PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Ring Metal Capacity

Capacity is the maximum thickness of all the material loaded into a binder. In the diagrams, capacity is measured between the arrows.

Sheet Size is the dimension of the material to be inserted into a binder. NOTE: The height of the paper along the binding edge is always the first dimension given (example: If you insert 8-1/2” x 11” paper into your binder, you will use an 11” x 9” binder. The 11” measurement of your paper has the 3-hole drill so that dimension is first).

Types of Binding Mechanisms
NOTE: Boosters are the triggers on the end of a ring metal that help you open the rings. Many mechanisms are available with locking triggers as well.

ROUND RING (3-ring metal)

Standard Capacities: 1/2”, 3/4”, 1”, 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”Standard Sheet Size: 11×8-1/2” + 1/2” tab allowance.

General Info: Round 3-ring metals can be mounted in the binders with the rivets showing through, showing the spine or back cover, or mounted with concealed rivets. Also, round 3-ring metals can be ordered with or without an opening and closing booster.

Measurements: When measuring ring metal capacity, measure area shown by arrow.

ANGLE D RING (3-ring metal)

Standard Capacities: 1”, 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 4”Standard Sheet Size: 11×8-1/2” + 1/2” tab allowance.

General Info: Angle D ring metals are the same as the straight D ring, with the exception of an angled post. This style helps to keep the contents flat and smooth and, if tabs are used, they tend to show up better with angle D metals.

Measurements: When measuring ring metal capacity, measure area shown by arrow but do not include any curved part of metal.

STRAIGHT D RING (3-ring metal)

Standard Capacities: 1/2”, 3/4”, 1”, 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”Standard Sheet Size: 11×8-1/2” + 1/2” tab allowance.

General Info: Straight D ring metals are the same as the angle D ring, with the exception of a straight post.

Measurements: When measuring ring metal capacity, measure area shown by arrow.

How Big Should My Binder Be?

In the binder industry, we use the term capacity to describe the size of metal rings. To gauge how much material you will be inserting into your binder, count how many pages of paper you’ll use. Then refer to the chart(s) below to determine the capacity, or how big the metal rings needs to be.

The figures below are approximate capacity ranges. Consider the addition of tabs and special inserts to your printed material as well as the ring metal style. It often helps to make up a “dummy” binder by inserting sheets of paper and other materials into a binder you have on hand, to see if it can handle the contents. Comfortably fit your material into the binder; allow room to turn the pages easily.

Depending on how much capacity a binder has, the circular holes drilled or punched into the binding side of the paper will be different sizes. The punched out holes must be bigger as the capacity of your binder increases.

 

BOND PAPER


Capacity 13 lb
(# sheets)
16 lb
(# sheets)
20 lb
(# sheets)
24 lb
(# sheets)
1/2″ 100-130 80-110 70-110 60-90
3/4″ 130-160 110-140 100-130 90-120
1″ 200-230 180-210 170-200 160-190
1-1/2″ 300-360 260-340 240-300 220-280
2″ 450-500 420-450 370-400 320-350
3″ 650-700 500-650 560-600 460-500



LEDGER PAPER


Capacity 24 lb
(# sheets)
28 lb
(# sheets)
32 lb
(# sheets)
36 lb
(# sheets)
1/2″ 60-90 50-80 40-70 30-60
3/4″ 90-120 80-110 70-100 60-90
1″ 160-190 150-180 140-170 130-160
1-1/2″ 220-280 200-260 180-240 160-220
2″ 320-350 270-300 230-260 190-230
3″ 460-500 390-430 340-390 290-330



ENAMEL BOOK AND OFFSET PAPER


Capacity 40 lb
(# sheets)
50 lb
(# sheets)
60 lb
(# sheets)
70 lb
(# sheets)
80 lb
(# sheets)
100 lb
(# sheets)
1/2″ 120-130 110-120 100-110 90-100 80-90 70-80
3/4″ 170-200 150-170 130-150 120-130 110-120 100-110
1″ 220-250 180-220 160-180 150-160 140-150 130-140
1-1/2″ 340-380 290-340 260-290 240-260 220-240 200-220
2″ 400-450 350-400 300-350 280-300 260-280 240-260
3″ 640-700 520-570 480-530 400-450 360-400 300-320

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