Loose Leaf

Determining the Right Ring Mechanism for the Job

August 21, 2006

by: Alex Lintzenich, US Ring

There are many factors that come into play when determining the right ring mechanism to use for each job. It is important to know what the mechanism will be used for, as well as the look and style of the binder. In order to come up with the best selection, customers should first ask themselves the following questions:

What is the overall metal length?

The most commonly used length is an 11′ long metal. These metals are used for the standard sheet size for U.S. pages. However, there also are metals that come in both 8 ½’ and 9 ½’ sheet size for other applications. Internationally, the A-4 sheet size (11 ¾’) is the standard, but there is little call for that in the United States.

How many rings?

The three ring mechanism is the standard in most binders. There also are six ring memo metals, as well as two and four ring mechanisms. Once again, internationally, there are some differences, but both the three and four ring metals can be found.

What is the capacity?

It is important to know how much the customer will be loading onto the rings. Most suppliers should be able to assist in determining the correct ring size, based on number of pages and page weight. If the customer does not know the quantity to be placed on the rings, it is best to err on the side of extra capacity as in most cases, reducing the number of printed pages to be placed in the binder is usually not an option.

What type of ring style to use?

There are three main ring styles: Round, Straight D, and Angle D. Each has its own set of advantages and uses described below:

Round: This is the most commonly used ring style, as well as the most economical. This style is used in practically every application and also comes in a variety of options and usually is mounted on the spine of the book. Round rings are the most heavily stocked and easy to locate.
Straight D: This style has a larger holding capacity than that of a regular round ring. The Straight D also will reduce paper tear as the pages move across the rings. This metal is mounted on the back cover, which allows the user to print along the spine.
Angle D: This ring type has the most holding capacity of any of the three styles of rings. While the pages are in the metal, there also is a stair-step effect, allowing the user to see all the tabs at once. As with the Straight D, this metal is mounted on the back cover, allowing the user to print on the outside spine. The design of this ring metal ensures easy paper loading, as the metal is perpendicular with the spine when it is in the open position.

Each of these rings has its own set of benefits. Choosing a ring style is up to customer preference and the particular job for which the rings will be used. It also is important to remember that all three of these ring styles are available in the options highlighted below.

Light Duty vs. Heavy Duty

In most situations, this is a preference decision more than a functionality decision. However, there are situations where it is important to look at these two differences. Customer use is the best indicator of which of these ring metals to use. If the ring metal will be used by a student with the idea that they will purchase a new binder each semester, then light duty is the way to go. However, if the ring metal will be used by a contractor out in the field, then heavy duty is the best selection.

Do you need a locking function?

Many times customers look for a ring mechanism that has a locking function because they want to be sure that the information stored in the binder stays in the binder. As the size of the ring is increased, a locking function becomes more helpful because the weight on the rings sometimes causes the ring metal to open on its own. A locking function helps prevent this from occurring.

What type of finish on the ring?

Most mechanisms come in a nickel or chrome finish, but black and brass metals have their own applications. Again, this is usually a preference decision but something that definitely adds style and elegance to the finished binder. What type of book are you producing?
It is important to identify what type of binder will be attached to the mechanism and how it will be attached. There are now different options, from a standard eyeleted metal to a Securemore (prong) metal that allows the mechanism to attach to the binder without the need for a rivet. Many people prefer this feature as it allows the customer to print on the spine, producing an eye-appealing, attractive binder as well as creating cost-saving efficiencies for the binder manufacturer.

Are new ring metals being developed?

US Ring has developed a new ring metal, “Insta-Clik”, which can instantly be opened with a touch of a finger. Insta-Clik is a single triggered, easier opening product that is an excellent option for young children, as it has an anti-pinch feature to it. Insta-Clik also is beneficial for customers with a physical disability who find that opening the traditional ring metal is difficult. This mechanism also can be used in an area where it is important for the customer to maintain a quiet atmosphere, such as a library or classroom. With these questions as your guide, you should be able to make a successful decision as to which ring mechanism to use for the particular job at hand.

