Understanding the Different Weights of Binding Cover Stocks
Choosing the right binding cover for your needs can be both confusing and difficult. Different terminology concerning the thicknesses of the covers make comparing different cover stocks incredibly difficult. This article is designed to give you a quick overview of the different measuring standards used for cover stocks and paper stocks that are commonly used in binding. - Most of the clear binding covers and poly binding covers available on the market are measured in Mil's (also sometimes referred to as gauge). At first glance, it might appear that this is a measurement in millimeters. However, one mil actually equals 0.001 inch. Thus a 10mil clear cover has a caliper measurement of 0.010 inches and a 19mil poly cover has a caliper measurement of 0.019 inches.
- Regency composition / leatherette covers are measured in points rather than mils. For instance, most of the regency composition / leatherette covers are rated as 17pt covers. Each point is equal to 0.001 inches (the same as mil's or gauge). Thus 17pt covers have a caliper measurement of approximately 0.017 inches.
- Most paper binding covers are measured in weights. For instance, GBC's linen weave paper covers are made from 80lb cover stock. This measurement is the actual weight of 500 master sheets (25" x 38" in size for cover stocks). Depending on the type of paper you are using the weight is based on different master sheet sizes making it very difficult to compare weights of bond paper with offset paper or index stock with cover stock. However, to give you an idea, 80lb cover stock is approximately equivalent to 9.5 Mils, 90lb cover stock is approximately equivalent to 10 Mils and 100lb cover stock is approximately equivalent to 11 Mils.
We know that this can all be a little bit confusing but to help you compare apples to apples, there are quick reference conversion charts available on the internet that show several of the different types of paper and their approximate equivalents.
About the Author: Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for MyBinding.com. He has written over 100 articles on binding machines,binding supplies,binders,laminators,binding covers,laminating supplies,paper handling equipments,index tabs, and shredders.
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Print Article | Download PDF | 6 views | Apr 14 2008
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