Why 12 x 12

[Elemobe]

Hi

I haven't done any scrapbooking before and wondered why the paper sizes tend to be 12 x 12?

We are planning a number of walks and I thought that if a made a template, I could easily document them and possibly make them into a printed album. With this in mind, I have obviously got to get the basics right.

Thanks for any answers

Linda

[JRR]

Hi-

I do a lot of digital scrapbooking and usually make mine 8.5 x 11 so they're cheaper to print! I think the 12 x 12 is handed down from the paper scrappers, but smaller sizes such as 8 x 8 are popular now, too. The size doesn't really matter-I made some scrapbook pages that are 4 x 6, although you can't fit a lot on them!

So there's no right or wrong for the page size-it's just your preference! I'd just keep in mind what you want to do with the photos and how you want to print or get them printed. You can make them into books, too. Let me know if you'd like some of those sources.

Have fun and show us what you've created!

[mom to 4]

In looking at an advertisement for the "Rag Shop" today, they are having a sale on scrapbooks with pages that are 8 x 8. So, I would guess your only limitations are the sizes of the scrapbooks you can purchase.

[kayser]

Hmm, I never asked why, I just did it that way... It does allow for a really nice size layout, and something that can easily be printed at a smaller size. There are also scrapbook albums that are 8x8, so I sometimes make 12x12 layouts and then print at either size. I just did a big scrapbook for my dad and printed at 8x8 and it was still big enough to see details but not too big for him to carry around and show off.

[Elemobe]

Thanks everyone - great galleries :-)

You have all answered my question. I suppose the square size lends itself to wide borders down left side, which seems to be a popular theme.

I am in the UK, scrapbooking is not big here - yet.

I was thinking of getting mine printed at a print company I have used in the past and have been extremely pleased with. I will look at their site and see what is on offer and see how the prices vary.

I was thinking of sticking to A4 which means I have the option of printing out on my own printer.

I will try some ideas, once I have done the walks and have something to record!!!!

In the meantime, your galleries have given me lots of new ideas - no wonder I don't sleep well if I do this before bed :-(

Linda

[Wags374]

As previsously mentioned the 12x12 size came from the paper or "traditonal" side. Digiscrappers have continued with that because it was a size they were familiar with. And if you create a 12x12 page, it can easily be cropped to other sizes. I have done several books that were in an 8x10 format or a 9x7 format. (Viovio.com for the 9x7 softcover - nice work and inexpensive).

But I'm now switching over to the 12x12 format and will either have the books printed in a a 10x10 format or a 8x8 format. Someone once mentioned that becuase we are veiwing our work on a computer screen, we tend to make everything (especially font) bigger than necessary anyway. So when we do print out at a smaller size it still looks great.

Oh and Ubuildabook.com does any size up to 10x10 in hard or soft cover.

[Wendy]

Hi Linda ...

Where abouts in the UK are you ?

I visted our local market yesterday and found that there was a stall selling lots of scrapbooking things. Its the first time I had ever seen it ..

Wendy

[kayser]

Jane- on the 10x10 size- have you found the top loading albums readily available? I haven't printed in that size yet b/c last time I went to look I couldn't find the albums that size. I haven't sent my prints away for printing in a book- usually because I end up adding things later.

[huntress]

Nothing is ever simple. I have lots of books that are 12 x 12 top load because I do, or should say did, the traditional paper scrapping. I didn't link I'd like digital because of the flatness, faux depth, and had no idea how you could print them out decently. However, since finding this site and a few good books on scrapbooking I've converted, some. I have been putting together digital pages for my neice which I haven't printed yet. I'm not happy with images printed on high quality white paper, at least not from my current printer. However, on an earier post here about printers people posted places where you could get pages printed off in 8x8, 10x10 and 12x12 which I intend to try when I get my pages finished. I will try 8x8 or 12x12 because I've never seen a 10x10 book locally. Since I have the paper and supplies I'd actually like to do a mix, some traditional some printed digitial. You can add two inches to one of the canvas sides and print them out as an 8x10 and cut the extra 2 inches off to get good quality photo prints for 8x8 and I know a lot more stores here, are starting to support the 8x8 archival quality books.

The things you have to consider is print cost, quality and availablity with the options for archival quality books in your area.

[Elemobe]

Hi Wendy

I am in Cumbria, in the Lake District.

Linda

[Wendy]

Hi Linda ...

Oh that is a beautiful part of the country ... I'm an exiled Lancastrian, currently living in the Midlands :)

Wendy

[kevq]

Hi Linda,
Welcome from another Brit, ex Lancastrian now living in Hampshire.
Love your part of England, have had many happy times in the Lakes; my brother used to live in Kendal.
I've done some scrapbooking and always use A4, I can print them myself plus albums and frames are readily available in that size in the UK.
Kev.:) :)

[Elemobe]

I'm from Bucks (orginally Dorset) and "escaped" to here recently. Certainly beautiful, a photographer's paradise - shame I'm no photographer :-)).

Yes, the A4 route or something smaller seems the way to go - probably work landscape.

It's the Wainwright walks we are planning on doing - anyone who knows this area, will know the Wainwright "works of art". A scrapbook journal seems the perfect way to capture the experience, although it will be a lot of work/fun/pleasure to do.

I will keep you posted on (any?) results.

Which market was it Wendy? I am a frequent traveller back south.

Linda

[Wendy]

Hi Linda ...

It was in the Midlands ... near Nuneaton. :)

Wendy