US Ring is a U.S.-based manufacturer with headquarters in St. Louis, Mo. The company designs and engineers custom ring metals, dies, and metal stamping. US Ring also owns additional high-volume factories in China with US Ring direct oversight. The company has over 80 years of quality control engineering and long-term engineering managers with over 75 years of combined experience in the ring metal field. For more information, call (800) 888-8772 or visit www.usring.com.

Q&A: Radio Frequency Heat Sealing

February 1, 2006

by: Andy Oliner

Radio frequency (RF) heat sealing is the most common approach for sealing vinyl products – especially for loose leaf binders. This article will discuss some of the basic principles of RF heat sealing; why buffers are important in the process; and the most common applications.

Exactly what is heat sealing?

When you are fabricating an item from two or more pieces of plastic, you need a way of welding these pieces together. When you need to weld sheet materials together in an overlapping fashion, the preferred method is heat sealing. There are three types of heat sealing. In order of increasing cost, they are impulse sealing, RF sealing, and ultrasonic sealing. As the cost increases, the sealing process cycle time reduces. Most small and mid-size manufacturers have found RF sealing to be a good compromise between the cost in machinery and the benefit of increased efficiency and throughput.

What is RF heat sealing?

RF sealing works in much the same way as a microwave oven, where radio frequency energy is beamed throughout the interior of the oven. The frequency of the RF energy in a microwave oven is such that it excites the water molecules in the food that is in the oven. The water molecules start moving around a lot faster, which in turn, heats the food from the inside. Likewise, certain kinds of plastics have polar molecules. That means that they can be excited by RF energy, just as water molecules are excited by a microwave oven’s RF energy. An RF heat sealer is just like a microwave oven, except it is not enclosed and the RF energy is tuned to a different frequency – one that excites the plastic molecules instead of water molecules.

Heat sealing generally requires a solid, flat lower platen (on which the materials to be sealed are placed) and a heat sealing die above the lower platen. During the heat sealing process, the die comes down to the platen holding the material to be sealed and the die is energized with RF energy. This energy, along with the downward pressure that the head of the press is exerting, seals the material together in the desired shape.

Why use RF heat sealing to generate heat vs. applying heat energy direct?

Both methods accomplish the same end result, which is to get the plastic hot enough to weld together. The direct application of heat is referred to as “impulse sealing”. However, just as your microwave heats a lot faster than your regular oven, a RF heat sealer heats the material more quickly than an impulse sealer. Consequently, the rate of production increases significantly. In addition, plastic heated with RF energy cools down more quickly than plastic heated by conventional methods, which means it is safer to handle, comes off the machine more quickly, and keeps its shape better immediately after the sealing process.

Why is it important to use a buffer with RF heat sealing?

Another difference between sealing with conventional heat versus RF energy is that when using the RF method, a buffer is needed beneath the material to be sealed. Why? Believe it or not, the purpose of the buffer is to require you to use more RF energy to seal. As you seal, the plastic is melting and reducing in thickness, because the die is pressing down on nearly molten plastic. The RF energy is busy exciting the plastic, but like any electrical field, it is looking to complete the circuit in the easiest way possible. The nearest ground is the bottom platen of the sealing die. Without a buffer, as soon as the plastic is thin enough in one place, all the generated RF energy would flood through that one weak spot to the bottom platen and burn a hole in the product that is being sealed.

When you use a buffer, the additional dielectric resistance that the buffer provides means that even as the sealing area of your product thins, you continue to have a substantial electrical resistance to the RF energy. This keeps the RF energy diffused throughout the surface of the sealing die and stops it from breaking through one part of your product and concentrating in that spot. It increases the window between incomplete sealing (too little power) and burn-through (too much power). In addition, the buffer accomplishes the following:

Provides the right balance between sticking and releasing the material that is sealed.
Serves as a landing place for the sealing die that’s softer than the steel of the bottom platen.
Cushions the plastic being sealed to absorb inconsistencies in the material.

