Pärmar

Pärmar are the protective bindings or covers used for books and other documents. The term covers both traditional bookbindings and more modern binding systems such as ring binders used for loose-leaf materials. The primary purpose is to protect pages from damage, provide structure to the volume, and enable handling and storage.

In traditional bookbinding, pärmar consist of a front cover, a back cover, and a spine, often made of materials such as cardboard, cloth, leather, or paper. The cover may display the title, author, and publisher. In libraries, the spine label helps identify volumes on shelves. In offices and schools, ring binders, lever-arch files, and screw-post bindings are common types of pärmar for organizing loose sheets.

Materials and styles vary. There are hardcovers and softcovers, as well as durable bindings for frequent use. Common outside materials include cardboard or thick paperboard, with cloth or leather finishes. For archival work, acid-free papers and archival-quality covers are preferred to improve longevity.

Sizes range from small pocket formats to larger binder sizes. Ring binders typically use standard ring configurations and common sheet dimensions such as A4 or Letter size. Maintenance includes proper storage, controlling humidity, and labeling the spine with the title and year when feasible.

See also: bookbinding, library science, archiving, office supplies.