay attention to the type of paper you buy. Low-quality paper will end up turning yellow. It is also prone to damage and folding at the edges. 

Hence, when choosing scrapbooking paper, keep the following considerations in mind.

• Go for acid-free paper because that determines durability. The hydrogen ions in the acid cause paper to break down. You will notice that the paper becomes brittle and discolored over time, often taking on a yellowish tinge. The pages will crumble if you're not careful about how you handle the scrapbook. 
• Additionally, check that the paper is lignin free. As the lignin in the paper degrades, it causes acid buildup. Card stocks are an excellent option because they are lightweight and durable. 
• The color choice of the scrapbooking paper depends on your preferences and the theme you are going for. 
• There is the option of patterned or solid-colored papers. Patterns are fun, and you can find a wide range of options. However, they can be limiting because you must work with what you get. Solid colored scrapbooking papers give you a blank slate to work with. Ultimately, it comes down to what you feel works well for you. 

2. Scrapbooking Album and Safe Storage

You will need a place to hold all the scrapbooking papers once you finish the pasting and decorating. A scrapbooking album provides the perfect solution. There are tons of choices, including:

• Post-bound albums bind the pages together using posts or screws. The main advantage is that you can remove or customize the pages as you wish.
• D-ring albums are quite popular, and the page binding happens with the help of rings. 
• Strap hinge albums have a metal hang and strap combination for binding the pages. 
• Spiral-bound albums are fun and excellent for kids' scrapbooks
• Mini albums will work great for themed scrapbooks. 

3. Scrapbooking Adhesive

You need adhesive to stick the memorabilia. There are different options, such as:

Foam tape works wells for projects that require depth and dimension on the scrapbooking papers. The double-sided adhesive is also excellent for heavier embellishments.

Tape runners are double-sided adhesives that you apply with a dispenser. You will find this type of adhesive especially helpful for sticking embellishments.

Liquid glue is quite versatile and ideal for heavier embellishments.

Glue dots come in dispensers and work well for small embellishments like rhinestones or sequins.

4. Embellishments

Embellishments are fun decorative additions to your scrapbook. Your craft store should have various shapes, designs, and sizes. 

Favorite scrapbooking options include:

• Scrapbooking stickers are versatile, decorative and add fun to the scrapbook. There is the option of buying ready-to-use scrapbooking papers with stickers. That provides the convenience of freeing yourself from having to stick the decorations onto the pages. 
• Die-cuts require you to pre-cut shapes from cardstock or regular paper. They are great for adding dimension or depth to the pages. You can get some inspiration from this YouTube video.
• Chipboard works pretty much like die-cuts, except you get a sturdier material.
• Brads are small fasteners that add interest and texture to the pages. To make them more outstanding, consider layering them with embellishments.
• Ribbons and twine are a great way to add color and texture. Some ideas include knotting, weaving, or tying bows in the pages. 
• Buttons are an excellent embellishment, especially in combination with ribbons. They can also be a fun way to add memorabilia. The buttons could be from your children's baby clothes or from an outfit that belonged to a loved one or dearly departed.

There is no specific rule for choosing embellishments. Go with what works for you and blends well with the scrapbook theme. 

Must-Have Scrapbooking Tools

The right scrapbooking tools will make work so much easier. So, pick up the following:

• A pair of scissors or trimmers to cut whatever you will be pasting onto the scrapbooking papers. When using razors, opt for those with replaceable blades. You will go through plenty because paper can dull sharp edges. 
• A pen for captioning or writing special memories
• A printer 
• Paper punch for creating holes in the scrapbooking paper when storing in the album
• Scrapbook storage like drawers, file folders, or boxes for safe keeping of the albums.

Final Thoughts

Scrapbooks are unique memory holders that you can pass down through generations. But beyond that, you will love how fulfilling the activity is. 

Remember to include family members to make the scrapbooking experience even more memorable. Use our list of must-have scrapbooking supplies to start you off on the right path.