What is a Binder

A - Z of Loose Leaf Terms

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I
J	K	L	M	N	O	P	Q	R
S	T	U	V	W	X	Y	Z

Arch Ring

Mechanism with perfectly straight uprights

Binding Margin

The width of sheet area from the 'binding edge' to the visual matter.
Normally this is at least 13mm (½ inch)

Bank

A row of index or divider tabs, ranging from top to bottom

Capacity

The maximum thickness of contents to be held in a loose leaf mechanism. As a guide there are 50 sheets of 135gsm paper per 13mm (½ inch) capacity

Compressor

A 'bar' device to compress sheets in standard gauge ring or post binders.
Used when the capacity of a ring binder is not being fully used

Cover

The outer area of a binder forming the front, back and spine for decorating purposes

'D' Ring

Half round mechanism with straight foredge, forming a 'D' shape

Divider Sheets

Set of punched sheets with protruding tabs for indexing or identification of divided sections of content.

End Sheets

Protecting sheets in the front and back of contents held in a ring mechanism.
Content turnover is also assisted by end sheets.

Foil Blocking

Process of decoration. Heat transfer of a metallic or coloured foil to a binder material.

Folder

Small capacity open pocket for housing loose sheets.

Gauge (Centrex to Centre)

The measurement between the centre of one punch hole to the centre of the next.

Grain

Embossed surface of a binder cover material creating leather or other effects.

HF Welding

High Frequency Welding.
Electronic welding process for bonding PVC sheeting.

HF Blocking

A specialised technique employed to decorate PVC material in gold or silver foil. The result is an embossed effect creating a top quality image.

Landscape

An oblong shaped binder, ie sheets are bound on the short edge.

Leaf

Double sided page. Attached on one edge to the mechanism.

Leathercloth

Clean binder material with a nitro-cellulose 'leatherlook' coating.

Mechanism

General term used to describe any loose leaf retention device.

Multiring

Mechanism with multiple rings, usually spaced at 13mm (½ inch) gauge.

Picture Seal

The process of sealing printed sheets beneath clear PVC outside or inside a binder or folder for decoration. Probably the most versatile way of presenting an image

PVC

Polyvinylchloride; a thermo plastic sheeting suitable for welding.

Pocket

Two pieces of plastic welded along two edges and base, normally open at the top.
Often has a punched binding edge.

Portrait

An upright shaped binder. ie sheets are bound on the long edge.

Punching

Describes the holes along the binding margins of a sheet of paper to enable retention in a loose leaf binder.

Round Ring

Mechanism with circular rings.

Screen Printing

Process of decoration. Ink is passed through a stencil onto the work.

Sheet Size

The dimension of the sheet to be housed in a loose leaf binder. This size predetermines the overall dimensions of a binder. The first dimension should be the binder edge.

Spine

The part of a binder connecting the front and back covers.

Tab

The protecting piece, normally part of a dividing or index sheet, at the foredge of binder contents. Used to categorise sections of content.

Tab Allowance

The area, in addition to sheet size, allowed for index tabs when calculating the overall width of a binder. Normally this is 13mm (½ inch).