Frequently Asked Questions About Products

Q. What are 3 types of materials used for casemade binder covers?
A. Paper, cloth or leather.

Q. What is a European Hinged Binder?
A. A European Hinged binder is defined based on the shape of the spine, formed by compressing board with a mechanical hinger. The 3 types of spines available are: Flat, Semi and Round Back. Euro-hinged binders are popular because 4-color process artwork can run across the spine hinges with no interruption to graphics. They are built with one piece of board that increases durability.

Q. What do you measure to determine the capacity of a round ring metal?
A. You measure the inside diameter of the ring metal horizontally.

Q. What do you measure to determine the capacity of an Angle D metal?
A. You measure along the straight edge of the metal beginning and ending of curve. Be sure to not include any part of the curved part of the metal.

Q. What do you measure to determine the capacity of a D-ring metal?
A. You measure along the straight edge of the metal beginning and ending of curve. Be sure to not include any part of the curved part of the metal.

Q. What type of binder can withstand extreme temperatures and good for outdoor use?
A. Poly binder.

Q. What is the term used when measuring the thickness of vinyl and other materials.
A. Gauge.

Q. What is the term used in measuring board thickness?
A. Point.

Q. What are 2 types of post metals?
A. Trojan and Qa-Can-Vin.

Q. What kind of corners do vinyl binders have?
A. Round corners.

Q. What kind of corners do casemade binders produced on the automated Crathern equipment have?
A. Square corners.

Q. What are some ways to decorate options direct on vinyl?
A. Screen-print spot and process color, foil stamp and/or deboss, appliqué, offset/litho.

Q. What are the two most commonly used grain finishes that Vulcan stocks for vinyl binders?
A. Vulcan stocks French Calf and Suedene (Suede) vinyls; however, many other finishes are available.

Q. What is the difference between a clear overlay binder and a pictorial binder?
A. Both a clear overlay binder and a pictorial binder have a clear piece of vinyl on the outside of the binder. A clear overlay binder, however, opens at the top so cover sheets can easily be inserted and removed. A pictorial binder is sealed at the top, protecting the printed sheet and holding it permanently.

Q. Is the glossy clear material the only choice I have for clear overlay or pictorial binders?
A. For stock binders, the clear overlay used is clear, like glass. Custom binders can be produced in a number of ways, including orange peel or matte clear.

Q. If a binder is going to hold paper that measures 8-1/2” wide by 11” tall, how do you indicate the sheet size on your order?
A. 11x8-1/2” sheet size. In the binder industry, the binding or punched side measurement is listed first. If the punched side was to be on the 8-1/2” side, it would be listed as 8-1/2x11” sheet.

Q. What material is used to reinforce the holes punched on index tabs?
A. Mylar.

Q. What is the weight of our most commonly used index tab paper?
A. 90lb index.

Q. What materials are available for binders and packaging?
A. There are many materials and colors available. It really comes down to the use and look you are trying to achieve. First you will want to think about who this binder/package is going to and how it will be used. Then you want to think about the look and image you want to portray.

Q. Is there a durable material available that is suitable for outdoor use and/or be better suited to withstand temperature variations, say in the trunk of a car?
A. Many different materials are available that can withstand rough environments and temperature extremes, but the most durable is polyethylene. Just called ‘poly’ at Vulcan, this material is made to resist water, grease and anything you can throw at it. Poly can be produced in a variety of colors, thicknesses and finishes.

Q. I have some items I need to hold but can’t figure out how to build the package. Can Vulcan help?
A. Yes, Vulcan is happy to assist with product development, design and creative ideas. We have a staff in these specific areas for just this purpose.

Q. I need a binder that stands up, does Vulcan have any ideas?
A. Vulcan offers easel binders, made to ‘stand up’ independently in various styles. View samples of Portrait – split back easels, Landscape – Platform easels and Landscape – Pyramid footed easels.