View source for Hole punch

{{short description|Office tool for making uniform holes in paper}}
{{about|the tool for making holes in paper|the computer networking technique|Hole punching (networking)}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2007}}
[[File:3 perforators.jpg|thumb|Three different international-standard two-hole punches]]
A '''hole punch''', also known as a '''hole puncher''' or '''paper puncher''', is an [[office supplies|office tool]] that is used to create holes in sheets of [[paper]], often for the purpose of collecting the sheets in a [[Ring binder|binder]] or folder (such collected sheets are called [[Loose leaf|loose leaves]]). A ''hole punch'' can also refer to similar tools for other materials, such as [[leather punch|leather]], cloth, or sheets of [[plastic film|plastic]] or [[sheet metal|metal]].

== Mechanism ==
[[File:Hole punch workings illustration.svg|thumb|Mechanism of a typical hole punch]]
The essential parts of a hole punch are the ''handle'', the ''punch head'', and the ''die''.  The [[punching|punch head]] is typically a cylinder, with a flat end called the ''face''.  The [[die (manufacturing)|die]] is a flat plate, with a hole matching the head.  The head can move, while the die is fixed in place.  Both head and die are usually made of a [[hardness|hard]] metal, with precise [[engineering tolerance|tolerances]].  One or more sheets of paper are inserted between the head and the die, with the flat face of the head parallel to the surface of the sheets.  Moving the handle pushes the head straight through the sheets of paper.  The hard edge of the punch vs the die cuts a hole in the paper, pushing the cut piece out the bottom of the die.  The cut-out bit of paper scrap is called a ''[[Chad (paper)|chad]]''.

The handle functions as a [[lever]], decreasing the amount of force the operator needs to apply.  The travel distance of the cylinder is generally very short—the thickness of the paper sheets—so the cylinder can be positioned close to the lever [[wikt:fulcrum|fulcrum]].  For low-volume hole punches, the resulting lever handle need not be more than {{convert|8|cm|in}} long for sufficient force.  Hole punches for larger volumes of paper (hundreds of sheets) feature longer lever arms, but function similarly.

There are hole punches which punch patterns of multiple holes at once, typically for [[bookbinding|binding]] multiple sheets together (see {{slink||Applications}}).  Such punches generally feature two paper guides for alignment.  One guide will be along the side of the paper to be punched, and sets the distance of the holes from the edge of the paper (the [[margin (typography)|margin or gutter]]).  The other guide will be on a perpendicular side, and aligns the holes between the top and bottom of the sheet.  One or both guides may be adjustable.

On multiple-hole punches, the positions of individual punch heads may also be adjustable.  Commonly, one or more punch heads are mounted in independent fittings, which can slide along a rail.  A [[set screw]] holds each fitting in position.  There may be marks on the device to identify standard hole positions.  There may be positions where a punch head will not make contact with the activating handle, allowing holes to be "turned off".

Some punch designs use hollow punch heads (a thin-walled tube), with the edge a sharpened [[blade]].  This allows the chads to be pushed up and out the top, as the paper is being cut, making it more suitable for thicker volumes of paper.  For very large amounts of paper, a [[Paper drilling|paper drill]] may be used instead of a punch.

{{clear}}

== Applications ==

=== Single-hole punches ===
[[File:Single-hole-punch.jpg|thumb|Common handheld single-hole punch]]
A single-hole punch makes a single hole per activation, usually at an arbitrary position (i.e., without alignment guides).

Single-hole punches are often used to punch an [[admission ticket]] or other document to indicate it has been used or processed.  A specialized [[ticket punch]] may be used for this purpose.  Some ticket punches have a longer reach/depth (allowing for a particular spot on the ticket to be punched), or punch a particular shape instead of a round hole.

Single-hole punches are often used to punch holes through old [[playing card]]s at [[casino]]s, marking them as "used" or "canceled". This helps cut down on cheating by eliminating any cards that may have been tainted by players.

Single-hole punches are widely used in the British [[Civil Service (United Kingdom)|Civil Service]] where papers are punched with a single hole in the upper left, and secured using a [[treasury tag]].

Single-hole punches can also be used for binding, with a single loose binding ring, although this is much less common than with ring binders.