A balance between sticking and releasing is an important ingredient for successful RF heat sealing. The single most common buffer problem is sticking, with the plastic material adhering to the buffer and not coming away easily (special buffers are made to eliminate this problem). However, too much release also can be bad, especially if there is a multi-step sealing process. You do not want the product sliding all over the place as it moves from station to station. To achieve a good registration, the product needs to stay in place on the buffer belt. A certain amount of sticking also is helpful in that too much release can cause the product to stick to the sealing die instead of staying down on the buffer where it belongs.

What plastics and types of products are most commonly RF heat sealed?

The most common plastic utilized in RF heat sealing is PVC (vinyl), but other plastics also are being utilized, such as urethane, PETG, certain kinds of nylon and styrene, and polyolefins with EVA. The products that utilize RF heat sealing are more numerous than one might think. Some common products include the following:

Loose leaf binders
Packaging
Pocket protectors
Sheet protectors
Blow-up toys
Shower curtains
Intravenous bags
Seat cushions
Automobile tops, doors, and sun visors
Tarps, tents, and awnings

Andy Oliner is the President of Oliner Fibre. Oliner offers a large variety of materials specifically engineered as Heat Seal Buffers. For more information, contact Oliner at (800) 654-6373 or visit www.heatseal.com.

Vinyl Compatibility: What You Should Know and What You Can Do

November 21, 2005

by: Sheldon Cohen

Products that require two different vinyls to be welded to each other are at risk of distorting, usually in the form of wrinkles or bubbles. Understanding the causes of the distortion can be helpful in avoiding this problem. The three main factors that contribute to wrinkling are differences in plasticizers, differences in plasticizer levels and differences in rates of shrinkage.

I. Differences in plasticizers

What you should know
Although you might expect that “chemical” incompatibility be at the root of most wrinkling, it is, with today’s technology and vinyl manufacturing techniques, not the common cause for wrinkling. Chemical reactions usually manifest as random circular bubbles in the material.

The plasticizers commonly used in the calendaring of vinyl for heat sealing are liquids, usually with the viscosity of vegetable oils. They are added to powdered vinyl resins and are absorbed into the resin in a heating and mixing operation called compounding. The plasticizer molecules allow the resin molecules to “slide” against each other, which allows the vinyl film to be flexible.

There are many different types of plasticizers available that have been developed to provide specific end use properties. Most of the plasticizers that are used in vinyl calendering are from the phthalate group. The common ones are DOP (Di-n-octyl phthalate)*, DEHP, (Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate)*, andDINP, (Diisononyl phthalate). Note that DOP and DEHP are considered identical plasticizers.

Other plasticizers are from the adipate group. Adipates are usually used to impart better resistance to cold crack. A common one is DOA (Dioctyladipate).

Although the adipates are efficient plasticizers and perform very well in many applications, they have a different molecular structure than the phthalates, are more volatile, and have a greater tendency towards movement (migration).

What you can do
When welding two different vinyls together, check with your suppliers to be sure that the plasticizer systems that are used in each of their vinyls are compatible (i.e., from the same group). This is a routine caution and most suppliers will freely give such information.

Avoid using vinyl made from recycled scrap when welding two different materials. The formulations in the scrap can contain adipates and other incompatible ingredients.

II. Differences in plasticizer levels

What you should know
Differences in formulations are probably the most common cause for wrinkling. Wrinkling caused by differences in formulation can appear as a combination of irregular ripples and bubbles which are most seen near the corners of the welded product where the heat of the die has accelerated and exacerbated migration.

Every vinyl is formulated to perform in a specific end use application. The classic example is the end use differences in flexible opaque and clear vinyl. A producer of opaque vinyl for bookbinding would be primarily concerned with workability in the heat-sealing process, as well as some cold crack resistance, and would build his product accordingly. Since plasticizer acts to facilitate welding and helps to improve cold crack resistance, a typical opaque bookbinding formulation might contain 33-35 parts of plasticizer for every 100 parts of resin. Since the surface of the opaque product is usually embossed with a texture, the opaque producer is not concerned with the vinyl sticking together after sheeting.

