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General Philatelic/Gen. Discussion : Making my own album

 

Author
Postings
wjalexander
Members Picture


22 Sep 2019
03:04:59am
I'm venturing into making my own album pages to give some sort of structure to my existing collection. Currently most of my collection is in stock books laid out by year with some more organised than others.

I'm starting with my Canada collection and using it as a test as its one of the more unorganized ones. I only have a faint idea what stamps I'm missing and haven't had a chance to really delve into varieties. This is what a typical page looks like:

Image Not Found

And this is what I've made up:

Image Not Found

I've bought a 4 ring binder from lighthouse as to match my stockbooks. Going ahead i'm going to start printing pages off to make sure they work with the hole punching, attaching mounts and work well in practice before producing all the rest.

Even know taking that picture I'm realizing the special delivery stamp would be suited below the peace stamps and the Alexander Bell stamp to the next page. All part of the process!

My biggest concern is the holes in the pages getting torn and damage through use. If anyone has some hot tips I'd love to know how you went with creating your own albums and any problems you didn't think of at first.

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wjalexander
angore
Members Picture


Al
Collector, Moderator

22 Sep 2019
05:59:42am
re: Making my own album

Very classy looking...more like a printed book with bleed on right edge.

What fonts did you use?

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"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
musicman
Members Picture


APS #213005

22 Sep 2019
07:53:15am
re: Making my own album

I agree!

Elegant looking page.

What numbering system are you using?

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BenFranklin1902
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Tom in Exton, PA

22 Sep 2019
07:16:19pm
re: Making my own album

You don't have to put holes in your pages. Some folks buy page holders that hold an entire 8.5x11 sheet, and that page holder fits in a 3 ring binder.

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"Check out my eBay Stuff! Username Turtles-Trading-Post"
clivel
Members Picture


22 Sep 2019
08:02:25pm
re: Making my own album

"My biggest concern is the holes in the pages getting torn and damage through use. If anyone has some hot tips I'd love to know how you went with creating your own albums and any problems you didn't think of at first.
"



As mentioned by BenFranklin1902, one option is to use page holders or page protectors with two pages placed back to back. Here is one of my first albums in a Lighthouse four ring binder:

Image Not Found

When I was only collecting one or two relatively small countries, I used Lighthouse blank pages and Lighthouse page protectors. The pages are really nice, a slightly textured finish in an appealing off-white cream colour.

The page protectors, unlike regular office products, have a transparent edge where the holes are. I don't like the white edge with the manufacture's name found on the regular office items - to my eye they "cheapen" the album.

Image Not Found

The biggest disadvantage with the Lighthouse pages and protectors is the price, they are horrendously expensive, so much so that I have stopped using them.
So right now I am looking for alternatives.

Clive



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"AlbumEasy - Free software for creating custom stamp album pages."

www.thestampweb.com
larsdog
Members Picture


APS #220693 ATA#57179

22 Sep 2019
10:52:12pm
re: Making my own album

I make a lot of my own pages, but I print one sided on card stock (a little more than 3 times as thick as printer paper) and use hole reinforcement labels (like Avery 6755) on the back of the holes on every single page. I find the thicker paper and reinforcements do the trick.

Lars

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wjalexander
Members Picture


23 Sep 2019
04:57:10am
re: Making my own album

"Very classy looking...more like a printed book with bleed on right edge.

What fonts did you use?"



I have a Unitrade Catalogue and it has a similar method of spiting the catalogue with the current ruler. Looked nice so i had to follow suite.

I'm using a mixture of a font called "Optimus Princeps" for the Titles and the remaining text is "Bell MT"


"What numbering system are you using?"



I'm using the Scott numbering though the Unitrade Specialised Catalogue of Canadian Stamps.


I'm leaning towards what Lars has said of reinforcing them. I'll be using fairly thick paper (somewhere between 150-200gsm) so in the short term I don't see an issue but I'm sure in a year or two they might start cropping up.
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wjalexander
BWSchulz

25 Sep 2019
11:55:54pm
re: Making my own album

I've recently started making my own pages. I have a specialized Germany collection with focus on issues before 1940. I've made my own pages for my Frankfurt am Main covers, pre annexation by Prussia and an album for World War One material. I just started on my German Empire issues. These have been housed in Scott specialty binders, but over the decades the pages have been cluttered and my handwriting has deteriorated with age. This is a learning experience. Some pages I'll revisit to improve them. Some are just fine.

