Printed Paper Organization

[annabelle1974]

I can barely keep all my solid color cardstock organized and at hand. Over the years I have collected many sheets of decorative paper with plans to use it. Problem is that if I put it files there is no way to describe these individual sheets so that I can remember what I have. I am overloaded with paper I love and don't want to give up, but constantly forget to use. How do you make sure you remember what you have? (Can you all tell I am in an organizing mood).

[Jessrose21]

I'd love to help, but I have no idea either! I don't have a whole lot, so I keep mine on shelves I made from wire cubes from Target. You could try organizing by color, or theme, or company. Or a combination of those three. Floral, shapes, text, etc. I guess I do have some ideas after all!

Here are several links showing the shelving. The "shelves" are attached using zip ties from the electrical department.Wire cube shelving
Wire cube shelving 2
Wire cube shelving 3 Now that's a lot of paper!!

[scrappinchick]

I do not have a "system" for remembering what I have, but my solution to my problem of not remembering what I have is to NOT BUY anymore printed paper!!! LOL I go through my printed paper often, and if I really can not find anything that goes with a page I have in mind to scrapbook, or a project I have in mind, then I will break down and buy ONLY what I need.

I went on a paper binge for about a year.....now I have enough to wallpaper my house 4 times over!!! LOL

[SweetMissDaisy]

I don't think this is much of a system, but here's what I have to work with at this point. This is a topic I'm trying to get ideas about as well, since I'll be moving later this summer and would like to have an idea of how to set up my new space in the new house.

Here's what I do currently -- I have 6 12x12 drawers from Walmart stacked under my sorry excuse for a cutting table. ;) I organize the drawers by manufacturer, or by type of paper. For example, all Basic Grey is in one drawer, Daisy D in another, and I have "random manufacturers" drawers for papers that are similar, separated by pastels, vintage, woodsy/masculine, etc. I really like these paper storage units, but don't really like how I have them in the room currently. But, my room is a home office too and is certainly not like I would like it. Looking forward to the move where I can get organized!!

So, uh ... the whole memory thing is just another issue I have -- and it's not limited to just paper!! :mrgreen:

[K. Benko]

I also would love to hear more ideas of storing patterned paper. I have to rifle through each page looking for the one I want. Not very efficient.

[mamakimberly]

I have a big accordian type 12x12 file. I keep them divided by colors..... all yellows together, browns together, greens together, etc....

so if I am working on a pixie pink and celery color combo I can open to the pinks or the greens and dig through for a perfect matching paper

[MazG]

I use cropper hopper vertical organizers and sort paper by theme and/or manufacturer.

For example, each provo craft slab is separated by a divider (rob n bob, pastels), my K&Co Life's Journey (vintage), Basic Grey Sublime (shabby chic). This way I look for things by theme, if I'm making a kids page/card I would look at rob n bob or pastels, a heritage one in my vintage papers etc.

This works for me (right now). I also keep the slab cover (with the swatches) with my papers for a quick review of what I've got.

I've got all my papers in about 3 CH vertical holders.

[ukycats_1]

I organize mine by theme...Holiday, Travel, Baby, Outdoors, Birthday, Special. This has really helped me find what I am looking for.