In the past I used a company to actually print on the spines of my albums so I could easily find an album on my book shelf. Three things have made me look to other ways of doing this:
- Availability – With the end of Creative Memories has we used to know it access to embossing has been greatly decreased. Where it used to be easy to send off your spines to Persona you now have to look for a printer in town who may or may not be familiar with spine printing.
- Cost – Getting someone to emboss your spines is very difficult and usually requires you to send the spine off to someone which means not only do you pay for the printing but also shipping both ways.
- Functionality – Once you print on a spine you can’t change it. This could be a problem if your rearrange albums (I did and now an album is miss labeled) or if you want to label an album that isn’t quite finished yet.
So I headed out to Pinterest and found this inspiration. From this I came up with three different options for labeling your spines.
Disclosure: This article may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Click here for more details.
Option 1: Make It From Scratch
This is the quickest option and one you could easily change as you albums evolve. I use these on my albums that are still in process.
Supplies for the sample label:
- Circle Punch in 2 Sizes – I used my Create Memories Circle Maker but any circle cutter that provides two sizes will work. (a 1.25 inch punch
and a 1.5 inch punch
seem to work best)
- Hole Punch – I used a rectangle shaped hole punch
but I any hole punch would do.
- Paper Trimmer (not shown) – A paper trimmer
is handy but not necessary. Scissors would do just fine.
- Adhesive – I used my Xyron Sticker Maker
(I am too lazy to cut tape these days) but you can use whatever you prefer.
- Ribbon – You need about 2.5 feet of ribbon to tie around a 12×12 album spine.
- Scrap Paper – You don’t need much so any scraps will work just fine.
Assembling the label:
- Cut out 1” x 2.5” Rectangle – Using scissors or the paper trimmer
cut out a rectangle for the base of the label. The shape is up to you but leave a little room at the top and bottom for the holes. Note: This size works well with the 1.5 inch hole punch and looks the right size on the spine.
- Punch Holes for the Ribbon – Using any shape hole punch add a hole at the top and bottom of the rectangle.
- Punch our 2 Circles – Make two circles or any shape of your choice (looking at it stars may have been nice for this album). Make sure one shape is a bit larger than the other to provide a frame around the smaller one.
- Write The Album Title – On the smaller circle write the title for the label. In this case I added the start date of the album but not the end date because I was still working on it.
- Glue It All Together – Using the Xyron sticker maker
(or other adhesive) put the pieces together and then tie it on the spine.
Option 2: Use a Personal Cutter
In this day and age of personal cutters you really can make anything you want. So try using your personal cutter (like the Cricut Explore™) to create your own labels or if you are a newsletter subscriber use the ones I have created for you.
Example 1: Using the Cut Feature Alone
In this example I used the Cricut Explore™ to cut the label just as designed. Then used a marker to add the dates. (By the way, this one has some really really tiny Mickey that are gorgeous)
Example 2: Combine with Print and Cut
In this example I used the SVG file for base and then used element in Cricut Design Space™ to create a baby book spine label.
It includes toy blocks, a rattle, my son’s name and date of birth. Once created I combined these element and used the Cricut Explore™ to print and cut. These labels are easy to make. The first two options can have you done in no time!
Option 3: Use a Quick and Easy Printable
If you want the easiest option, then use a printable to make the spine labels. Once you print these out all you have to do is write on your title and cut them out. The holes for the ribbon can be a bit tricky so cut with care.
And the beautiful thing is if I ever get tired of them or come up with a better idea I can change them. No more permanent spines! I hope you enjoyed this idea and it gives you ideas for your albums! Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions.
Great take on this idea, I love it!
Thanks Anne Marie! I ended up looking better than expected. And I love that it only used scraps.
This is a really good idea! Thanks, Mary.
Super idea! I never know what to use my small punches 🙂
Libby
Thanks so much! It’s so simple and yet so perfect! I did 6 albums for my mom and didn’t want to spend a fortune getting them labeling somehow.
great ideas
Hi, Mary. These are some great ideas and I’ve shared them over on Your Stories Go Digital.
Thanks.
Thanks so much Donna!! It’s fun to see everyone again.
Hi Mary. Great ideas, thank you! I tried to download the printable but it comes up as a Mother’s Day bookmark rather than the labels.
Hi Sue!! Thanks for telling me. It has been updated. Enjoy!
Thanks, Mary. Hate to tell you, though, you spelled Disney wrong on the white tag :-)!
Lol! Sue, I think it is fixed. Go ahead and try it out. 🙂
I cannot find the spine label freebies. I subscribed, but don’t see them in the downloads. My CM albums are screaming for help.
Sharon Jones
hi mary
how do you secure the ribbon inside the spine of the album?
love this idea thank you !
I just wanted you to know that all these years after you posted this, I came here from a search for a way to label the spine of my scrapbook and photo albums. This is perfect! Some I could use other methods, but many have a spine with creases..instead of a smooth one (hard to explain) where a bookplate or sticker wouldn’t work. They would get bent when the scrapbook was opened. Anyhow. This will stick better than a sticker on the fabric ones as well. LOVE the idea. Thank you! –Heather