I use an older WordPerfect Program. It's easy to format. I try to keep my pages simple, though I add descriptions and illustrations where I think necessary. Here is an example.

Image Not Found

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BWSchulz

26 Sep 2019
12:18:02am
re: Making my own album

Here is another example of one of my home-made pages from my German Empire album. When I finally complete this project, I'll move on to the Wiemar Republic issues.
Image Not Found

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cdj1122
Members Picture


Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..

26 Sep 2019
10:23:10am
re: Making my own album

" .... The biggest disadvantage with the Lighthouse pages
and protectors is the price, they are horrendously expensive, ...."


Probably so, but a close second that might not be apparent yet
will be the weight of a two or three inch binder.
As the albums fill, and you age, this will be something to allow
for at the start
I had my Machin reference collection on Vario pages in 2½" binders,
which became impossible to handle, on high shelves to desk, or table,
from a wheelchair. The cure was simple, use 1" or 1½" binders, but
that led to some challenging decisions as to where to make the most
logical break points.

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".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
angore
Members Picture


Al
Collector, Moderator

26 Sep 2019
11:09:33am
re: Making my own album

Yes, a large binder full of vario is heavy even without the stamps!

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"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
wjalexander
Members Picture


27 Sep 2019
06:23:10am
re: Making my own album

I'm a young bloke so I've got plenty of time to sort things out before the albums get too heavy for me.

I've also stumbled on that Canada Post has free international shipping on some of their products. I would be able to get some of the lighthouse binders for nearly half price compared to what I would get in Australia. Although they would be 3 Ring not the usual 4 ring we have here in Australia.

For those that have rows of binders and stockbooks etc... whats your method of labeling the spine to distinguish one from the other?

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this post

wjalexander
angore
Members Picture


Al
Collector, Moderator

27 Sep 2019
06:35:21am
re: Making my own album


1. By using page protectors and not using hole punching you get more space in addition to putting them back to back. A4 is slightly narrower and taller than US letter size.

2. He found a source for page protectors that are clear around hole punching so you do not see branding. Many page protectors show brand name.

If you use page protectors, the benefit of 4 ring over 3 ring is reduced.

Image Not FoundClive's pages have two aspects that may not been mentioned.


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"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
angore
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Al
Collector, Moderator

27 Sep 2019
08:41:35am
re: Making my own album

When making clone album pages to match my pre-printed Mystic album pages I noticed that my page text, borders, and images had blacker blacks. The same is true with Scott album pages. After some experiments, you can adjust the level of black (in software or printer driver) to more closer simulate a offset/litho printed page vs a laser or inkjet printed page if that is important.

Like
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this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
larsdog
Members Picture


APS #220693 ATA#57179

27 Sep 2019
11:08:07pm
re: Making my own album

"Probably so, but a close second that might not be apparent yet
will be the weight of a two or three inch binder.
As the albums fill, and you age, this will be something to allow
for at the start."



That's not just an issue of the age of the person and their physical abilities, but the stress you put on the binders themselves and the pages. I have a collection that I am developing currently housed in a 3" binder that will soon be housed in 4 1" binders. Not because I have any difficulty managing the binder, but I find the stress on a 3" binder to be so much greater and I have to flip through so many pages to get where I want to go. Every flip is a stress on that page. There are also situations where I would like to compare pages from the front part to the BOB part, and with multiple binders that's easy.

Just a thought.

Lars

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likes this post.
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"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

stamps.colp.info
larsdog
Members Picture


APS #220693 ATA#57179

27 Sep 2019
11:11:29pm
re: Making my own album

"When making clone album pages to match my pre-printed Mystic album pages I noticed that my page text, borders, and images had blacker blacks. The same is true with Scott album pages. After some experiments, you can adjust the level of black (in software or printer driver) to more closer simulate a offset/litho printed page vs a laser or inkjet printed page if that is important. "



Good point! To replicate White Ace pages I use #333333 instead of #000000 for the font color.