The producer of double polished clear vinyl has different considerations. Since he will focus on transparency, his surfaces are as highly polished as glass. If he makes the vinyl too soft and flexible, it will stick together (block) when his customer sheets and stacks the vinyl. Therefore the clear producer will use very little plasticizer in his product (at the sacrifice of some welding and cold crack properties). Typical plasticizer volume in a “non-tack” clear vinyl formulation would be in the 24-25 parts of plasticizer per hundred of resin.

Here is a typical range of vinyl products from one manufacturer that shows their plasticizer content, going from soft to firm:

45 parts per hundred, 3-S
41 parts per hundred, 2-S
37 parts per hundred, 1-S (some medium bookbinding films)
33 parts per hundred, 1-H (most medium firm bookbinding films)
29 parts per hundred, 2-H (some clear non-tack overlay films)
25 parts per hundred, 3-H (most clear non-tack overlayfilms)

Even if the plasticizers in both materials are from the same chemical group, the plasticizer content of each material could be different. In a typical clear overlay binder, a material with 33 PHR plasticizer is placed in direct contact with a material with 25 PHR.

Because plasticizers are organic compounds, the materials, over time, will attempt to go into PHR balance. This means that plasticizer will attempt to leave the softer material and migrate into the firmer. When this happens, the firmer material (usually the clear) swells. Since the material is welded to the opaque and has nowhere to go, the displacement shows up as wrinkles in the clear. Another result is that as more plasticizer moves into the clear, the clear becomes softer than when initially produced.

Time is also a variable. Molecules of plasticized vinyl become more active as temperatures are elevated and will migrate faster. Another factor is how tightly the materials are pressed together. Heat, pressure, or any combination of both will accelerate migration.

What you can do
Specifying formulations that are closer together in PHR levels is one solution for very large custom runs but is impractical for everyday products. Be aware that decreasing the PHR in opaque will make the material more brittle and susceptible to cold cracking. Increasing the PHR in the clear vinyl will result in tackiness, which will make the clear vinyl difficult to handle for sheet fed work.

The best that the heat sealer can do when working with typical materials is to work to retard the transference of plasticizer:

Try to keep the thickness of the two materials as close as possible. A .006″ clear welded to a .014″ opaque will not absorb migrating plasticizers as well as a .008″ material and will show wrinkles more readily.
Wherever possible, slip sheet between the clear and opaque. This not only creates a barrier between the materials, the slip-sheet itself will absorb some of the plasticizer. Also, slip-sheets allow some air to circulate between the materials.
If the welded materials are stacked during or after manufacturing, keep the lifts as low as possible and never stack in lifts for long periods of time.
Ship products standing on end and mark the cartons: “This side up” and “Store away from heat.” Educate your customers accordingly.

III. Differences in shrinkage

What you should know
Both chemical and mechanical factors interplay to create shrinkage in vinyl. From a mechanical point of view, there must be some tension when winding up vinyl on rolls at the end of the calendar. A loosely wound roll would tend to telescope when moved. A tight wind helps to prevent the roll from flattening and reduces pressure marks during shipment and storage. Shrinkage caused by tension in wind up is called “snap back”. It usually occurs and is completed within a few hours after the vinyl is sheeted from the roll. A side effect of snap back is that as the vinyl shrinks in the calendaring direction, there is some slight increase in the width dimension. Attempts at introducing artificial shrinkage in low PHR vinyl by stretching at windup have not been successful.

A typical specification for mechanical shrinkage calls for not more than 1% change in dimension after 24 hours at room temperature.

