All About Ring Binders – Their Application In A Work Setting
Monday, February 6th, 2012Various office supply items are being used everyday both in offices and at home to organize one’s documents, as well as other important paper stuffs. Among the most popularly used filing tool today for important paperwork are ring binders. Used for a variety of applications, these types of binders hold pieces of paper in place through metal prongs that run through the holes in the paper. These office supply items were invented by German inventor Friedrich Soennecken in 1886.
Despite today’s electronic era where important files are being saved and transferred through the use of flash drives and other electronic devices, most, if not all, companies still keep a hard copy of their most important documents. To do so, various types of folders and filing tools are being employed. Among these are ring binders which are a type of folder made from three pieces of plastic or hardboard. Formed as a hardback book, these pieces of materials serve as an enclosure for one’s paperwork. To hold pieces of paper in place, two, three, or four metal circular rings are positioned along the inside of spine and run through the holes in the paper.
Ring binders, as mentioned, have been widely used for a variety of applications. Among the most common uses of these binders is as an organizer of financial information-they are being used to record financial information, receipts, spreadsheets of income, etc. Another popular use of these binders is as portfolio of professional work samples which is a must-have tool for job interviews and networking. Aside from these two, these binders are also widely used to organize school materials and homework and collections such as stamps, baseball cards, and other memorabilia. They can also be used to construct sturdy scrapbooks and binder cookbooks.
Binders can be purchased in a wide array of types. Nonetheless, many office employees, as well as students, prefer ring binders among the other types of said filing tools. This primarily is because of the metal prongs that hold the pages in a clasp that can be opened and closed easily for additions or removal of documents. Also, the promotional value of these ring binders is being cited for the popularity of said filing tools-the corporate colors and graphics can be imprinted on the ring binder’s spice and cover. Finally, the durable nature of these types of binders largely contributes to their popularity.
Various factors should be considered when purchasing ring binders. To consider these factors before making any purchase decision is vital to choosing the best one to use given the number of options to choose from. Among these important factors is the material used in the manufacture of the binder. Ring binders can today be purchased in materials such as paper covered board, PVC cover on board, and polypropylene full cover. Aside from such, it is also important to consider the required identification method. These methods may be spine ticket pocket, full-length wrap around, business card pocket, or clear full pocket.
Ring binders are indeed indispensable office supply items. With the number of applications where they may be used, stocking one’s shelves with a supply of these binders is definitely not a waste of office space. Nonetheless, one should choose among the number of options the best one that would suit their needs.
Janelle Dizon is a Marketing Management student from Germany. As her degree requires her to create and present a variety of paperwork, Janelle keeps at handful of ring binders, or what they call as “Buerobedarf Ordner” (in German), where she may carry and present her documents.