How to fill out the Baby Book
Let's get to them!1. Photos:
Photos are one of the most important parts of the Book. Along with the records, they make each album unique and personalized. That's why we suggest printing them on good quality paper, at print shops or even at home but with good inks. All of this influences the durability of the print, and we want all images to remain intact for many years, right? Some types of paper we like to use are Eggshell and Laid. If you prefer to print at a quick print shop, it's worth asking what paper they use and opting for higher grammages (like 180g).
One thing we like to do at Meg is gather all the photos we're going to print into a single file (which can be in Illustrator or even Word) and leave a space of about 3 cm between the base of each photo. This way, we can cut the paper with a frame that mimics instant Polaroid-style photos (this tip is also great to use when assembling the monthly memories page of the Meg Planner!). For borders with a more professional finish, we recommend cutting photos with a guillotine or with a utility knife + scissors. This allows you to create very straight and well-spaced borders.
Another great idea is to apply a black and white filter to some photos. Filters can be applied with dedicated apps or even in Word under the "format picture" tab.
2. Pens:
Test all the pens you want to use on a scratch piece of paper before writing directly in the album. The Meg Baby Book comes with a test card made with the same paper as the inside pages, which provides more confidence when writing, as you'll know how the ink will behave on the pages and if that pen will be ideal for your notes. For the Meg Book, we like to write with CD markers or permanent markers. They don't smudge and can also be used to write on photos. There are various colors and tip types, like these here, here, and here.
3. Layers:
Using other papers (such as scrapbook papers, for example) to create backgrounds and frames is also a great way to personalize the album. You can cut or tear (depending on the type of finish you want) colorful or patterned sheets in various shapes. Here, we like to reuse papers: kraft bags from stores or delivery, cute flyers, used gift wrap, and product packaging can be great for composition <34. Washi Tapes and stickers:
These materials are super useful and great for decorating. They can be used to stick photos, hospital bracelets, and other small items in the album. At the end of our Book, you'll find a sticker page—some of them are in the shape of corners and can be used to attach photos—and washi tapes can be found on our website.
5. Glue:
The pages of the Baby Book are sturdy, but we still recommend using glue sticks, double-sided tape, or tape runner (it's sold in packaging similar to correction tape). The moisture from white glue, if used in excess, can stain or warp the pages, harming the product's preservation and the final result.An item that can be found in stationery and craft stores and helps attach photos to the album are adhesive photo corners (which can be plastic or paper). They provide a very interesting finish and are also easy to use.
6. Test the layout:
If you're making a collage with more than one photo or with cute papers, test how it will look before gluing. Try placing the photos in different positions and orders until you're sure you like it :)7. Take the Book to the maternity hospital:
Two pages of the Book are entirely dedicated to the baby's first visits – there are spaces for small messages left by loved ones.
8. Take your time:
Set aside a day to carefully fill in each space. It might seem like a silly tip, but doing so will allow you to enjoy the process even more and create something with love. Put on some music, sit in a comfortable place, and savor the moment.
9. A little at a time:
Near the end of each month, jot down special moments. This helps you avoid forgetting fun or funny things that happened and deserve to be recorded. We hope you like the suggestions! Do you have another tip? Leave it in the comments below.
Best regards