After snap back is complete and as the vinyl ages, there will still be some residual shrinkage. Since flexible vinyl is a thermoplastic material, other stresses introduced in the manufacturing process will relax, causing the material to further condense over time. Another important consideration is the amount of plasticizer in the formulation. Softer vinyl tends to shrink more than firmer vinyl since their elasticity and elongation rates are higher. This brings us back to PHR of plasticizer differences in the formulations of two different vinyls that are being welded together. Normal bookbinding opaque vinyl with 33-35 PHR will tend to shrink more than a double polished clear vinyl with 25 PHR of plasticizer. Wrinkling occurs when two vinyls are welded together that have different rates of shrinkage. When one vinyl shrinks more than the other, the vinyl that shrinks less is displaced and this shows up as long undulating ridges of material. This wrinkling is exacerbated as the differences in the rates of shrinkage increase.

What you can do
Snap back can usually be handled in sheet fed work simply by giving the vinyl time to relax in low lifts after sheeting. Only a few hours is required to eliminate snap back problems. If roll feeding, dancer bars (accumulators) should be used to give the vinyl time to relax before reaching the welding die. Avoid introducing any tension in web feeding that could stretch the vinyl, especially when using softer materials.

With chemical shrinkage, since it is the nature of vinyl to shrink, heat sealers of two different materials should work with their suppliers to be sure that the vinyls that they are using have rates of shrinkage that are as close together as possible.

One highly respected bookbinder claims that he has minimized wrinkling by developing dies and heat-sealing techniques that weld the vinyl very tightly to the board and uses the board itself to staunch the vinyl from excessive shrinking.

As we have said before, when vinyl shrinks in the calendering direction, it can grow in the width. This sometimes causes a binder to look great coming off the heat sealer but “bag” a few days later. Vinyl sealed tight to the board will also minimize bagging.

Never cross grain materials when welding them together. Be sure that both pieces are taken from the roll in the same direction.

When packing heat-sealed products allow some space between the product and the top of the carton to absorb the weight of stacked cartons and not put pressure on the edges of the products.

Conclusion

Distortion (wrinkling), is an inherent problem when welding two dissimilar materials together. If the job is big enough to order specific vinyl formulations, the problem can probably be avoided at the outset if the heat sealer is willing to compromise some of the properties in each vinyl that makes them dissimilar. One can specify that the vinyl manufacturers use the same plasticizers and close the gap in the PHR proportions.

When this is not possible, the objective becomes to extend the amount of time that it takes for wrinkles to appear and to reduce the severity of the wrinkles by following some of the suggestions in this article.

The good news is that over the years, vinyl suppliers and their customers have made great strides in working together to create compatible products. The problems of incompatibility are much less frequent and much less severe today than they have been in the past.

Sheldon Cohen acts as Director of Marketing at Robeco, Inc. He can be contacted by calling (212) 986-6410.

Plastic Spiral Binding

August 21, 2005

by: Anna C. Massey

Plastic spiral binding is the fastest growing segment of the mechanical binding industry. The durability of plastic spiral, the vast array of available colors to choose from, and advancements in the automation of the plastic spiral binding process have caught the attention of most binding consumers. Couple that with shortages in the steel industry and rising steel prices and one is forced to sit up and take notice. Plastic spiral has become a viable mechanical binding alternative to the traditional comb or single and double loop wire types of binding.

The plastic spiral binding of today is light years ahead of that being produced 15 to 20 years ago. However, there still can be some important differences between plastic spiral binding manufacturers that can dramatically affect your bindery’s productivity and cost effectiveness.

Base Compound Makes a Difference

Most plastic spiral manufacturers produce the product with a PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) compound. The applicable colorant is added during the extrusion process at which time the PVC and colorant pellets are melted and mixed. The extruded filament is wound as a single strand profile onto spools. Different profiles are produced for specific coordinating coil diameters. The spooled filament is then put through the forming process for manufacture into the specified diameter, pitch, and length of coil that is required.

