10 Ways To Use Ring Binders

Ring binders are used in all sorts of situations today - for example, in the office for organizing various types of documents, at home for organizing coupons or recipes, or even at school for organizing handouts, homework and projects. Ring binders have come a long way since it was first invented. There have been design changes to the ring itself, and also to the materials used to make the binders. People also use binders now for a different reason compared to when it was first invented. Let’s take a quick look at whom, when, and why it was first invited. Then we will share with you 10 ways how ring binders are used today.

Brief History 
 
History has it that ring binders were first invited by a German entrepreneur and inventor Friedrich Soennecken in 1886. He was an office supplier in his home town and was keen on creating his on inventions. He registered a patent for his design which was of a 2-ring mechanism that would open and close using a lever. By pulling the lever up the rings would open, and then close when you push the lever down. Soennecken would later also invent and registered a patent for his hole punching invention. Of course, this hole puncher was in a part the result of his ring binder invention because holes needed to be punched into papers in order for them to be inserted into the binders.

(Although hole punchers are still being used today, many are started to prefer using sheet protectors. With sheet protectors you don’t need to damage your papers with punching holes into them, and it also adds an extra level of protection to your papers.)

In the US, loose-leaf paper was becoming a popular thing in the 1854. Instead of notebooks, people started using loose-leaf papers because they thought it was more convenient. It didn't take too long for those same people to realize that using loose-leaf paper was actually more inconvenient - especially when the papers accumulate over time and people started losing pages. They needed something to organize these loose papers, and that is when Henry T. Sisson from Providence, Rhode Island came up with his ring binder designer. He recognized the need for something to protect and organize these papers. It wasn't until 1899 when he finally perfected his design and a binder was available for purchase on the market. The Chicago Binder and File Company was one of the first companies to sell binders. There were 2 types of designs – a 2-ring binder and a 3-ring binder. Most were selling 2-ring binders in the beginning but later more 3-rings were sold because it did a better job of holding papers in place.

1899 ad from the Chicago Binder and File Company

Over these 100+ years, binders have changed tremendously. Original binders were made from heavy cardboard-like material and their rings were made of cold rolled steel. First it was the 2-ring design, and then there was the 3-ring. The Swedish also came up with a 4-ring design of their own. And now today there are even binders with multiple rings (spiral binders), and ones that don’t use rings (post-bound or strap-hinge binders). Now we have binders made in all sorts of materials like plastics, cardboards, metals, fabrics, etc. In the past, because loose leaf paper was only available in letter size so therefore binders were only made in that size. Today binders are available in all types of sizes as different size loose leaf papers became available. We have small ones like 5.5x8.5, to even bigger ones like13x19 and 14x17. What’s also different with binders today is that they are not only for storing loose leaf paper anymore. They can be used for various different purposes. Some people use them for photo albums, some for portfolios, some of organizing business cards, some of CDs – basically binders have become something of a multi-purpose storage/organization tool.

Here are 10 ways to use ring binders (and which ideal Keepfiling size binder should you use for this purpose):

1. Paper organizer – this can be at home, in the office, or at school.
   (Letter Size Binder is the most common for this purpose, sometimes Legal Size Binder as well)
2. Photo albums – organize old or new photos in a binder for viewing.
   (Mini 5.5x8.5 Binder fits this purpose well)
3. Scrapbooks – for those arts and crafts enthusiast who enjoys the art of scrapbooking.
   (12x12 Binder)
4. Music binder – musicians often need a binder to organize their scores.
   (9x12 Music Binder)
5. Portfolios – to display any type of creative work like paintings, posters, architecture drawings.
   (11x14 Binder, 17x11 Binder, 11x17 Binder, 14x17 Binder)
6. Homeschool binder – a lot of homeschool parents use binders to help organize their materials.
   (Mini Binders - especially great for Classical Conversation cards, Letter Size Binders)
7. CD/DVD organizer – no more bulky jewel boxes for all your discs. Organize them into a binder to save space.
   (CD Binders, Letter Size Binder)
8. Cookbook – recipes are an important part of a household. Organize your recipes with binders and make yourself an easy to use cookbook.
   (Mini Binder, Letter Size Binder)
9. Business card organizer – with the right kind of business card sheet protectors you can use a binder or organize all the business cards you collect.
   (Letter Size Binder)
10. Collection binder – again, with the right type of sheet protectors, you can use a binder to organize any of your collections like stamps, coins, cards, etc.
    (Any Keepfiling binder would work as long as it fits the size of the sheet protectors you purchase for your collection)

3 Things to Consider When Choosing a Binder

There is a wide selection of binders available for consumers to purchase today.  Just walk down any office store and you will notice all the different types of binders there are on the market today.  A regular consumer might be intimidated by the wide selection and will often just go for the cheapest one available, which is not always the best solution.  It is important to choose the right binder for the right purpose.  If you need a presentation binder you will want something  nice and thin, not a big heavy reference type binder.

