Binders.org: Questions 11-20

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11. What will the capacity be?

The capacity requirement is determined by the quantity and weight of the sheets and other inserts. For example: 1" of 13 lb. bond paper will include 175 sheets. The build-up of indexes, expected expansion, and the possible future addition of miscellaneous literature should be considered. Reinforcement used at the binding edge, scored indexes, or dividers will tend to cause a build-up and increase the overall capacity requirements. Furthermore, if the binder has a long life expectancy the normal build-up caused by folds and wrinkles swells the contents considerably. (It is always best to specify binder capacity in terms of content inches. Refer to chart for sheet capacity.)

12. What will the sheet size be?

The sheet size will be determined by several factors: The size of the type page, the style of mechanism, and the capacity requirements. Consider conformance to your industry or trade association standards. Occasionally it is wise to enlarge or decrease the type page to establish a sheet build-up most suitable to the mechanism required for a particular application.

13. What weight and strength of paper will be used?

The weight and strength of the paper will depend on the capacity requirements, the particular application, and the type of mechanism used. Generally, enameled book paper and offset stock are suitable for catalogs, manuals, etc., bond paper for price lists, and ledger paper and bristol stocks for indexes or dividers. Enameled book papers or coated offset stocks reproduce a clear halftone and are often selected for this reason. If they must be used in a ring or prong binder their tendency to tear would decrease with the addition of more rings or prongs and the use of heavier weight stocks. For narrow catalog sheets a ring or prong binder using bond or ledger paper should be specified.

14. Will there be need for frequent sheet changes?

A fast-action mechanism is required for frequent sheet changes in any part of the binder. A post style binder with removal bar enables removal or insertion at any point in the contents with relative ease. With ring or prong type binders sheet changes are even simpler. When other factors preclude the use of ring, prong, or fast-action post binder, equipped with removal bar, the solution often is slotting the holes, enabling sheet changes without opening the mechanism. When the holes are slotted, the chance of page tearing is increased. To compensate for this the binder should provide sheet compression or a stringer and heavier weight stock should be used. An actual study prior to binder selection should be made to determine how often sheet changes are to occur. If changes are infrequent a slower-action mechanism may be used. Often sheet additions will follow a sequence, being placed in the front or the back of the binder. Then it is not necessary to remove a section of the contents with a removal bar, and a slower-action mechanism not requiring a special design for quick center insertions may be used.

15. Is it necessary that the sheets lie perfectly flat?

It is only ring and prong type binders that permit the sheets to lie perfectly flat with the total binding edge horizontal and in view. Expanding, telescopic type post binders approach this exposure when not filled to capacity. Post binders, spring and clip binders, strap and lace binders draw together and conceal the binding edge. Sheets must fold over from a vertical position to lie flat. Lightweight sheets fold over with a small radius. Heavy-weight sheets tend to form a larger radius, therefore a larger binding margin should be allowed to avoid hiding part of the type page. Indexes or sectional dividers should be scored so as not to further incline the sheets.

16. Should the sheets be interchangeable with other binders?

If other binders in use contain data that may later constitute a worthwhile additions to your binder, try to standardize the hole punching and sheet size. Standard three-hole punching is most popular because it allows the user to punch inserts without the need for uncommon special equipment. However, using standard punching often invites extraneous materials into your binder, especially by independent salesmen or dealers. To discourage this, the loose-leaf planner may select special punching.

17. What type and size of hole punching will be used?

Generally speaking, the more holes along the binding edge the greater the tear strength of the sheet. The multiple ring mechanism requiring hole punching every half-inch gives needed tear strength to lightweight enameled book paper and coated offset stocks. Most binders can be specially designed for any required hole punching. Each ring, prong, or post diameter size requires a hole diameter generally 1/16" to 1/8" larger. Undersized or inaccurate punching restricts free movement of the contents and tends to fray and tear the sheets.

18. Is sheet compression required?

A mechanism providing sheet compression holds the sheets securely in place at the binding edge and eliminates movement which might tear or weaken the hole punching. Post binders using light-weight enameled book paper and offset stocks or slotted hole punching should include compression features. See a compression binder.

19. Is a stiff or flexible cover needed?

A flexible cover has the following advantages: it is easier to handle; it is lighter in weight; it will accommodate inside pockets better; it can be inserted into a carrying case with greater ease. A good grade flexible cover will tend to wear better than a stiff cover of average weight with excessive handling. Very often the physical behavior of certain covering materials prohibits their use for three-ply flexible covering because of their resistance to folding. This is true of most heavier-weight paper-based materials and heavier-weight leathers.

A stiff cover, using binder boards, has the following advantages: it will stand on end better; it will offer more protection for the cover design, especially where silk-screening is applied over a sizable area; it will permit bevelling of the cover edges; it will permit a padded cover construction; it will permit acetate laminate covers. A stiff cover is usually better suited for attaching carrying handles. It helps reduce chaffing of the contents. It is required for heavy duty binder construction.

20. Should the binder provide for expansion?

Most binders should provide for expansion whether or not additional sheets are planned. This is true because of sheet swelling caused by normal wear, the addition of reinforcement at the binding edge, the use of acetate envelopes, or any number of incidental additions made after distribution. A built-in capacity provision should be 10 to 25 percent. If inserts are added regularly, the amount should be calculated in advance and expansion allowance made. Regardless of how organized the contents may be particular individuals may want to make insertions for their own convenience. If this is done and the binder provided has insufficient capacity, these additions will measurably reduce the life expectancy of the binder. They will tend to make it bulge and weaken the hinging, stitching, and gluing. Pockets built into the inside cover of the binder will also measurably reduce its capacity unless the back of the binder is enlarged to compensate for the bulk of pocket contents.

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