Choosing the Album part 2
Tuesday, January 20th, 2009
Hi everyone and welcome back. So today I am going to give you some of my own pros and cons between the two different types of albums I told you about the other day, Strap Hinge Albums and the Top Loading Post Bound Albums.
So which one should you use? Well that mainly comes down to your own personal preference. Personally I use the later, the post bound ones, but I do have one strap hinge album that I do quite like.
The thing I like about the post bound albums is that the pages are always protected, so I am not worried when people look through them, especially kids who can often have sticky fingers. But then again, being top loading, the pages can have a tendency to ride up or slip out of the top at times too, especially if the album is carried up the wrong way. However, this can easily be solved by using a piece of photo safe tape on the top of the pocket to prevent the pages moving upwards, so not a big drama there.
Strap Hinge albums usually do not come with the page protectors, so it would probably be something you would look into buying at the same time. There is nothing worse than seeing your precious memories destroyed or damaged, whether that be by fingerprints, or physical damage caused from the opposite page. Sometimes the embellishments you use to decorate one page can in fact damage the photos on the other page when the album is closed, so as far as I’m concerned, page protectors are a must have.
Another big thing I like about the post bound albums is the ease of use especially when it comes to re-arranging the order of your layouts. Now you may not think you would want to re-arrange the order of your layouts, but I have been caught out by this many times. I complete an album or get half way through and realise the layout I am working on should be back in the album further. Well with post bound albums that is no problem, just slide the layouts out, and move them forward a pocket or two to fit the missing layout back in, therefore keeping the album in order. I create every layout on its own background or cardstock, so every layout can be moved without any problems.
With strap hinge pages, you use the front of the page for one layout and the back of the page for another layout. For example, I nearly always do a double page spread for each layout, so the first layout might be baby sleeping peacefully, then when you turn the page, the next layout might be baby playing in the cot. So that means the first page of baby playing in the cot, will be in fact designed and glued to the back of the second page of the baby sleeping layout, so as far as I know, there is no easy way to re-arrange the order of a strap hinge album. So if you do intend to use a strap hinge album, make sure you get the order right before you start.
Another thing too, is that should a page happen to be accidently torn out of a strap hinge album, then it is quite difficult to fix it up whereas with the post bound ones, you just put in a new pocket and slide the layout back into it. Just something else to consider.
One particular aspect of the strap hinge albums that appeals to me is, sometimes they look neater, as in the pages cannot flop around or shift around as each page itself is strapped in, whereas the post bound pages do tend to move around in their pockets a bit. Another thing I really like about the strap hinge albums is the ability to make great looking pop-up pages, (but then you can’t use page protectors on that layout). I have seen some really great pop up pages in strap hinge albums, but they must be handled gently and with respect, as all albums should be handled but often aren’t.
So basically I think they are the main ones to consider, and of course there is nothing wrong with using both styles. I have a lovely 6 x 4 inch strap hinge album that I used to make my daughter an ABC book, and I think it’s great. One other thing to consider, depending on where you buy your albums, is that I usually find the strap hinge ones work out to be a little more expensive by the time you allow for the protectors. Ok so I think I have outlined the biggest pros and cons with these two types of albums, feel free to add more in the comments section, all contributions are greatly appreciated. Next time will we be discussing getting started in our albums with the first layouts for our scrapbooking baby albums.
You'd be able to save your work for now and get albums later. Some people swear by strap-hinge and wouldn't use anything else. Check it all out and don't feel pressured to choose just one company or one line - that's silly - there is just so much cool stuff out there. 
