Scrapbook Ideas for Newspaper Clippings

Newspaper articles are often lost or destroyed when clipped out of the paper and stored. Incorporating the clippings into a scrapbook is a creative way to display and preserve the memorable clips. The paper must be treated before it is stored and can be enhanced with personal photographs or captions to create a unique scrapbook display and layout.

Prepare and Protect

• The paper that newspapers are printed on contains lignin, an impurity that causes the paper to quickly deteriorate. Newspapers will either need to be scanned then printed or treated with spray before they are placed in a scrapbook. Print articles on archival paper with an antique finish to give the impression of a newspaper. Use archival spray with a deactivation ingredient to stop the paper from yellowing and falling apart. Place older newspapers in a shallow baking dish and soak in distilled water for about 20 minutes. This will clean the paper, as well as help the paper regain rigidity; allow the paper to dry before use. Treated newspapers can still cause other paper in your scrapbook to yellow and decay. Place the newspaper in a page protector to keep pages safe.

Sports Captions

• A newspaper article is an informative caption to a memorable photo. Pair sports photos with corresponding newspaper articles that feature game highlights. This is especially ideal for children who have been featured in the paper for making a memorable play. Scrapbooks that highlight an entire sports season are enhanced by articles with play-by-plays that are placed beside personal photos that showcase the player in action.

Wedding and Birth Announcements

• Preserve wedding announcements from the local paper in your scrapbook by pairing them with special wedding photographs. Birth announcements are also enhanced by articles placed underneath a birth photo or on the same page. Use this process for historical articles that are paired with old family photos, which give context and depth to the visual story.

Personal Highlights

• Combine newspapers with memorable photos of a loved one that has recently passed as a memorial. Collect historic newspapers that feature military service and achievements, community involvement, announcements and obituaries. Find correlating images within your own photo collection to pair with appropriate articles. The scrapbook can be a form of healing, as well as a fount of information for future generations as you discover facts about the family member that was lost.