Although most plastic spiral binding utilizes a PVC base compound, what goes into that compound can differ between manufacturers. Every compound will have different levels of additives that can and do affect the finished product. Additives like impact modifiers help insure the coil is durable and will maintain its shape.

Interesting comparisons have been done between plastic spiral made from high quality compound and that produced with a lower grade of material. A formed coil made with low-grade material literally shattered when slapped against a table. The plastic spiral made from the higher quality compound did nothing more than bounce back. This type of information can be important depending on the project (for example, if the plastic spiral binding will be used in a children’s project).

A 10 mm Coil is a 10 mm Coil – Right?

The profile or gauge of filament used to manufacture a particular diameter of coil is another point of comparison. Some plastic spiral manufacturers use fairly thick, rigid profiles of filament to produce particular ranges of coil diameters. A 10 mm coil may be produced with a filament of 2.0 mm / .080″. Others use thinner filament (1.8 mm / .072″ or 1.5 mm / .060″).

If you are price shopping for potential coil suppliers and are strictly looking at the cost of 10 mm coil, you may not be comparing “apples to apples”. If a manufacturer is using a very thin filament to produce its product, its numbers will look more appealing because the manufacturer is using less material to produce it. It is important to know what profiles of plastic your coil supplier uses to make its various coil diameters.

Plastic spiral binding that is very thin can cause problems during the insertion process. Plastic spiral that is too thick can also cause difficulty when inserting, which can bring down production numbers. Recommendations can and should be made based on the size and shape of the punch hole that a customer needs, as well as the type of coil inserting equipment being used.

A sharp lead edge on the coil is another important factor when the coil is running through the punch holes. How the coil is packed and its condition upon arrival at your location also may affect your bindery’s productivity.

Pitch – The Most Misunderstood Term

Pitch is basically another word for distance or spacing. It describes the distance or spacing between the loops of coil. However, over generalization and the misuse of the correct terminology can complicate an otherwise simple concept.

When it comes to plastic spiral binding, there are a surprising number of options available for pitch. The key is to match the pitch of the coil to your punch pattern. If you punch with a 4:1 pattern, then you should be using 4:1 coil. If you have a 6 mm punch pattern, it is recommended that you use a 6 mm pitch coil. There is enough incompatibility between pitches to slow you down and affect your productivity if the incorrect pitch is used.

Round vs. Elliptical Filament

If you are a bindery or in-plant that has in-house coil manufacturing, this is terminology that applies to you. Purchasing plastic filament on spools for manufacture into plastic spiral binding presents you with the opportunity to compare the different filaments being produced. As not all coil is created equal, not all filaments are created equal either.

Some manufacturers produce a round profile of filament and others produce an elliptical (or oval) shape. An elliptical profile of filament can yield as much as thirty percent more coil per pound than a round profile. Less material also will equate to a reduction in shipping costs. Again, if you are shopping suppliers, a cost per pound comparison is not enough. It is the yield per pound that you need to be comparing.

Talk to your supplier – understand what you’re buying – know what your options are. Plastic spiral binding – there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye.

Smart Packaging: Turned-Edge Loose Leaf Binders

May 1, 2005

by: Joe Anderson

The information packaging solutions available today are more creative and attractive than ever. New trends in packaging and decoration accommodate loose leaf and information materials like never before, yet incorporate the sturdy construction that has been used for centuries to manufacture books that last. Ring binders in particular often can combine colorful decoration and durable materials to create versatile products that meet your specific project demands.

There are many applications for durable turned-edge ring binders, which perhaps explains why they are so widely used for sales kits, conferences, academic materials, and many other products. Ring binders are an easy solution for combining literature with multi-media, or pocket folders, or product samples, or well, you get the idea. Not only are binders versatile, the decorative options are virtually unlimited. Let’s take a look at the construction and usage options.

The Process

For most turned-edge products, glue is applied to the back of the cover material, which is then wrapped to a board, thus giving this process its name. Like most products, a good foundation is essential for building your binder, making the board one of the binder’s most important components.

