Scrapbooking: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What scrapbooking is

A scrapbooker arranges photos, papers, stickers, notes and keepsakes into albums that tell a story. The work is done by hand, page by page, and the finished album is made to be kept and passed on.

Signs you need it

  • You have a box of photos and keepsakes that you want to put in an album
  • You want a wedding, baby or family album designed and assembled for you
  • You want a memory book for a trip, a school year or a loved one
  • You want help choosing archival materials that protect old photos
  • You want to learn scrapbooking and build a layout you can keep working on

What the pro does

  • Asks what the album is for and sorts the photos and keepsakes with you
  • Plans the story, the page count and the order of the pages
  • Chooses papers, adhesives and embellishments that suit the photos and the subject
  • Lays out each page, checking the balance of the photos and the text
  • Adds captions, dates and journaling you have approved
  • Assembles the album and gives you a care and storage note

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The number of pages and the number of photos per page
  • The size of the album and the binding style
  • Whether the scrapbooker writes the journaling or you supply it
  • Whether archival or acid-free materials are used throughout
  • Whether the photos need to be scanned, cleaned or restored first
  • How many albums or copies are needed

What a written quote should spell out

  • The page count, the album size and the binding style
  • Whether journaling, captions and titles are included
  • Whether archival materials are used, and which ones
  • Whether photo scanning or restoration is included
  • The completion date and the delivery or pick-up terms

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Can I see albums you have made, including the inside pages?
  • Do you use archival materials that are safe for photos?
  • How do you decide the page order and the story?
  • Will you write the captions, or do I supply them?
  • How do you handle photos that are fragile or old?
  • Can I review the layouts before the album is assembled?
  • What is the process for changes after I see the first pages?

Red flags

  • Uses adhesives, papers or sleeves that are not labeled as archival for photos
  • Glues original photos or keepsakes to pages with no way to remove them
  • Will not show the inside of finished albums
  • Starts assembling pages before you approve the layout
  • Does not ask about fragile photos or keepsakes before handling them

What you can do yourself

You can sort your photos by date or event, scan the originals at a good resolution, and print copies to use in the layout. Keep originals in archival sleeves and do not glue originals to pages. Hire a scrapbooker for a large album, a wedding or family history project, or a set of albums for several people, because the sorting, layout and archival work take many hours.

Licenses and permits

A license is often not required for scrapbooking, but rules differ by state and city. Ask for a portfolio of finished albums, with the inside pages shown, and proof of craft training.

Scrapbooking questions

Should original photos go in the album?

Usually the originals are kept safe, and copies or scans go in the album. Ask the scrapbooker which method protects your photos best, and keep the originals in archival sleeves.

How long does an album take?

It depends on the number of pages, the photos and how much journaling is included. Ask the scrapbooker for a timeline that includes sorting, layout review and assembly.

What materials are archival?

Archival materials are acid-free and lignin-free papers, adhesives and sleeves that are designed to protect photos over time. Ask the scrapbooker which materials they use and whether they are labeled that way.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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