All you need to know about printing photos for traditional albums
Words by MyFUJIFILMMarch 20, 2024
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No matter how many years go by, there will always be something truly timeless about thumbing through the pages of a traditional photo album — something that digital photographs just can’t capture. The beauty of classic photo albums allow us to revisit special moments, reliving the emotions captured in each and every photograph.
At MyFUJIFILM, we understand the importance of preserving these heartfelt memories. If you’re interested in creating your own traditional photo album, it’s important to know how to print photos for a photo album. After all, this ensures that your memories are displayed proudly for years to come.
What is a traditional photo album?
Make no mistake — a traditional photo album is more than just a book filled with nice pictures. Instead, view your traditional album as a safe, physical holding place for your cherished memories. Traditional photo albums are carefully designed with sturdy covers and durable photographic paper to house the most special of printed photographs, creating a physical record of a loved one’s significant moments.
Is there such a thing as a ‘standard’ traditional photo album?
Photography knows no boundaries, so your traditional photo album could be whatever size you feel resonates with its contents. Whether that be a pocket-sized photo album to flick through throughout the day or a large photo album to pull out for nostalgic occasions, the choice is ultimately yours.
When we talk about traditional photo albums in this context, however, we refer to the classic physical books where your printed photographs are carefully arranged onto pages.
Traditional photo albums come in various sizes, but the most common standard photo album size is 8x10 inches. If you fancy making a bigger statement with your traditional album, then large photo albums can be as big as 12x12 inches — more than enough space for your beloved memories, and more for the future!
How is a traditional photo album different from a photo book?
It’s very easy to see a photo album and a photo book as one and the same. While they do serve the same purpose, there is a key difference to keep in mind.
Photo books are more akin to art and storytelling through photography. In comparison to photo albums, they allow for creative layouts and themes, making them ideal for showcasing a curated selection of photos from a specific event or trip.
Alternatively, a traditional photo album focuses on preserving a chronological or thematic sequence of images, making them perfect for reliving a series of nostalgic moments.
Both formats have their merits and can be a wonderful way to store and display your favourite images.
How to use a traditional photo album
If you have a memory or an event in your life that you’d like to pay homage to and relive, a traditional photo album is the best place to home your printed photographs. From births to first days of school throughout the years, your traditional photo album is a physical resting place for special days gone by, no matter the occasion.
Weddings
Capture the magic of your own or your loved one’s big day with photographs of the ceremony, reception, candid moments, and portraits of the bride and groom. Wedding days often zoom by in the blink of an eye, so it’s a good idea to use a traditional photo album as a place to reminisce and relive the feelings of this joyous day.
Milestones
Celebrate significant life events like graduations, anniversaries, and milestone birthdays with photos to remind you of how far you and your loved ones have come since.
Travelling
Document your travel adventures from around the world, from stunning landscapes to candid shots of locals and your travel companions (and maybe a few fun nights that you need a bit of help remembering!)
Family reunions
Gather the generations of your family and capture the undeniable joy of family reunions, complete with candid shots and group portraits. A traditional photo album can also give the future generations of your family the chance to see family members they may not get to meet. While this may be a bittersweet experience, it’s one that you’ll be glad to share with the help of a traditional album.
New additions
Welcome a new family member with a collection of photos of a pregnancy, birth, and a new baby's first moments. There’s a lot to document in 9 months, and a photo album will allow you to look back on the special time with pride.
Holiday festivities
Relive the joy of your chosen holidays with images of festive decorations, family gatherings, and those precious smiles during unforgettable gift exchanges. Preserve the joy of the holidays in the secure pages of a traditional photo album for years to come.
Family legacy and history
Create albums dedicated to preserving your family history, including vintage photographs, heirlooms, and stories from generations gone by. Not only does this add a sense of pride and nostalgia, but it’s also an opportunity to learn more about your interesting and unique lineage.
As you can see from the above examples, traditional photo albums are extremely versatile — they can essentially be defined by anything you want them to be. Perfect for capturing the essence of any notable occasion.
Are traditional photo albums still important?
Traditional photo albums will always hold a unique place in our hearts. They serve as archives of family history, capturing milestones, weddings, and many other cherished memories so we can relive them through each turn of the page.
At MyFUJIFILM, we believe that traditional albums create a tangible connection to memories that no phone or camera ever could. For instance, digital photos that can easily be forgotten or lost in the ominous ‘cloud’, whereas traditional albums offer a tactile connection to the past like no other product.
There’s also something about being able to pass down a beautifully crafted album to future generations. You could even make it a heartfelt tradition that helps preserve family stories and legacies.
With traditional albums, there’s also a level of security and accessibility that can’t be disregarded. Unlike digital devices, you don't need power or an internet connection to enjoy a traditional album – just good company and good lighting to view your memories in peace.
What size images should you use in a traditional photo album?
For traditional photo albums, we’d recommend using standard photo print sizes that fit the traditional album pages. The most common standard photo prints are 6x4 inches and 4x4 inches.
These standard print sizes ensure your photos fit neatly, allowing for a simple and clear arrangement.
What's the best way to stick photos into an album?
When it comes to attaching photos to your traditional album, you have several options. Of course, we’d suggest that you use these options to protect your images from damage.
Double-sided tape is also a reliable choice, as it provides a clean and flat surface for your photos. However, be sure to use acid-free tape to prevent any damage to your images over time.
Sticky dots are widely available in a range of highstreet shops. These are small adhesive circles that are perfect for securing photos. They are easy to use and offer a secure hold for your memories on the pages of your photo album.
If you have a creative streak and fancy doing something somewhat un-traditional for your traditional album, decorative tapes can add a creative flair to your album. As they’re available in various patterns and colours, you can personalise your album pages as you wish.
Create a traditional photo album with MyFUJIFILM
At MyFUJIFILM, we understand the importance of preserving your memories in a tangible and meaningful way. That's why we offer high-quality printing services to bring your photos to life, however you choose to display them.
Don't let your best-loved memories remain trapped in a cloud of digital files. Use our photo printing service and start creating your own traditional photo albums.