If you're interested in sharing your work with other scrapbookers or want to make several copies of a special album, it is helpful to know how to photocopy a 12x12 scrapbook page.
The Challenge of Large Pages
Most photocopiers are designed to produce images on standard letter size or tabloid size paper. This arrangement works well for traditional office photocopying, but presents some challenges for scrapbookers. Typical scrapbook pages are square with each side measuring 12 inches in length. Letter size paper is usually 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches, and tabloid size paper is 11 inches by 17 inches.
In order to accommodate a larger square image, you need to make a few adjustments. With a little planning, you can use some standard photocopier features to produce copies of your scrapbook pages. In fact, you can even create a copy of an entire album to give as a gift or simply share with friends.
How to Photocopy a 12x12 Scrapbook Page or Album
Even if you're an expert in using office equipment, a photocopier can seem a little intimidating. Fortunately, most copiers have fairly similar features; you just need to learn how to take advantage of them. With a little practice, you can become a pro at copying a scrapbook album page.
Things you need:
- Photocopier
- 12x12 scrapbook page
- Tabloid size copier paper
- Paper cutter or scissors
Step by step instructions:
- Open the photocopier and arrange your scrapbook page onto the glass. Line up the corners of your album with the small corner markers on the copier glass. This will ensure that your image is properly aligned with the copy paper.
- Close the copier and use the control panel buttons to reduce the image by 92 percent. This setting creates a page that is 11x11 inches, just slightly smaller than your original scrapbook page.
- Before printing, make sure that the paper loaded in the copier is tabloid size. Next, double-check that the copier paper selection is set on tabloid size.
- Press the copy button and wait while the photocopier scans and prints the image.
- Examine the paper to make sure that the scrapbook image is clear. If the image isn't aligned with the paper, then repeat the process.
- Use a paper cutter to trim off any excess paper so that the copied page is a square sheet. If you want an entire copy of your scrapbook, then photocopy each page of your album by repeating Steps 1 through 5.
Helpful Tips
Keep the following tips in mind as you work:
- When possible, remove the page you want to copy from the rest of the album and then place it on the glass surface of the copier. If this isn't possible, then try to press the album as flat as you can onto the glass while the machine scans the page.
- If you're copying pages directly from an album, tape a blank sheet of paper over the facing page to avoid copying unwanted images. This makes it easier to trim your finished copy.
- Some albums have embellishments that may scratch the glass of the copier. If your album has lots of brads or wire embellishments, then take a digital photo of the page instead of trying to copy it. You can then copy and print the photo image onto tabloid size paper.
- Shiny stickers and other decorations can interfere with the functioning of a copier and produce glare in the final image. If possible, try to minimize the use of these items in albums you plan to photocopy.
A Useful Skill
Knowing how to photocopy a 12x12 scrapbook page can be a very useful skill. You can use these copies to demonstrate techniques in a scrapbooking class, share your albums with friends and family, or simply preserve the image of a treasured layout.