Single-hole punches can also be used to make [[confetti]] for [[scrapbooking|scrapbooks]] and other [[Arts and Crafts movement|crafting]].

==== Eyelet punch ====
[[File:Eyelet punch.JPG|thumb|right|Eyelet punch press]]
A related office tool is the '''eyelet punch'''.  This is a single-hole punch which also crimps a metal fastening loop around the hole, similar to a [[rivet]].  It is used to permanently secure a few sheets of paper together.

A similar tool, generally known as a '''holing pincer''', is used in [[animal husbandry]].  A common application is to attach an [[ear tag]] to a [[livestock]] animal.

==== Paper tape repair punch ====
Specialized hand-operated tape punches were used to perform small edits and repairs on [[Punched tape|punched paper tape]]s used for data entry into [[teletype]]s or early computers. Torn or damaged tapes were sometimes aligned with specialized [[Jig (tool)|jig]]s, spliced with special adhesive tape, and the holes encoding data were manually restored using such punches. The [[ASCII]] character code included a special DELETE or [[Delete character|DEL character]] defined as all holes punched out (code 7F), allowing an erroneous character to be canceled by punching extra holes.

As punched tape technology became obsolescent in the 1980s, the manual tape repair tools became rare.

=== Multiple-hole punches ===
Multiple-hole punches typically place a pattern of holes along one edge of sheets of paper, allowing the pages to be [[bookbinding|bound]] together.

The most common use for multi-hole punched paper is with a [[ring binder]].  A book-like cover is fitted with retaining rings matching the pattern of the punched holes.  The rings may be split open, paper sheets threaded onto them, and then the rings closed again.

A variety of hole patterns are in use for ring bindings.  In much of the world, two-hole and four-hole punches consistent with ISO 838 are the norm.  In the US, the three-hole punch is most common.  See {{slink||Standards}}.

There are other binding techniques which use hole punching. [[Coil binding]] uses a spring-like coil, threaded into the punched holes. [[Comb binding]] uses a plastic strip with "fingers" that clip into the punched holes.  Both use their own types of specialized hole punches.  Comb binding typically punches 19 or 23 rectangular holes (for letter and A4 paper sizes, respectively).

<gallery mode="packed">

File:VierfachLocher (fcm).jpg|German four-hole punch
File:Perforator 23-gats.jpg|23-hole punch
</gallery>

==== Hole punch for discbound notebooks ====
A hole punch does not necessarily make round or square holes in a sheet of paper; instead, it may create certain shapes along the edge of the sheet. This is seen in discbound notebook systems, where loose leaves are bound together using plastic discs. For more information on loose leaf systems, see [[Loose leaf]].<gallery>
File:Staples ARC hole punch for ARC discbound notebook system.jpg|ARC hole punch for ARC discbound notebook system
File:Binder-based and discbound loose leaf systems.jpg|[[Ring binder|Binder]]-based and discbound [[loose leaf]] systems
</gallery>

== History ==
The origins of the hole punch date back to Germany; [[Friedrich Soennecken]] filed his patent on 14 November 1886, for his {{Lang|de|Papierlocher für Sammelmappen}}, a multiple-hole punch and [[Office supplies|office supply]] product.<ref name="bronline1"/><ref name="poppelsdorf1"/> A [[Google Doodle]] was used on 14 November 2017 to celebrate the 131st anniversary of the hole punch.<ref name="goog-dood" />

The first record for a single-hole puncher—a [[ticket punch]]—was published in 1885, when Benjamin Smith helped create a spring-loaded hole puncher that had a receptacle to collect the chads. Smith dubbed it the "conductor's punch". A later paper punch was refined in 1893 by Charles Brooks, and it was referred to as a ticket punch due to its early role in punching [[train ticket]]s as [[train]]s became increasingly popular and common between 1850 and 1900.<ref name="mindock1"/>

== Standards ==
Multiple standards exist for the number and position of holes on multi-punched sheets.

