How to Organize Scrapbooking Paper by Color: A Crafter’s Guide

If you’ve been scrapbooking for a while, you know the struggle  stacks of paper everywhere, and somehow, you can never find the exact shade you need. Organizing your scrapbooking paper by color isn’t just about neatness  it’s about saving time, boosting creativity, and protecting your supplies.

Here’s the step-by-step guide to creating a color-coded paper storage system you’ll love.

1. Sort Your Paper by Color Families

Group your papers into categories like:

Reds/Pinks

Oranges/Yellows

Greens

Blues

Purples

Neutrals (white, cream, black, grey, brown)

This helps you quickly grab the perfect shade for your layout.

2. Choose the Right Storage Method

For scrapbookers, the best options are:

Vertical Paper Racks: Keep sheets upright and easy to flip through

Flat Drawers: Protect delicate specialty papers

Clear Bins: Portable and see-through for easy access

3. Use Dividers and Labels

Add color-coded dividers or labeled tabs so you can find the right shade without flipping through the entire stack.

4. Protect from Sunlight and Dust

Store your paper away from direct sunlight to prevent fading, and use dust covers or enclosed bins.

5. Maintain the System

Every month, take a few minutes to re-sort and return stray papers to their proper section.

Pro Tip: Sanfurney’s stackable craft paper racks are perfect for color-coded storage. Check them out here.