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"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

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Author/Postings
Members Picture
wjalexander

22 Sep 2019
03:04:59am

I'm venturing into making my own album pages to give some sort of structure to my existing collection. Currently most of my collection is in stock books laid out by year with some more organised than others.

I'm starting with my Canada collection and using it as a test as its one of the more unorganized ones. I only have a faint idea what stamps I'm missing and haven't had a chance to really delve into varieties. This is what a typical page looks like:

Image Not Found

And this is what I've made up:

Image Not Found

I've bought a 4 ring binder from lighthouse as to match my stockbooks. Going ahead i'm going to start printing pages off to make sure they work with the hole punching, attaching mounts and work well in practice before producing all the rest.

Even know taking that picture I'm realizing the special delivery stamp would be suited below the peace stamps and the Alexander Bell stamp to the next page. All part of the process!

My biggest concern is the holes in the pages getting torn and damage through use. If anyone has some hot tips I'd love to know how you went with creating your own albums and any problems you didn't think of at first.

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

wjalexander
Members Picture
angore

Al
Collector, Moderator
22 Sep 2019
05:59:42am

re: Making my own album

Very classy looking...more like a printed book with bleed on right edge.

What fonts did you use?

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
Members Picture
musicman

APS #213005
22 Sep 2019
07:53:15am

re: Making my own album

I agree!

Elegant looking page.

What numbering system are you using?

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
BenFranklin1902

Tom in Exton, PA
22 Sep 2019
07:16:19pm

re: Making my own album

You don't have to put holes in your pages. Some folks buy page holders that hold an entire 8.5x11 sheet, and that page holder fits in a 3 ring binder.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Check out my eBay Stuff! Username Turtles-Trading-Post"
Members Picture
clivel

22 Sep 2019
08:02:25pm

re: Making my own album

"My biggest concern is the holes in the pages getting torn and damage through use. If anyone has some hot tips I'd love to know how you went with creating your own albums and any problems you didn't think of at first.
"



As mentioned by BenFranklin1902, one option is to use page holders or page protectors with two pages placed back to back. Here is one of my first albums in a Lighthouse four ring binder:

Image Not Found

When I was only collecting one or two relatively small countries, I used Lighthouse blank pages and Lighthouse page protectors. The pages are really nice, a slightly textured finish in an appealing off-white cream colour.

The page protectors, unlike regular office products, have a transparent edge where the holes are. I don't like the white edge with the manufacture's name found on the regular office items - to my eye they "cheapen" the album.

Image Not Found

The biggest disadvantage with the Lighthouse pages and protectors is the price, they are horrendously expensive, so much so that I have stopped using them.
So right now I am looking for alternatives.

Clive



Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

"AlbumEasy - Free software for creating custom stamp album pages."

www.thestampweb.com
Members Picture
larsdog

APS #220693 ATA#57179
22 Sep 2019
10:52:12pm

re: Making my own album

I make a lot of my own pages, but I print one sided on card stock (a little more than 3 times as thick as printer paper) and use hole reinforcement labels (like Avery 6755) on the back of the holes on every single page. I find the thicker paper and reinforcements do the trick.

Lars

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

stamps.colp.info
Members Picture
wjalexander

23 Sep 2019
04:57:10am

re: Making my own album

"Very classy looking...more like a printed book with bleed on right edge.

What fonts did you use?"



I have a Unitrade Catalogue and it has a similar method of spiting the catalogue with the current ruler. Looked nice so i had to follow suite.

I'm using a mixture of a font called "Optimus Princeps" for the Titles and the remaining text is "Bell MT"


"What numbering system are you using?"



I'm using the Scott numbering though the Unitrade Specialised Catalogue of Canadian Stamps.


I'm leaning towards what Lars has said of reinforcing them. I'll be using fairly thick paper (somewhere between 150-200gsm) so in the short term I don't see an issue but I'm sure in a year or two they might start cropping up.
Like
Login to Like
this post

wjalexander
BWSchulz

25 Sep 2019
11:55:54pm

re: Making my own album

I've recently started making my own pages. I have a specialized Germany collection with focus on issues before 1940. I've made my own pages for my Frankfurt am Main covers, pre annexation by Prussia and an album for World War One material. I just started on my German Empire issues. These have been housed in Scott specialty binders, but over the decades the pages have been cluttered and my handwriting has deteriorated with age. This is a learning experience. Some pages I'll revisit to improve them. Some are just fine.

