grapado

Grapado is a term used in Portuguese to describe items, usually documents, that have been bound together with staples. The adjective derives from the verb grapar, to staple, and from the noun grapa, a staple. In everyday language, phrases such as folhas grapadas (stapled sheets) or relatório grapado (stapled report) indicate that the pages are held together by staples rather than by binding or stitching. The term is common in offices, schools, and publishing contexts where a lightweight, low-cost binding is sufficient.

Usage and context

Grapado typically refers to binding a small number of pages with staples. It is contrasted with encadernado (bound with glue or stitching) or with loose sheets. It is also used to describe booklets, handouts, and forms that are distributed in this simple format. In some settings, the state of being grapado conveys practicality and immediacy, emphasizing efficiency over durability.

Equipment and process

The device used to create grapados is the grapadora or grapadeira (stapler). Staples are called grapas, and the act of binding is grapar. The term can apply to both single-page stapling and stapling multiple sheets together, typically along the top edge.

Limitations

Grapado is not suitable for archival storage or heavy-duty binding, as staples can corrode, loosen, or damage the pages over time, especially under moisture or frequent handling. For longer-term documents, other binding methods are preferred.

See also

Grapa, grapadora, encadernado. In related contexts, similar terms exist in Spanish-speaking regions and in English, where the process is simply called stapling.