It can be a real disappointment to discover that the scrapbook album that you’ve put so much time into is not as good a quality as you would have hoped, especially if it’s a bound album. If you want to avoid this acute disappointment, or merely recover from it by finding a new, more quality album, there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind.
First off, look for an album that has a slipcase (also called a slip cover). It’s rare that you can find a slip cover sold by itself, so you’ll need to look for it as a set with the album. Though this will cost you a little extra at first, a slipcase is one of the best ways to keep your precious scrapbook album safe from all the elements.
Look for signs of quality on the album. Is the stitching tight, even, and intact? Is the fabric torn? If it is a bound album, is the binding broken? Overall, does the scrapbook album look like it is in good condition? If you have any doubts, find another; normal use will only cause more wear and tear.
If you get a chance, smell the album. Do you smell anything like petroleum or linoleum? Petroleum-based products, even ones which are not touching the scrapbook pages, release gases which break down pictures and paper over time. Make sure your scrapbook album is free of petroleum and vinyl (a petroleum product).
If you already have a cheap scrapbook album, don’t despair. Cheaper albums, especially that are expandable, do have their place. You can use them to store pages that are only half finished. In this way, they can be an excellent way to store partially finished scrapbook pages that will go in your higher quality album.
