A binder or a ring binder is a large type of folder that’s used to store, organize and protect hole-punched paper. Binders allow you to easily add, remove or rearrange documents at any time, which makes them easy to work with compared to more permanent binding methods like stapling. Alongside a reliable binder, stock up on office supplies and school supplies like calculators, rulers, pens, pencils and notebooks.

A sheet protector is a clear plastic sleeve that’s used to store and protect important documents. They are open at one end to easily insert and remove papers, and on the other end, they have a three-hole punched edge to easily be placed in a binder. It allows pages to easily be viewed and turned without tearing or damage to the paper. Many people use binders and sheet protectors along with file folders, filing cabinets or a spacious office desk to keep their workspace organized.

When you’re choosing the right binder size, it comes down to three main factors: document size, sheet capacity and the ring style. The size of a binder is measured by the inside diameter of the rings, rather than the width of the binder’s spine. Start by considering the size of the documents you want to store in your binders, whether you have standard letter (8.5” x 11”), legal (8.5” x 14”) or A5/mini which is for planners and diaries. Next, think about how many documents you want to hold. We have 0.5” binders that can carry around 120 documents to 6” binders that can carry around 1,300 documents. Lastly, think about the ring style you want in your binder. Round or O-ring binders are the most common for everyday use. While D-ring binders have a higher document capacity and the pages sit in better alignment on top of each other. However, they can be bulkier than O-ring binders.

To make your binder as organized as possible, you should consider getting accessories like dividers, sheet protectors, binder pockets and tabs. If you’re using your binder for note-taking at work or school, make sure to stock up on ruled refill paper and writing supplies like pencils, pens, markers, highlighters, erasers, pencil sharpeners and more. If you print out documents for your binders, make sure you get a reliable laser printer, inkjet printer or supertank printer with the right ink and toner.