how to use paper fasteners

How to Use Paper Fasteners

As children, many of us learned how to use paper fasteners or brads in school when crafting fun projects or binders for schoolwork. However, as adults, we do not often use them unless we work in the creative or stationery field. Despite this, they can be very useful within an office setting for organizing important documents, ensuring important reports are kept together or bundling other crucial paperwork. In this article, we will explore what paper fasteners are, review their different types, and provide instructions on how to use them in your daily office routine.

What Are Paper Fasteners?

Paper fasteners, which are interchangeably called paper brads or document fasteners, are tools used for binding papers together. They consist of two pieces; the head, which is usually flat, and the legs. These are separated by a cylindrical shaft, which is referred to as the shank. The legs are designed to puncture through a stack of paper to hold them together, whilst the head holds the legs securely in place, preventing the brads from falling off. With a variety of uses in the workplace, paper fasteners offer an excellent solution to keeping key documents together and organized.

Types of Paper Fasteners

There are different types of paper fasteners in the stationery market. The two main ones include:

1. Round or Oval Head Fasteners: These are the most common paper fasteners in the market consisting of a round or oval head that presses down on the legs. The force applied to the head of the fasteners will clamp the paper in between.

2. Clasp Fasteners: Clasp fasteners come in two varieties: butterfly clasp and tri-fold clasp. They fasten paperwork together by creating an interlocking grip between the legs or wings of the clasp fastener, which is also called the "spring tongue." The tongue is usually bent or folded back to slide through the holes made in papers, and it springs back after going through the papers to keep them together.

How to Use Paper Fasteners

Paper fasteners can be used for a variety of purposes, and with the right approach and technique, you can quickly and easily bind sheets of paper to create stable and robust datasets or reports.

1. Prepare Your Paperwork: It's important to prep your papers beforehand to avoid tearing or damaging your documents. Organize your papers in the desired order, align the paper stack and ensure they're free of dust, debris, or any other object. A nice sharp crease in the stack can also make it easier to align the holes for the fasteners.

2. Punch a Hole: Create holes through the stack using a hole puncher. Punch holes parallel to the length of the documents. Often, manufacturers provide a guide for proper alignment when using paper fasteners.

3. Push in Legs: Stick the legs of the paper fastener through the hole, ensuring they are facing downwards, and into the other side of the hole. If the hole is too tight or you have multiple sheets of paper, you can lubricate the legs to make it easier.

4. Lock the Fastener Head: Lastly, lock the head of the fastener by pressing it down firmly and securely against the legs. Ensure the paper stack does not slide out by testing the firmness of the hold.

Paper fasteners are an excellent tool for keeping your paperwork together and organized. With the various types available in the market and easy-to-follow instructions, you can be assured that you’ll be able to utilize paper fasteners effectively within your daily office routine.