Choosing the right album for your project is important. There are so many different types of albums to choose from.

12x12 albums are very popular. Scrapbook paper typically comes in this size which makes this 12x12 album simple to create! There are many types of 12x12 albums from strap hinge, 3 ring and post bound. You will want to use page protectors for any of the albums. Typically top loading page protectors can be found at most stores.

12x12 albums are the perfect size if you are doing a larger project with a great deal of pictures. You can fit quite a few pictures on a page depending how small you crop them. There are lots of sketches and ideas for 12x12 pages. Everything from a family annual album to a vacation with lots of photos will be great in a 12x12.

8x10 albums are another popular size. These are great when you have fewer pictures for the project. I have only done a couple 8x10 albums. One for a play my daughter was in and another for an anniversary cruise my husband and I took. 8x10 paper is pretty easy to find. Otherwise, you can cut 12x12 paper down. Don't throw away those scraps though...you can use them as borders, etc!

Mini albums are fun to create out of almost anything! You might consider a mini album for a gift or a brag book. They can be made with thin papers, cardstock or chipboard. You can find bound albums or create your own and bind with a ring or ribbons. You can also create mini albums in any shape or size! One drawback for mini albums is that there are typically not page protectors for them. As a result, your mini albums may be affected by sunlight, dust and just general wear and tear from looking at them.

Take a look at the photos and memorabilia that you have for your project and then determine which album will work best for your special book! You will find many options available no matter the size you choose. Make sure you have enough page protectors. Sometimes albums will come with them but they may not include enough for your project. It is terrible to run out of pages and not be able to find the protectors that you need. I like to buy my protectors at the time of purchasing the album so I make sure I have extra matching protectors on hand just in case!