Getting started

Sizes and formats: the cheat sheet you keep coming back to

Standard sizes for layouts, cards and envelopes, plus how to cut and score a base without getting the fold wrong.

Scrapbooking inherits its sizes from the US, so inches and centimetres live side by side. Knowing four key figures saves you from buying album pockets that do not fit or cutting cards that will not go in the envelope.

Supplies

Metal ruler marked in centimetres
Bone folder for scoring
Guillotine or craft knife

Step by step

12x12 layout: 30.5 x 30.5 cm

The flagship scrapbooking format. Paper pads, album pockets and most sketches are designed around it.
8.5x11 layout: 21.6 x 27.9 cm

Almost A4. It takes less space and stores better if you do not want a huge album. Note that true A4 (21 x 29.7 cm) is not the same and will shift inside US pockets.
A6 card: a 21 x 14.8 cm base folded in half

The most common card size in Europe because it fits standard A6 envelopes. Cut a 21 x 14.8 cm piece and fold it to get a 10.5 x 14.8 cm card.
Square card: a 30 x 15 cm base folded

Gives you a 15 x 15 cm card. Very forgiving for symmetrical designs, but check you have square envelopes before making a batch.
Slimline: 21 x 10 cm

A long, narrow format, ideal for horizontal scenes and for using up narrow offcuts. It fits US-style envelopes.
Score before you fold

Run a bone folder along the ruler to crush the fibres, then fold. Folding straight away cracks heavy cardstock and leaves a white line on the spine.

Practical tips

Always leave a 2 to 3 mm margin between the patterned paper and the edge of the base: it hides any cut that is not perfectly straight.
Measure your envelopes before starting a batch of cards. Adjusting the card is easier than hunting for envelopes afterwards.
Write your album size on the paper pad so you never trim sheets to the wrong measurement.