CM albums vs Non-CM albums

[Merandab4]

I previously posted on the boards saying that I did not think that a 12x12 album was going to work for me. It's just too large and bulky and I don't think it's very convenient to transport if I want to show somebody. With that being said, I did in fact make several 12x12 layouts before I came to this conclusion. I can say that I am actually happy with how the layouts came out.
I have really gotten the bug to scrap my WDW pics and want to do it in either an 8 1/2 x11, or 8x8. I just finished a 8x8 album of my bridal shower and am pleased with how it came out. I think the reason it looks so nice is because I ordered my pictures from winkflash and was able to order them all 3x5 and that way I could fit 2 and 3 pics on a page with out cropping to much.

So I thought I had it narrowed down to either using 8x8 or 8 1/2 by 11, but then I go to the Super Walmart and see they have a 12x12 that hold 100 pages!!!!!! I didn't think that they would hold that much. This means that I could put multiple Disney trips in one album!!!

So now I am back to sqaure one again, so now I turn to you ladies to get some more information.
I am pretty sure that I want to stick with a postbound, top load book.
Most of the CM books are strap bound, right?

Since the pages on CM books are thicker, can I assume that the top loader books will hold more pages then the CM hinge books, or is that incorrect?

Approximately how many pages could I get in a 8x8 album?
Are the CM 8 1/2 by 11 books truely 8 1/2 by 11? I ask this because the CM pages look a little larger then the regular 8 1/2 by 11 pages.

I do like the 8.5 x 8.5 books, but in my area they are hard to find.

I have decided that I am only going to scrap Disney vacations and overseas vacations. (for now anyway). And I want all my albums to be the same size.

Can you offer any suggestions/ advice?

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

I would think the biggest determining factor on how many pages any given book will hold is the amount the hinge edge cover will expand. This is one of the reasons I LOVE the Dalee books. Their covers will expand to a good 4 inches! Of course there are stability issues to consider as well.

I can tell you that the biggest reason for me to work in 12 x 12 rather than any other size format is the flexibility in the layout. I include 5 x 7 and 8 x 10 photos regularly and I like being able to have "other stuff" on the page as well. There is no way to get an 8 x 10 horizontal group shot on any size other than a 12 x 12. Also my DS uses an APS camera and often takes panoramic shots - these work great in 12 x 12 as well. And lastly I just find more flexibility in layout options with the 12 x 12.

However, as we are well aware here - ALL of this is subject to personal preference!

Deb

 

[Spinning]

I love the 8x8 size but find that doesn't work well unless you are doing something very specific and dont mind 1 or 2 pictures on a page! Thanks so much for the tip about getting the smaller size! DUH! Never thought of that for my 8x8 books! LOL!
Can't help you with CM I have only used their 12x12 which arent' true...and needless to say I am a top loader now.
I buy forever yours albums. Tough to find now that my LSS closed. But I have put almost 80 pages in there and feel comfortable with it. But I am not a bulky scrapper.
I think what works best for me, is to stay flexible! For my on going books it must be 12x12 but specialty books can be anysize! So I guess I haven't helped you at all!

 

[bananiem]

CM albums only come in strap hinge, I think.
I got an album several years ago, Colorbok I think, that said it could hold a gazillion pages. I thought it would be great for our WDW/Universal trip. It isn't good quality and some day I'm going to have to take it apart and make two separate albums.

 

[pattyT]

Correct CM are only strap hinge
and the number of pages depends on how buly the pages are (my DD11's first album has a TON more pages in it than dd 1's first album because back then I worked right on the wite pages with stickers - now I always wallpaper the pages, and use bulkier stuff'

 

[graygables]

Last I knew, CM albums are all strap hinge and will hold up to 45 sheets (90 layouts), but the do not hold up well to lots of wallpapering/dimensional stuff. The protectors don't fit over thicker things (and tear) and I "lost" a few pages to the metal staple thingy pulling out. None of their albums are true-to-size, I don't believe. They are coming out with new paper that is supposed to perfectly fit their own albums, though.

 

[zagafi]

Last I knew, CM albums are all strap hinge and will hold up to 45 sheets (90 layouts), but the do not hold up well to lots of wallpapering/dimensional stuff. The protectors don't fit over thicker things (and tear) and I "lost" a few pages to the metal staple thingy pulling out. None of their albums are true-to-size, I don't believe. They are coming out with new paper that is supposed to perfectly fit their own albums, though.

The "Perfect Fit" papers came out a few months back, actually!

 

[graygables]

The "Perfect Fit" papers came out a few months back, actually!

OK, last I heard was "Fall", goes to show how much I keep up with CM!