There are so many different ways to use paper today in craft making it’s hard to know where to begin. Creating great paper crafts can be easy and fun. There are also some easy ways in making your paper crafts last a little longer.
Gift Cards/ Gift tags
Gift cards and gift tags are a fun way to use paper. You can buy some very cute and stylish paper at any craft or scrapbook store. You can make gift cards and gift tags for any occasion really, birthday’s, thank you notes, Christmas, Halloween, Mother’s day, and the list could go on and on. Or maybe you just want to make a stack of cards to have on hand in case you need them for something. One way to make your card or tag last longer is by wrapping it with some clear heavy duty cellophane paper. You might have seen other cards like this in the store, but if you don’t want the paper to bend or rip, this is a great way to keep and store them so they last longer. This also helps embellishments from getting snagged or caught on things.
Scrapbook Pages
It’s probably no surprise to you that scrap booking has become one of the most popular was to keep your pictures and memories. There are not very many people who just put their pictures in an album and leave them. With so many cute papers to buy at craft and scrapbook stores why would you want to? As you create your great scrapbook pages, keep in mind these helpful tips on how to make your pages last longer. Always use archival quality products. I am not just talking about he paper you use; everything! It does not good if you are using archival paper, without archival inks and adhesives. The paper will last, but the ink will start to bleed or discolor and the adhesives will begin to loosen. Archival products are acid free and will not discolor thus lasting much longer than non archival.
Holiday decorations
If you are planning on making some great holiday craft decorations out of paper and want them to last more than one holiday season you will want to make sure to take some precautions before and after you make them. If it is a decoration that will be hanging somewhere make sure that you choose some heavy duty paper. Don’t just use your regular computer paper, as this will tear very easily. You can also buy some clear sprays or glues that you can paint on to your paper after you have finished with your project. The objective of the glue is to make the paper stiff and give it a longer life. You can also buy contact paper and use that over your paper crafts. It is sort of like laminating them, just a little cheaper.
Whatever it is you may be thinking of crafting with paper you should always look at the type of paper you are buying. Believe it or not, paper comes in different weights and thickness. Thin paper obviously is not so durable but may be easier to mold into what you are making. Thicker paper may last longer just due to its thickness. If you want to make crafts that you want to hang think about laminating them when you are done. Laminating anything makes it last forever because it becomes virtually impossible to tear. There are lots of different ways to make your paper crafts last longer, it really depends on what you are making. Go into your local craft or scrapbook store and ask for some helpful advice and good luck.