What are Disc Calculators, Slatted Mailers and Flip-Flaps?

What’s in a name, eh? A spade’s a spade, isn’t it? So how come there are so many different names in the cardboard engineering trades that all describe the same thing?

Here’s an example. We have a selection of products that we call dissolvers. The paper engineering “trick” is performed by two interwoven pieces that create a changing picture effect. How about this for a selection of names; woven dissolve, dissolver, picture dissolve, changing picture mailer, slatted mailers and slatted dissolvers. All of these are used by different pop-up manufacturers.

Even a simple folding technique such as that used in our Foldilocks card is known as a concertina fold, an accordian fold, a Z fold and a zig-zag fold whilst our Flicker Card is also called a waterfall card, a flick card, a flip-flap and a gallery card.

But the most ridiculous example of all is that provided by a really simple product. Everyone has seen them but what are they called? What is it? Well, the description is easy – two printed discs made on lightweight card and fastened at the centre with an eyelet or something similar. The top disc will usually have a couple of windows cut out to reveal the print on the disc underneath. The purpose is to provide an easy and entertaining way to pass on information. So what are they called?

Here are some examples of generic names currently in use by manufacturers: wheel charts, information discs, spinners, volvelles, disc calculators, ready reckoners, circle charts, colour wheels, comparison charts, product specifiers… US manufacturer, Datalizer.com lists about 40 different names on its website whilst a book on the product called “Reinventing the wheel” by Jessica Helfand lists over 100 different trade names!

Our print industry customers have it right when they call to ask if we can eyelet 10,000 of those circular whatsits!