=== International ===

==== ISO 838 ====
[[File:Filingholes2.gif|thumb|400px|ISO 838 template]]
[[International Organization for Standardization|International Standard]] ISO&nbsp;838 specifies two holes, with centers {{val|80|0.5|u=mm}} apart, and located {{val|12|1|u=mm}} from the nearest edge of the paper, and with the pair of holes positioned symmetrically along that edge.  Each hole is to have a diameter of {{val|6|0.5|u=mm}}.  Any paper format that is at least 100&nbsp;mm high can be filed using this system (e.g., ISO A7 and larger).  A printed document with a margin of 20–25&nbsp;mm will accommodate ISO&nbsp;838 filing holes.

==== 4-hole or 888 ====
A four-hole extension to ISO&nbsp;838 is also in common use.  Two holes are punched in accordance with the standard, plus two additional holes located 80&nbsp;mm to the outside of the standard holes.  The two additional holes provide more stability in 4-ring binders, while still allowing 4-hole paper to fit 2-ring binders.  This extension is sometimes referred to as the "888" system because of the three 8&nbsp;cm gaps between the holes. (NB: Referring to this de-facto standard as "ISO 888" is inaccurate, since the actual ISO 888 standard concerns [[fastener]]s, not holes in paper.) Some 2-hole punches have an "888" marking on their paper guide, to assist punching all four holes into [[A4 paper]].<ref name="markus1"/>

[[Konica Minolta]] specifies that for European 4-hole arrangements, all holes should be {{val|11|1|u=mm}} from the nearest (i.e. long/spine) edge of the paper,<ref name="konica1"/> which is slightly at variance with ISO&nbsp;838's specification of {{val|12|1|u=mm}}.

=== ANSI paper sizes ===
The [[United States]] and a few other countries use non-ISO paper standards, defined in [[ANSI/ASME Y14.1]] and other intra-nation standards.  Unlike ISO&nbsp;838, there appears to be no well-established official specification for ANSI paper hole patterns, and instead they are [[de facto standard]]s, established by custom and tradition.

The diameter of the holes varies between manufacturers, with typical values being {{convert|1/4|to|5/16|in|mm|0}}.  The {{frac|5|16}} value is most commonly used, as it allows for looser tolerances in both ring binder and paper punching.  The distance to the paper edge also varies, with {{convert|1/2|in|mm|0}} hole-center-to-edge being typical.  Konica-Minolta specifies {{val|9.5|1|u=mm}}<ref name="konica1"/> for both two and three-hole variants in North America.

==== US letter 3-hole system ====
For the [[Letter (paper size)|US letter]] paper size ({{convert|8+1/2|by|11|in|mm|disp=comma}}), a three-hole standard is widely used. The holes are positioned symmetrically, with the centers {{convert|4+1/4|in|mm|0}} apart.  It requires paper formats that are at least {{convert|9+1/2|in|mm|0}} high. There is a variant for [[half-letter|half-letter size pages]] ({{convert|8+1/2|x|5+1/2|in|mm|abbr=out|disp=or}}), whose three holes are {{convert|2+3/4|in|mm}} apart.

==== US legal 4-hole system ====
For [[Legal paper|US legal]] paper size ({{convert|8+1/2|by|14|in|mm|disp=comma}}), a 
4-hole system exists.  It is still in use today, but is not as common as the 3-hole standard.  The four holes are positioned symmetrically with centers {{convert|3+1/2|in|mm|0}} apart.  The four binding positions provide more support for the longer 14-inch side of legal paper.

==== 2-hole filebinder ====
[[File:Hole punch.JPG|thumb|Two-hole filebinder hole punch]]
Another standard also occasionally used in the US is a "filebinder" system. Its two holes are positioned symmetrically, each {{convert|2+3/4|in|mm}} apart from the center, i.e. {{convert|5+1/2|in|mm}} apart from each other. This matches the half-letter 3-hole system, except that the middle hole is omitted.

=== Swedish triohålning ===
[[File:Triohalning.jpg|thumb|''Triohålning'' punch and punched paper]]
In Sweden, a four-hole national standard<ref name="SS-62-81-02"/> is almost exclusively used. The centers of the holes are {{val|21|u=mm}}, {{val|70|u=mm}} and {{val|21|u=mm}} apart, {{val|10.5|0.5|u=mm}} from the edge of the paper. These holes fit on the longer side of an A6, though it is usually used for A4 papers.

