For scrapbook enthusiasts, Archivers is a paradise on earth. With 40 locations across the country, Archivers is an expanding chain store specializing in scrapbook supplies and photo preservation materials. Since scrapbooking is the stores specialty, you will find a far wider selection of papers, transfers, stamps, pens, stickers and 3-D embellishments than you would at a regular craft store, such as Hobby Lobby. In addition to great products, the chain offers a wide variety of classes and a helpful and authoritative staff ready to help you bring your ideas to life on paper.
The best part about Archivers is their sheer affordability. Many of their scrapbook items are priced lower than their competitor stores, and their clearance sale prices are truly unbeatable. Here are some of the top steals offered at Archivers, as well as some of their services that are not offered elsewhere.
Printed Scrapbook Papers
Each Archivers location had thousands of paper prints to choose from, and unlike other craft stores, they have all of the papers organized by color and theme. Instead of having to sift through a wall-length shelf filled with papers in random order, you simply follow the signs above each section to find what you are looking for. For example, birthday themed papers are all together in one part of the store, and are separated into boys and girls birthdays. Wedding prints are in their own location, and metallic and glitter papers also have their own designated area. Their paper prices range from 10 cents a piece for clearance papers to $2.00 a sheet for specialty papers. On average, their paper prices are far lower than their competitors.
Specialty Papers and Stickers
Many Archivers locations offer specialty papers and stickers that are relevant to the store location. My local Archivers store in Westminster, Colorado has specialty papers and stickers for each of the area high schools. This is something I have never seen offered at stores like Hobby Lobby or Joanne’s. For Christmas last year, I bought a series of papers that had my sister’s high school name and mascot on them and used them to create her gift.
Stickers
Archivers has an entire section of each store devoted to stickers, and again, they are all organized together based on theme. This is a huge plus for shoppers in a hurry, as you do not have to walk up and down a disorganized sticker aisle searching for what you are looking for. Archivers has stickers for all occasions at very competitive prices. Their clearance section of the store often has sticker sheets for 25 cents, and most other stickers range between $1.99 and $4.99 a sheet.
3-D Embellishments
Archivers offers hundreds of 3-D embellishment products, and most products come in a variety of colors. From stick-on craft gems to ornately decorated brads, you will find a far wider selection of embellishments at an Archivers store than you will anywhere else. Paper flowers, brass keys, metal photo frame stickers and ribbons are all available at Archivers. Most Archivers locations offer hundreds of ribbon styles and colors, and all of their embellishing products are extremely affordable.
Sony Picture Station
Archivers stores all offer a state-of-the-art photo kiosk for you to print out your treasured photographs. Photos can be transferred onto the machine via memory card, flash drive, CD/DVD or scanner. Once your photos are on the machine, you can resize theme, change the color, photo touch them, and even add text or borders. The machine also lets you create calendars, holiday cards, and collages. Your photos are printed out on high quality photo paper that will not fade. The printing prices at Archivers are similar to those at printing stores.
Classes
If you can learn to archive it, Archivers has a class for it. Archivers stores host several classes a month in addition to their open work room option daily. There are classes for wedding scrapbooking, baby scrapbooking, back to school scrapbooking, and nearly anything else you can thing of. Many of these classes run all day and cost less than $50.00 each. The class cost also includes all of the supplies you will need to create the layouts being taught that day. Archivers also offers a variety of free classes.
$1.99 Deals
Not to be confused with the clearance section of the store, Archivers has a section called their $1.99 Deals. The $1.99 deals include stickers, stencils, miniature frames, 3-D embellishments, ribbons and other supplies. These products are only $1.99 everyday, and are conveniently organized together in the store, making them easy to find.
Convenience
Archivers offers extremely convenient hours. Many of their stores are open until 9 pm daily. Archivers has locations in:
Colorado
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
North Carolina
Ohio
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Wisconsin
Other Projects
Archivers is not just for scrapbooking. They offer an entire section of their store devoted to card making and invitations. They sell all of the materials to hand make your cards and invitations from scratch, or they offer boxed kits of all of the materials you will need. For the creative minded crafter, their papers, embellishments and bibbons can be incorporated into almost any project. I use their beautiful papers to line the inside of my homemade jewelry boxes, and their ribbons and embellishments to decorate my candles and candle holders.