I use an older WordPerfect Program. It's easy to format. I try to keep my pages simple, though I add descriptions and illustrations where I think necessary. Here is an example.

Image Not Found

Like 
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
BWSchulz

26 Sep 2019
12:18:02am

re: Making my own album

Here is another example of one of my home-made pages from my German Empire album. When I finally complete this project, I'll move on to the Wiemar Republic issues.
Image Not Found

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
26 Sep 2019
10:23:10am

re: Making my own album

" .... The biggest disadvantage with the Lighthouse pages
and protectors is the price, they are horrendously expensive, ...."


Probably so, but a close second that might not be apparent yet
will be the weight of a two or three inch binder.
As the albums fill, and you age, this will be something to allow
for at the start
I had my Machin reference collection on Vario pages in 2½" binders,
which became impossible to handle, on high shelves to desk, or table,
from a wheelchair. The cure was simple, use 1" or 1½" binders, but
that led to some challenging decisions as to where to make the most
logical break points.

Like
Login to Like
this post

".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
Members Picture
angore

Al
Collector, Moderator
26 Sep 2019
11:09:33am

re: Making my own album

Yes, a large binder full of vario is heavy even without the stamps!

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
Members Picture
wjalexander

27 Sep 2019
06:23:10am

re: Making my own album

I'm a young bloke so I've got plenty of time to sort things out before the albums get too heavy for me.

I've also stumbled on that Canada Post has free international shipping on some of their products. I would be able to get some of the lighthouse binders for nearly half price compared to what I would get in Australia. Although they would be 3 Ring not the usual 4 ring we have here in Australia.

For those that have rows of binders and stockbooks etc... whats your method of labeling the spine to distinguish one from the other?

Like
Login to Like
this post

wjalexander
Members Picture
angore

Al
Collector, Moderator
27 Sep 2019
06:35:21am

re: Making my own album


1. By using page protectors and not using hole punching you get more space in addition to putting them back to back. A4 is slightly narrower and taller than US letter size.

2. He found a source for page protectors that are clear around hole punching so you do not see branding. Many page protectors show brand name.

If you use page protectors, the benefit of 4 ring over 3 ring is reduced.

Image Not FoundClive's pages have two aspects that may not been mentioned.


Like 
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
Members Picture
angore

Al
Collector, Moderator
27 Sep 2019
08:41:35am

re: Making my own album

When making clone album pages to match my pre-printed Mystic album pages I noticed that my page text, borders, and images had blacker blacks. The same is true with Scott album pages. After some experiments, you can adjust the level of black (in software or printer driver) to more closer simulate a offset/litho printed page vs a laser or inkjet printed page if that is important.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
Members Picture
larsdog

APS #220693 ATA#57179
27 Sep 2019
11:08:07pm

re: Making my own album

"Probably so, but a close second that might not be apparent yet
will be the weight of a two or three inch binder.
As the albums fill, and you age, this will be something to allow
for at the start."



That's not just an issue of the age of the person and their physical abilities, but the stress you put on the binders themselves and the pages. I have a collection that I am developing currently housed in a 3" binder that will soon be housed in 4 1" binders. Not because I have any difficulty managing the binder, but I find the stress on a 3" binder to be so much greater and I have to flip through so many pages to get where I want to go. Every flip is a stress on that page. There are also situations where I would like to compare pages from the front part to the BOB part, and with multiple binders that's easy.

Just a thought.

Lars

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

stamps.colp.info
Members Picture
larsdog

APS #220693 ATA#57179
27 Sep 2019
11:11:29pm

re: Making my own album

"When making clone album pages to match my pre-printed Mystic album pages I noticed that my page text, borders, and images had blacker blacks. The same is true with Scott album pages. After some experiments, you can adjust the level of black (in software or printer driver) to more closer simulate a offset/litho printed page vs a laser or inkjet printed page if that is important. "



Good point! To replicate White Ace pages I use #333333 instead of #000000 for the font color.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

stamps.colp.info
        

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