July 2004: Ring Binder Options

While ring binders are often thought of as tools that help school kids organize their homework, they're actually a great way to consolidate, protect and present a variety of information. Ring binders can be designed to hold brochures, books, CD and DVD discs, video and audio cassettes, product samples and swatches in addition to paper. They can also be decorated with a variety of materials and techniques that give your information an attractive and professional presentation.

Cover Styles
Polyethylene, vinyl and turned edge are the three primary cover styles for ring binders and are each available at Eckhart & Company. Here's a description of each and its own particular advantage:

Polyethylene is a strong and durable semi-rigid plastic that's perfect for industrial worksites and workshops. Long-lasting and resilient, polyethylene wears well in even the harshest environments.

Vinyl binders are made up of vinyl sheeting that is heat-sealed around a piece of chipboard or plastic. Custom components such as pockets, disc trays and other attachments make vinyl binders as versatile as they are attractive.

Turned Edge binders feature a cover material that's glued to a board and turning the material over the edges of the board. A separate material is then applied to the inside covers. Turned-edge binder wraps include printed and laminated paper, book cloth and other materials, including imitation leather.

Design Idea: Don't Forget the Ring Metal! - While plenty of attention is paid to what goes on the outside of a ring binder, selecting the right ring metal is equally important. The three most popular ring shapes available to hold standard 11" and 8.5" sheets are round ring, straight D-ring and angle D-ring. Round ring and straight D-ring styles are suitable for most binder applications, as they provide both ease of use and plenty of durability. The angle D-ring style is ideal for binders with index tabs, as it shingles the tabs down the face of the binder for easy viewing. Round ring and straight D-ring styles are available in diameters from 1/2" to 3", while angle D-rings are available in diameters ranging from
3/4" to 4".

Please note that ring diameter rather than spine width determines binder capacity.

The Eckhart Advantage
At Eckhart & Company, ring binders are just one of many information packaging solutions we can offer you. Slipcases, slantcases, point-of-purchase displays, certificate and award holders, pocket folders and multimedia packages can all be fabricated and decorated at our facility for simplified production. Involve Eckhart's experts early in the design process to learn about the full compliment of design options available for your next project.

Back Issues

• June 2004 Did You Know?
• May 2004 Menu Cover Options
• April 2004 Turn Your Binder into a Display Piece
• March 2004 Material Options
• February 2004 Ring Binder Solutions
• January 2004 Our Capabilties for 2004
• December 2003 Versatile Pocket Styles
• November 2003 Create Attractive Dust Jackets
• October 2003 Point-of-Purchase Displays
• September 2003 Make Products User Friendly with Index Tabs
• August 2003  The Advantages of Prototypes
• July 2003  Creating the Perfect Package
• June 2003  Mechanical Binding Cover Styles
• May 2003  Custom Ring Binders
• April 2003  Mechanical Binding Options
• March, 2003  Award Holders
• February, 2003  Slipcases, Slantcases & Boxed Sets
• January, 2003 Serving Our Customers
• December, 2002 Media Packaging Options
• November, 2002 Ring Metal Options
• October, 2002 Customized Binder Options
• September, 2002 Turned Edge Possibilities