Board is available in a range of strengths and thicknesses. Commonly used grades include pasted-chip (chipboard), Graphic board (fordiner board-100% news-short fiber), SBS (paperboard), wet-lap board (spec board), Maxite (micro-flute) and foam padded board.

Different uses require different calipers and construction techniques to ensure the best results. The board type is generally determined by the binder contents, intended usage and environment of the end user. Binders destined for a single-use seminar, for example, will require materials far different than instruction manuals for industrial settings.

Cover Material and Decoration

Not all cover materials are created equally. They vary widely in look, feel, durability and production parameters. Selection often hinges on decorative options, final use, turnaround, and of course, cost. Your finisher can often provide guidance for balancing these requirements and suggest products and options that best suit your needs.

One of the big advantages of turned-edge manufacturing is that almost any material can be used for the wrap. Offset-printed and film-laminated paper is a common choice because it allows for vivid, four-color graphics. For total personalization, paper covers can be digitally printed prior to lamination.

In recent years, stock options have expanded beyond traditional papers. Saturated, unsaturated, craft-based and some fiber reinforced papers are commonly available. Companies such as Fibermark and Ecological Fibers provide earth-friendly paper alternatives, which can be crafted to mimic common stocks while adding a unique dimension to your products.

Additional materials include imitation leather, book cloth and many others. Custom decorations such as diecuts, digital or screen printing, foil stamping, embossing or debossing can give binder products a truly unique look. Combining techniques and materials can often produce handsome products of lasting value, so discuss the possibilities and designs with your finisher.

Lining Material and Binder Interiors

Perhaps the most forgettable part of the binder, the binder interior can be a highly functional design element as well. Lining material is glued to the board on the inside of the binder. Typically, the lining is about 1/8″ short of the edge on all four sides, allowing the cover material to be seen around the edges, “framing” the interior lining.

Combining loose-leaf, wire bound or information brochures with multi-media pieces or collections can be frustrating, but liners can be designed to incorporate PVC trays for CDs or DVDs, customized pockets, cavities cut to suit and even boxes to house specialty items. Again, each finisher has different manufacturing techniques and processes to produce customized products, so consult with a design team early in the planning stages to determine what options are appropriate.

Ring Metals

Without ring metals, the binder does not exist. Nickel plated rings are used most often, but stock and custom painted metals are also available to match designs and color schemes. Several ring styles are available, and though each is meant to hold materials inside the binder, each option provides a different look and functionality. Each of the following are available with locking boosters that hold material securely:

Round rings – The most common ring binder metal, round rings can be mounted to the spine or the back cover with rivets, which can be exposed or concealed.

Straight D rings – This style is similar in operation to round ring metals, but the metal piece itself is shaped like a backwards D, opening where the straight back meets the top of the curve. Straight-D rings are mounted to the back cover of the binder and display loose leaf contents evenly along the index edge.

Angle D rings – This style is also mounted to the back cover, but the angled design allows the rings to hold up to 30 percent more loose leaf material than standard round ring metals of the same capacity. This additional capacity makes angle D-ring metals ideal for high-capacity applications. Another advantage: angle-D rings taper top-to-bottom along the index edge, allowing for easier viewing of contents.

Important note: never ship your literature on the ring itself. The stresses in transit can damage the tension bars and destroy ring functionality. Always package your materials inside the binder but off of the ring. This is the best way to ensure your product arrives undamaged.

Regardless of format, information packaging and display materials are designed to attract attention and withstand substantial use. Most finishers can help you design a completely customized turned-edge loose leaf binder that meets both aesthetic and budgetary needs. And remember, effectively planned production leads to high quality products, which is always eye-catching.

Joe Anderson heads the information packaging division of Eckhart & Company, an Indianapolis, Ind.-based bindery specializing in mechanical binding, loose leaf manufacturing, and information packaging. Anderson can be reached at (800) 443-3791 or joeanderson@eckhartandco.com.

« Previous Page