Commonly Used Terms and Definitions

We have compiled a list of words and their definitions that you might encounter when choosing and ordering perforated paper.

Bond (Paper Grade): Strong, durable paper especially suitable to electronic printing and use in office machines including copiers and desktop printers. Bond papers are commonly used in copiers and for letterheads, business forms, and a variety of documents produced with inkjet and laser printers.
Cover (Paper Grade): Heavier weight paper with special characteristics include dimensional stability, durability, uniform printing surface, good scoring, folding, embossing and die-cutting qualities. Cover papers are used for tickets, mailings, brochures, business cards, certificates, coupons, posters, invitations, etc. Index and Tag papers are used for brochures, covers, tabs, table tents, file folders, business forms.
Landscape (Orientation): Horizontal orientation of the layout of material on the paper. In other words, the paper is oriented so that it is longer than taller.
Micro-Perforation: Elk River Systems’ ability to produce 30 tiny holes per inch across the entire length (or width) of the paper to create a perforation line. When you fold on this perforation line, you'll be able to tear "along the dotted line" with ease. Since the holes created are so minute, the perforated edge will be smooth and clean.
Brightness: Paper brightness measures the amount of light reflected from a paper on a scale of 1 to 100. A brighter sheet (higher number) tends to reflect more light from the paper surface thus intensifying the vividness of color.
Grade: Refers to a set of characteristics used to distinguish one type or class of paper from another. Example characteristics include paper thickness and texture. Example paper grades are Bond, Text and Cover.
Weight: The paper weight is the weight in pounds of a ream of 500 sheets of a particular paper grade. For example, if 500 sheets of "bond" paper weighs 20 pounds, it is referred to as #20 bond paper stock.
Stock: A term that refers to a specific weight and grade of paper. For example, 67# Bristol Vellum.
Perforation Line: Line of very small holes that is punched into the paper to make the various parts of the paper separate from one another by folding and "tearing along the dotted line."
Margin: Margins are the blank space around the edges of the page. In general, you insert text and graphics in the printable area inside the margins. You need to be aware of your printer’s margins. For example, if your printer cannot print anything within 1/2" of a given side of your paper, any text of graphics you try to print in that area will not be printed. In general, if your printer has any margin greater than ¼" you will want to make sure that your graphic design fits inside that physical margins of your printer. Many times, you will want to put a perforation line along the margin so you can tear off the extra paper in the unusable margin.
Perforated Paper, Preperforated Paper: Paper that has one or more perforation lines.
Portrait (Orientation): Vertical orientation of the layout of material on the paper. In other words, the paper is oriented so that it is taller than longer. This orientation is the standard way that material is typically placed on a page.
Stub Line: This is the perforation line between the body of the ticket and the stub of the ticket. A perforated stub line makes it very easy to separate the stub and give the body of the ticket back to the customer.
Text (Paper Grade): These papers are noted for their interesting textures and attractive colors. They enjoy frequent use for announcements, booklets and brochures.