Vinyl sleeves are made of two pieces of plastic, usually PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) that have been sealed together using heat or RF (radio frequency).The two pieces of vinyl are sealed together on three sides to form a holder that can be used to store various (mostly flat) items or documents. The most common uses for vinyl sleeves are page protectors, presentation sleeves, menu covers, or business card holders.The vinyl sleeves are preferred for presentation materials as they are very clear, without significant distortion while also being mostly impermeable.This protects the documents from many environmental factors which is why these covers are commonly used for archiving documents. Vinyl or plastic sleeves are also used for menu holders as they are easy to clear and protect the menu from deterioration from constant use.
Vinyl sleeves and pockets come in a variety of sizes, colors, and thicknesses but generally, the sleeves are made in 6 gauge to 10 gauge clear plastic.The surface of the material is usually determined by the application. For example, when the sleeves are used for presentation materials, document storage and collector pieces the vinyl sleeves are clear or polished clear.The cover provide storage and protection for the insert or collectable while offering a package that is waterproof and has very low visual distortion. This allows the materials or documents within the sleeve to be read or reviewed freely without direct contact which can be important to preserving the coin, document, or item. For more challenging environments or applications, say holding a menu, the vinyl sleeve may be purchased with a thicker plastic so that the packaging may be more durable.
Vinyl sleeves are commonly used to hold stamps, coins, documents and other collectables. The vinyl or plastic sleeves are chosen because they are very inexpensive and provide a lightweight, waterproof and durable protection while having very low visual distortion.The low distortion means that the collectable item, say a baseball card or stamp can be viewed and handled without damaging the collectable.By protecting the insert from fluids, the sleeve will protect it from damage due to spills or changes in humidity.But, when you are using vinyl sleeves for your most precious collectables or inserts, it is important to use acid-free materials so that there is no damage to the collectable or transfer of the image in a piece that would ruin it.
Vinyl sleeves are a great way to add to your presentation.By using the polished clear vinyl sleeves, you can add weight to your documents and add that ‘polished’ look to your graphics within the document.We have all seen that things that are shiny are usually valuable and that things that are dull are not.It is for this reason that the photographic papers have been using glossy finishes on their papers to add impact of the images printed on them.Where you are not going to use photographic paper for your document, the cover can be showcased within a polished cover to highlight that this document is important enough to read and is valuable enough to protect.
