what are paper fasteners

What Are Paper Fasteners: Adding Function to Form

As someone who enjoys writing or making beautiful arts and crafts, paper fasteners should be a common term you’ve heard. These items come in different shapes, sizes, and materials but they all serve the same purpose: to securely bind sheets of paper or cardboard together. They may seem simple but they add function to form, enabling you to make presentations, scrapbooks, booklets, and more. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about paper fasteners.

The Basics of Paper Fasteners: Overview and Types

Paper fasteners, also known as paper clips or paper clamps, are small metal or plastic tools that hold sheets of paper together without gluing or stapling them permanently. They work by pressing the papers between two prongs or arms, creating a mechanical bond that can be easily undone when you need to separate the paper. While paper clips are the most common type of fasteners, there are also other varieties such as:

- Binder clips: Similar to paper clips but with a larger mouth, binder clips can hold thicker stacks of paper and have a stronger grip.

- Butterfly paper fasteners: These are specifically created for arts and crafts, as they have a decorative shape that is ideal for attaching embellishments or creating movable parts.

- Paper fastener brads: Also called split pins or split-brad fasteners, they have two legs that you can bend to fix the paper in place. They are often used for scrapbooking, card-making, or packaging.

How to Use Paper Fasteners Properly: Tips and Tricks

Although using paper fasteners seems straightforward, there are some tips and tricks that can help you use them effectively and avoid damaging your paper. Here are some things to keep in mind:

- Don’t overdo it: While paper fasteners are convenient, they can also make your paper look cluttered and hard to read if you use too many. Try to limit the number of fasteners you use and place them strategically, e.g. in the top corner of a report or in the center of a brochure.

- Choose the right size: Different fasteners have different capacities, and you should pick one that matches the thickness and size of your paper. For instance, a small paper clip may not hold more than 5 sheets of paper, while a large binder clip may cause an indentation if used on a single page.

- Be gentle: When you insert the fastener arms into the paper, avoid pushing too hard, as this can tear the paper or create unsightly holes. Instead, wiggle the fastener back and forth until it slides in smoothly.

The Benefits of Paper Fasteners: Why You Need Them in Your Life

As you may have guessed, paper fasteners have many benefits that make them a must-have for anyone who deals with paper on a daily basis. Here are some reasons why you should start using paper fasteners:

- Convenience: Unlike staples, paper fasteners don’t require a special tool or machine to use. You can easily insert or remove them by hand, making them a quick and hassle-free way to organize your paper.

- Flexibility: Unlike glue, paper fasteners allow you to rearrange or reassemble your paper without damaging it. This is especially useful for presentations, where you may want to change the order of the slides or add new pages on the fly.

- Cost-effectiveness: Compared to other binding methods, such as spiral binding or perfect binding, paper fasteners are much cheaper and more accessible. You can buy them in bulk at any office supply store or online shop.

How to Store and Dispose of Paper Fasteners: Safety and Sustainability

Last but not least, it’s important to know how to store and dispose of paper fasteners properly, especially if you have children or pets in your house. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

- Keep them out of reach: Paper fasteners are small and can be a choking hazard for young children or pets. Make sure to store them in a secure place, such as a drawer or a container with a lid.

- Recycle them: Most paper fasteners are made of metal or plastic, which are recyclable materials. Check with your local recycling center to see if they accept these items and how to prepare them for recycling (e.g. remove any paper clips from the paper).

- Don’t flush them: Paper fasteners should not be flushed down the toilet, as they can clog the pipes or damage the plumbing. Dispose of them in the trash instead.