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TAC, SU!, CTMH Scrapbooks - Another comparison thread
I noticed that the leather 12x12 TAC scrapbook is $20 and the CTMH equivalent is $50. SU!s is $40.
That seems like a large price range for similar items. Does anybody own more than one brand? Have you compared them? Do you like one better than another? They all seem to be post bound. TAC's has a cover picture window.
I don't know the answers, but I am glad that you posted this because I would like to know, too.
May I add a few more questions? It has to do with the page protectors. Are they true 12 x 12 and are they made to lie flat when the album is open? How many come with each album? I can find this information (# of pages) by looking in the catalogs, but for comparison purposes this should be considered, too.
:oops: I just found out one more important detail! The albums are called leather in the catalog but are in truth leatherette (aka. faux leather). I do understand that they are still very nice quality but, of course, that's an important distinction. :???: :???:
So, that would be more in comparison to CTMH's simulated leather at $39.95.
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Wow! Thanks for the input and additional questions. I have thus far not invested in a scrapbook as I'm not really into it, but I'm having child number three any day and had a scrapbook shower where the guests made me 12x12 2-page lay-outs so I need a book to fill.
Close to my Heart leather albums are genuine leather, and they smell AMAZING! I bought one for my wedding album, and one for our family trip to Ireland... Yes, they are $50, but the quality (and smell) are definitely worth it, especially for "important" albums... Just my two cents! ;)
CTMH albums are CM quality. I don't know about the SU albums, but the CTMH albums are so much better than TAC albums. I love the CTMH cloth albums. Just lovely.
I noticed that the leather 12x12 TAC scrapbook is $20 and the CTMH equivalent is $50. SU!s is $40.
That seems like a large price range for similar items. Does anybody own more than one brand? Have you compared them? Do you like one better than another? They all seem to be post bound. TAC's has a cover picture window.
Thanks for your help,
Leah
TAC 12x12 Scrapbook is Faux Leather. So this might be why we are less expensive.
CTMH leather albums are fabulous. They are so sturdy. I have a friend who has som many pages in hers. The album is about 6 inches thick and still very sturdy. Also, pay attention to album spines. Some album spines are very flimsy. I also love their protectors. They lay flat and are a bit thicker. I like this fact especially when I use lumpier or metal embellishments.
Keep im mind I am not comparing any of these attributes of the CTMH albums to SU or TAC. I have never used these albums. These are just attributes that I loook for in albums and CTMH albums have them.
The linen can be wiped if something is on it, but, we also carry album protectors to go over the linen. These are great if you know your albums will be handled alot. No need to worry then!
I mostly scrap 8.5x11, but I have albums from both CTMH and SU. I started using 8.5x11 linen and imitation leather from CTMH, so when they discontinued this size I was so sad because they are such great quality. Thankfully SU began offering more linen and leather albums at about the same time. I think the quality (sturdiness of album, full size page protectors that lie flat, 3 posts for 8.5x11) of both companies is equal.
I do like the leather and imitation leather better. The linen sometimes shows finger prints or dust, but as someone said they can be wiped off. The linen can also get dents or puncture wounds when they are dropped (oops!). Because of cost and availablity I actually have more linen albums than leather. I wish both companies would offer 8.5x11 in imitation leather, or more leather colors.
I am also pleased in that the 8.5x11 protectors from SU can also be used with my old CTMH albums. Not sure if this is the case for the 12x12 or 6x6 ones though. CTMH offers matte and clear protectors, while SU has clear. I tend to like clear better, so again I am happy with both companies.
To sum up, both CTMH and SU have high quality albums and page protectors and I think you'd be pleased with the 12x12 albums from either company.
I'm an SU demo, so you can guess which ones I use. I have to say truthfully that I am very pleased with their quality, compared to some albums I have bought in the past. The page protectors stay in nice shape over time (don't get scratched up like cheaper ones I've had). As long as you use the right page protectors (the ones for post albums that have the extra gusset) they lie flat.
Although I have had lots of people order the leather albums and can say it is good quality, I have always ordered the linen albums. I have been very happy. They are sturdy and the linen is a nice tight weave. I have albums in every color and none of them show the dirt (and I have kids who look at them frequently). The only slight disappointment I had was when I first expected the natural linen album to be more cream colored (that's how it looked in the catalog when it first came out). It had more brown flecks than I expected, closer to a burlap (although I have seen some later that are lighter, so I think the natural color can vary). So as long as you are not expecting something close to an ivory/cream color, it is fine.
I really love the SU linen RING albumns... You can STAMP in them which is cool... and mine have held up GREAT... getting passed all over workshops and eveything too! I love the Ring binder albums too because I don't have to fiddle with the posts... they look GREAT too!
TAC, SU!, CTMH Scrapbooks - Another comparison thread
