Slipcases for Scrapbooks

A slipcase protects your album — and the photos in it — from those photographic archenemies: light, dust and pollutants. But don’t despair if your scrapbook didn’t come with a slipcase. It’s easy and inexpensive to make one yourself:

1. Adjust the template to the measurements of your album (add 1/8 inch to each number). Transfer it onto acid-free board and cut out using a utility knife and a metal yardstick. Score along the dashed lines.
2. Glue a piece of glassine, a shiny transparent paper, onto the board. Trim the glassine 1/2 inch from the edges, fold the excess over and glue it to the back. This will reduce the friction between your album cover and the case.
3. Fold the board along the scored lines. Fasten the edges using acid-free hinging tape or strips of acid-free paper coated with spray mount. Secure with rubber bands until dry.
4. Glue a satin ribbon that’s double the width of the album plus a few inches to the inside edge of the opening. You’ll remove the album by tugging on the ribbon rather than pulling on the binding. To cover the slipcase, wrap a large piece of acid-free decorative paper around it and glue the edges inside the opening, then cut a separate piece for the back.