The official name of this four-hole system is ''triohålning'', since it was adapted to the "Trio binder" which was awarded Swedish patent in 1890. The binder's inventor, Andreas Tengwall, supposedly named it after a consortium consisting of himself and two companions, i.e. a trio.{{citation needed|date=May 2015}}

Most trio-styled hole punches have an extendable meter where you can specify the page size (e.g. A4, A5 or A6). Putting the top of the page at the meter edge centers the holes on a paper of specified size. Thus, the same hole punch can be used for papers and binders of varying sizes (A6 or larger). It also means that for example an A6 sheet can be inserted centered into an A4 folder.

Trio-styled binders don't have rings where related guide-pins meet in the middle of the binder. Rather, all guide pins go all the way through a closed binder and are attached to either side of the binder. The inner holes have guide pins from one side (usually the back), and the outer holes have pins from the other side. A full binder can in this way be opened in the front or the back and rely on full-length guide pins (either the inner or outer holes). This way, it is also possible to easily turn over the leaves of an open binder without closing it fully. By gently closing the binder half way such that the guide-pins from either side overlap slightly, a page will be able to slide from one side of the binder to the other without manually fitting guide pins into the punched holes.

=== Dutch 23-ring system ===
[[File:Dutch "Multo" 23-ring binder showing rings closed and open.jpg|thumb|Dutch "Multo" 23-ring binder showing rings closed and open]]
In The Netherlands, a 23-ring system is common, alongside the more familiar 4-ring (and to a lesser extent) 2-ring systems. The centers of the holes are {{val|12.7|u=mm}} apart. This is half-inch spacing, and is because the predecessor 17-hole system (now little used) was a US patent.

Originally a system patented as Multo in the 1970s, Dutch people often refer to it as ''Multomap'' (‘Multo binder’) irrespective of the brand, and sometimes, by extension, to any ring binder. This usage is so common that ''multomap'' appears in the official [https://woordenlijst.org/zoeken/?q=multomap spelling list] of the Dutch language, and the Van Dale Dutch–English dictionary gives its translation as ‘ring binder’.

The punches are much heavier and more expensive than comparable 4-hole punches, and are normally to be found in schools and offices, rather than in domestic settings, though there are lightweight models, that accept a single sheet of paper. For this reason it is common to use prepunched polypropylene pockets rather than punch the pages. Binders, punches and pockets are only available from Dutch sources.

=== Others ===
* The [[Filofax]] system uses six holes in two groups of three.

=== Hole spacing chart ===
[[File:Common-hole-patterns-in-punches-and-binders.svg|thumb|left|600px|
Commonly used hole patterns for hole punches and ring binders<ref name="appleton1"/>]]
{{-}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed">

File:Locher Soennecken.jpg|Antique Soennecken hole punch
File:Soennecken hole punch.jpg|Antique heavy-duty Soennecken hole punch
File:Hålstans.JPG|Swedish hole punch
File:Locher holz.JPG|German Leitz hole punch
File:Trouilloteuse One Hole Punch Japan 01.jpg|Japanese single-hole punch
File:Hole punch.jpg|Closeup of punch with blue plastic [[Chad (paper)|chad]] collector
File:Einlocher grau (fcm).jpg|Single-hole punch for paper
File:Western Electric UNIX User's Guide (open).jpg|Paper punched with 7 holes, in a 4-ring binder
File:Locher.gif|A hole punch in use
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Ticket punch]]
* [[Needle punch]]
* [[Chad (paper)]]
* [[Paper drilling]]
* [[Ring binder]]
* [[Loose leaf]]
* [[Punched card]]
* [[Punched tape]]
* [[Punching]]

== References ==
<references>
<ref name="bronline1">{{citation
|title          = Geburtstag des Lochers
|trans-title    = Birthday of the Punch
|language       = de
|author         = Xaver Frühbeis
|editor         = Renate von Walter
|publisher      = Bayerischer Rundfunk
|date           = 14 November 2000
|url            = http://www.br-online.de/wissen-bildung/kalenderblatt/november/kb20001114.rtf
|format         = RTF
|url-status     = dead
|archive-url    = https://web.archive.org/web/20040902075749/http://www.br-online.de/wissen-bildung/kalenderblatt/november/kb20001114.rtf
|archive-format = [[Rich Text Format|RTF]]
|archive-date   = 2004-09-02
}} </ref>

