Hi, I am fairly new to scrapbooking and was unsure on what paper am I suppose to be using as by base. Is it the card stock or the lighter paper or both or either? Any advice would be great thank you.

You can use whatever paper you want Lighter-weight papers are a little more delicate, of course, but if you're using page protectors in your albums this really isn't a concern.

What stick said. I've used both. In general, there is nothing dictating what you're "supposed" to do - a lot of people, including myself, concern themselves with using acid-free materials, and I would say that's the closest thing to a hard-and-fast "rule", but no one will ban you or shun you if you don't, and even those of us who care exercise different levels of caution (I don't typically use make-it-acid-free spray on tickets and memorabilia, but others here wouldn't dream of not doing so.)

Thank you!

I am guing fabric on cardstock for a background - and using healthy amounts of "Make it Acid Free".

Sometimes I use lightweight paper for base or background, sometimes heavier, sometimes patterned.

Just whatever works with your layout.

if you are going to do dimensional in your design, I think cardstock is definitely the way to go, but when I was a newbie, I only used lightweight pp. Happy scrapping!

I love Bazzill textured cardstock. I use that as the base and then layer some patterned ppr on top. I also use patterned ppr as a base too.

I like cardstock for a base too. It just seems a little stronger. If you're adhering heavier embellishments such as chipboard, buttons, etc., it seems to hold up better.

• Henri Jean Said:

Henri, I have often wanted to add things to my lo's but was afraid to because of the acid. I didn't know of this "Make it acid free" til recently but haven't been able to find it. Where do you get it?

Make it Acid free is by Krylon but I can only get it at my scrapbook store. It sells out quickly so they usually have to order it for me. I just had her order 4 cans which I just picked up.

It lasts me a long long time so I will be using it forever. But I do go in streaks where I use a lot, like all the 12 x 12 pieces of cloth.

I'm not sure, but I would think HOme Depot and places like that should be able to get it, since its Krylon.

It wouldn't hurt to check the box stores but it may be in a different department. I got it once at a boxed sotre.

The first can I ever bought was at Archivers.

Thanks I'll check A's when I go next time...

I didn't see it at our local craft store, maybe at M's?

I always use a cardstock base and then use layers after that. I like the sturdiness of cardstock. I also put them in page protectors.

Thanks for the tips everyone!

I have found it at M's. It is called Archival Mist or something like that.

Great info in this post. I have been wondering about the two-sided printed papers. Both sides are so pretty but why is this necessary? When you put it in your album, one side is going to be hidden. What is the benefit of having both sides printed? Is it just the ability to have more options?

The benefit is to the manufacturer and retailer - less space (and less raw materials) required to make and display two different patterns. I don't mind it so much when the second side is something relatively plain like a subtle pattern in all one color that I won't feel tempted to use, but in general I'm not a fan, since if I like only one side, pricing usually means I end up paying more for the one side I like than if it were just a single-sided sheet.

I do what most everyone else has said before...cut out behind add-ons and use the reverse side as an embellishment. At least you know it should coordinate~

I just buy at least 2 sheets. Or if I'm doing a 2 page layout then I buy 3 or 4 sheets.

I think am one of the few who just uses what I buy. I dont think about the acid free stuff at all. They never did so in the old days and those items still survived. Now we have albums with protector sheets so it'll be preserved a lot better. I tend to use cardstock as a base but sometimes the printed paper is thick enough (DCWV) and will hold itself.

Just use what ever you like as a base, there is no actual given rule....

Thank you everyone for the responses. Great ideas!