Scrapbook Binding Techniques
Scrapbooks, especially small, handmade albums, can be quickly assembled and finished in an evening. The lower cost when compared to full-sized, more traditional albums, also helps keep the budget-conscious scrapbooker on track with her finances. You want to bind the scrapbook so that this finishing touch completes your handmade work of art. Several binding techniques will provide alternatives to finish your scrapbook.
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Stapling
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Stapling is the easiest way to bind a scrapbook but the most obvious and least attractive. However, for a boys' scrapbook or outdoor album, the staples could contribute to the overall rustic feel of the scrapbook. The scrapbook needs to be reasonably thin for a stapler to go through the pages unless you use a heavy duty stapler. Carefully align the pages, preferably holding them together with a binder clip. Then staple the pages together in the middle on the seam, at the top, bottom and in the middle.
Sewing
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The album should be fairly small and the paper thin for this technique. Hold the pages together with a binder clip so they don't slip while you sew. Simply sew down the middle seam of the book with as thick of a thread as possible.
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Professional
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Take your scrapbook to your local copy machine store. They can use spiral binding, tape binding, comb binding, coil binding, strip binding or wire binding. The fact that these options will look more professional than hand binding is both an advantage and a disadvantage. If your scrapbook is handmade, a comparable binding will complement the album. Professional methods also cost more than hand binding your album. For some albums, however, professional binding is just the thing you want.
Japanese Bookbinding
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Japanese bookbinding is a technique that involves punching holes through the pages. Hold the pages firmly together with a binder clip. Carefully align the pages and punch a hole through them, in pairs on either side of the middle seam. Punch three or four sets of holes, with one pair near the top, another pair near the bottom and one or two pairs in the middle, depending on how tall the scrapbook is. Then take a needle and thread and, using a whip stitch, lace through the holes through the front and back of the book. You can use ribbon for this step as well.
Ribbon, Fiber or Fabric
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Use a binder clip to hold the pages together and keep them straight. Punch holes slightly to the side of the middle through all the pages. You will have six holes, in three pairs, with each pair directly across from the each other. One will be to the left of center, the other will be to the right of center. Lace three ribbons (or fiber or fabric) through each of the three pairs of holes. Tie them on the outside, not too tightly, so the pages turn freely.
Rings
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Another easy option is to punch holes through all the pages and simply slip rings through the holes. Again, use a binder clip to hold the pages in place. So the rings aren't so obvious, decorate them by tying lots of ribbons or fibers onto them, at least ten ribbons/fibers per ring. Use two or three rings, depending on the size of the album. While you can easily still see the rings, you can turn the pages easily.
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References
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