<ref name="poppelsdorf1"> {{citation
|title          = Soennecken
|date           = 2001-04-23
|others         = Photographs by Helmut Uessem
|work           = Poppelsdorfer Heimatsammlung Stöcker
|url            = http://www.poppelsdorf.de/poppelsdorfer__heimatsammlung_soennecken.htm
|access-date    = 2008-02-14
|url-status     = dead
|archive-url    = https://web.archive.org/web/20110719073112/http://www.poppelsdorf.de/poppelsdorfer__heimatsammlung_soennecken.htm
|archive-date   = 2011-07-19
}}</ref>

<ref name="mindock1">{{citation
|title          = Hole punch history: How the world became more organised in a single thadumph
|date           = 13 November 2017
|work           = The Independent
|author         = Clark Mindock
|url            = https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/hole-punch-history-what-is-it-google-doodle-how-work-changed-world-today-a8053256.html
|url-status     = live
|access-date    = 2021-12-22
|archive-url    = https://web.archive.org/web/20200421200050/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/hole-punch-history-what-is-it-google-doodle-how-work-changed-world-today-a8053256.html
|archive-date   = 2020-04-21
}}</ref>

<ref name="goog-dood">{{citation
|title          = 131st Anniversary of the Hole Puncher
|date           = 14 November 2017
|others         = Drawing by Gerben Steenks
|url            = https://doodles.google/doodle/131st-anniversary-of-the-hole-puncher/
|url-status     = live
|access-date    = 14 November 2017
|archive-url    = https://web.archive.org/web/20210820223619/https://www.google.com/doodles/131st-anniversary-of-the-hole-puncher
|archive-date   = 2021-08-20
}}</ref>

<ref name="markus1">{{citation
|title          = International standard paper sizes
|author         = Markus Kuhn
|date           = 2018-07-13
|url            = https://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~mgk25/iso-paper.html
|access-date    = 2019-08-08
|url-status     = live
|archive-url    = https://web.archive.org/web/20211205190517/https://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~mgk25/iso-paper.html
|archive-date   = 2021-12-05
|quote          = Not specified in ISO 838, but also widely used, is an upwards compatible 4-hole system. Its two middle holes correspond to ISO 838, plus there are two additional holes located 80 mm above and below these to provide for more stability. This way, sheets with four punched holes can also be filed in ISO 838 2-hole binders. This system is also known under the nickname "888", presumably because the three gaps between the holes are all 8 cm wide.
}}</ref>

<ref name="SS-62-81-02">{{citation
|title          = SS 62 81 02: Dokumentförvaring – Fästhål för dokument
|trans-title    = SS 62 81 02: Document Retention – Holes for Filing Purposes
|language       = sv
|date           = 2006-06-06
|publisher      = Svenska institutet för standarder [Swedish Institute for Standards]
|url            = https://www.sis.se/api/document/preview/28087/
|access-date    = 2020-08-07
}} </ref>

<ref name="konica1">{{citation
|title          = PK-520 Punch Kit Installation Manual
|publisher      = Konica Minolta
|page           = E-4
|id             = A3ET-9550-01 <!-- Konica document part number -->
}}</ref>

<ref name="appleton1">{{cite web
|title          = Appleton Standard Layout
|url            = http://www.appletonideas.com/Appleton/jsps/01/pdf/SMPHolePunch.pdf
|access-date    = 2013-02-12
|url-status     = dead 
|archive-url    = https://web.archive.org/web/20131126045500/http://www.appletonideas.com/Appleton/jsps/01/pdf/SMPHolePunch.pdf
|archive-date   = 2013-11-26
}}</ref>

</references>
* {{patent|US|313027}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline|Hole punchers|lcfirst=yes}}

{{Hand tools}}

{{ISO standards}}

[[Category:Office equipment]]
[[Category:Hole making]]
[[Category:German inventions]]
[[Category:19th-century inventions]]
[[Category:ISO standards]]