When buying a binder, a smart consumer will understand their need and evaluate their options before simply picking the cheapest binder available.  When buying binders, there are 3 simple things you need to consider about - size, rings, and materials.

Size

The size of the binder is important simply because it needs to match with the documents size you're working with.  If you're organizing letter size paper then you will want a letter size binder, or if it's legal size paper then a legal size binder, and so forth.  It's pretty simple, the right size binder will protect your papers.  You don't want something smaller because the papers won't fit, and you don't necessary want something bigger either because even though it will protect your paper, it will be hard to handle the binder and it can be a waste of space when you're shelving them.  It's important to have the right size binder for your paper.

There are all sorts of binders out there today for different paper sizes.  At Keepfiling we have standard types like the letter size, legal size and A4.  We also have smaller ones like the Mini Binders, as well as bigger and unique sizes like 9x12, 11x17, 14x17, etc.  You can check out all Keepfiling Binders on our website.

 - Keepfiling binders in different sizes; from large to small

Rings

Contrary to popular belief, the capacity of a binder depends on the rings that are used and not the width of the binder spine.  It's very common for consumers to think that the wider the binder spine then the more paper it will hold, but actually the capacity is based on how the ring size of the binder.  There are two types of rings - O-rings and D-rings, and their ring size are measured differently.  For O-rings, the ring size refers to the diameter of the ring.  The wider the diameter, the more it can hold.  For D-rings, the ring size refers to the height of the straight part of the ring.  The longer the straight part is, the more it can hold.  D-rings are sometimes offered in a slight angle, and they are called slanted D-rings. 

 - Different ring types and sizes

When comparing the two types of rings, apart from the obvious difference in shape, the main difference is that D-rings can hold up to 25% more than O-rings.  This is important because if you are looking for a binder to organize a lot of paper, like a manual, reference binder, or archive, then you will want a thicker binder with D-rings.  On the other hand, O-rings are usually found on presentation binders that are thinner and does not require a lot of capacity.

Another small difference between the two rings is that O-rings are mounted onto the binder spine, while D-rings are onto the back cover of the binder which allows paper to lie flat.  Some people prefer this as they think it looks nice and is more organized.  All Keepfiling binders are equipped with D-rings to offer a more uniform look for organizing papers. 

Here is a table showing roughly the capacity a binder can hold with different ring sizes.

Ring Size	Sheet Capacity
1/2"	80 - 110
3/4"	100 - 130
1"	170 - 200
1-1/2"	240 - 300
2"	370 - 440
3"	560 - 600

Material

The last thing to consider when choosing a binder is the material it's made from.  On the market today, manufacturers make binders from all sorts of materials to satisfy different needs and tastes from consumers.  There are binders made from cardboard, plastics like vinyl or polypropylene, metals, and even from fabrics. 

Most binders are made with a combination of some plastic like vinyl, and some cardboard.  Usually the cover of the binder is a cardboard cover with PVC plastic, while the rest is made from similar plastic. These are durable and will last you for a long time.  You can use them in the office, at home, or at school and they will be just fine.  They usually come in different solid colors like black, red, yellow or blue.

The binder's material becomes very important if you are planning to archive your documents for a long period of time.  The binder must be archival safe and even more durable than typical binders.  Therefore in contrast to typical vinyl binders, Keepfiling binders are all made from polypropylene - a type of archival safe material that is strong and rigid.  Instead of using a cardboard cover with PVC plastic, Keepfiling binder covers are made with 3 layers of polypropylene that is sandwiched together through a heating process. 

If you're looking for something more fancy like a presentation binder with more colors or patterns then maybe something of a cardboard binder is more suitable.  They are usually thinner and come with fancy designs.  Other materials like metals or fabrics are good as well for people who want something more stylish and will use them for things like portfolios or scrapbooks.
 
We hope with this information, next time when you're walking down the binder aisle at an office store or shopping online with us, that you will know what you're looking for and will spend your money on the right binder instead of getting the cheapest or more expensive binders that won't last you very long or is not suitable to your needs.