The type of binding (cover) used in the diary.
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Soft. Softness in this case means flexibility: this type of binding can be bent quite strongly, after which it will straighten out without any marks or damage. This can be useful when packing the diary tightly, for example, in a bag — the cover will slightly bend to the shape of the surrounding things, without creating extra volume. On the other hand, the degree of protection for such covers is lower than for hard ones, and the appearance of such diaries is generally less solid. As a result, they are somewhat less common than solid ones.
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Hard. Covers made of hard rigid materials are slightly less convenient to transport than soft ones. On the other hand, they provide not only a higher degree of protection, but also a stylish appearance — which is important, given that the diary often also plays the role of a fashion accessory. Due to this, hardcovers have become quite widespread.
— Cardboard. A kind of paper that differs from the regular paper in greater thickness and, accordingly, durability. The main advantages of cardboard are ease of production and low cost. At the same time, its protective properties are quite modest: for example, water resistance is usually out of the question, stains from various liquids (for example, tea) instantly appear on such a cover. In addition, after folding, a specific wrinkle remains on the straightened cardboard, spoiling the appearance. As a result, this material is used relatively rarely and mainly in the simplest diaries.
— Ecopolymer. In terms of practical properties, this material is a type of plastic; the word "eco" in the name indicates the safety for the environment claimed by the manufacturer. The ecopolymer is strong enough, moisture resistant, easily cleaned of dirt, it can be given almost any colour, and this material is inexpensive. Among the cons it can be noted the tendency to scratches.
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Leather. A very advanced material that combines good protective properties and stylish appearance — thanks to the last one, a leather diary can also play the role of a fashion accessory. Leather covers are available in various colours and textures (smooth leather, suede). Of the protective properties, it is worth mentioning resistance to water and temperature extremes. At the same time, this material is sensitive to scratches and rather demanding of care: you n
...eed to periodically treat it with protective agents and follow special conditions for cleaning and drying. Without this, deformations and cracks are possible, spoiling the appearance of the product. And the cost of the leather is quite high.
— Leatherette. Man-made material that imitates the look of leather. Its main advantage over it is a significantly lower cost, while products made from both materials may differ very slightly in appearance (or even with no difference at all). However, there is a disadvantage: leatherette products are much less resistant to negative influences. They are not so durable, prone to abrasion and are sensitive to temperature changes. It is worth noting that nowadays there are many types of leatherette, and their specs (primarily strength, durability and appearance) are usually directly related to the price.
