Purfling

Purfling is a narrow decorative edge inlaid into the top plate and often the back plate of a stringed instrument. It was originally made of laminated strips of wood, and later nacre and other hard inlay materials. Plastic is commonly used in modern mass-produced instruments. Purfling may affect the instrument's acoustics.

Purfling is distinct from binding, which is used primarily to control moisture rather than decoration. Inexpensive instruments may simulate purfling with paint.