Tag Album with Hidden Hinges

A project from our live show STUDIO 3 INDUSTRY NEWS - brought to you by Toni Darroch - broadcast 7th April 22 · 04/07/2022 · watch it from 13:00

Create a beautiful mini album using tag-shaped pieces connected with hidden hinges. The album can fold multiple ways and is perfect for gifting, displaying photos, or holding small mementos. It's an inexpensive project that uses scraps and pattern papers to create a sturdy, decorative keepsake.

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Step by step

1. Cut white card stock and patterned papers to 2.5 inches using a trimmer, preparing multiple pieces for your album pages. ▶ watch 14:00
2. Use a tag punch to punch out tag shapes from your cut card stock and patterned paper pieces. ▶ watch 19:45
3. Score the off-cut pieces from your tag punching using a score tool to create fold lines for hidden hinges. ▶ watch 25:30
4. Trim the scored off-cut pieces with scissors to create small hinge strips, keeping them roughly the same width. ▶ watch 26:00
5. Apply glue to one side of a hinge strip and attach it to the back of your first tag, positioning it at the edge. ▶ watch 27:00
6. Attach your second tag to the other side of the hinge strip, ensuring the tags are aligned and level. ▶ watch 27:15
7. Repeat the hinge-and-tag process with additional tags to build your multi-page album structure. ▶ watch 28:00
8. Glue patterned paper pieces to both sides of your tags to hide the hinges and create a finished look. ▶ watch 36:15
9. Trim excess patterned paper flush with the tag edges using scissors, being careful not to cut into the tags. ▶ watch 43:00
10. Create pockets by gluing the cut-off tag pieces to the inside pages, leaving three sides open to hold small items. ▶ watch 45:30
11. Embellish the album pages with toppers, flowers, or other decorative elements to personalise your design. ▶ watch 49:00
12. Add a decorative wrap or belly band around the album and secure with a hole punch and bow for presentation. ▶ watch 53:15

Tips from the show

• You don't have to see the hinge, so it doesn't matter if it's fat or uneven—it will be hidden by the patterned paper.
• Make your hinge fatter if you're not confident with precise hand work; the hidden nature means size doesn't matter.
• Use all your scraps and off-cuts; don't throw away the pieces left from punching, as they become your hinges and pockets.

Written up from the show itself. See every guide from our shows · free how-to guides · watch live on My Telly