Buying office supplies online is so convenient, and can save you time and money. However, finding the exact office product right for your needs can be difficult, especially when looking for products with thousands of choices. View binders and ring binders for the office are perfect examples. There are different styles, sizes, colors, etc. so sorting through the mass of items gets confusing. Read on for helpful tips to help you become an expert Binder Finder.

It’s unbelievable that searching on many office supply websites for binders will bring up 1700-1800 products, so the first thing to do is pare them down. There’s really only 3 primary sizes for binders, standard letter, 14 inch legal size binders, and 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 small size binders. 95% of the time you’ll need a standard letter size binder. Next, sort by the color of binder you need and the possible product choices will shrink considerably.

There are two distinct types of binders. View binders which have clear overlays covering the vinyl of the binder so you can insert cover pages into your binder or spine, and regular “non-view” binders which have no overlay covering. View binders outsell regular binders 5 to 1, and are actually less expensive many times, so most people go with view binders. Next, you’ll need to determine the ring capacity for your binder. Ring capacities vary from 1/2″ all the way up to 5 inch binders, and the higher the ring size, the more sheets of paper a binder holds. The most popular sizes are 1 inch and 2 inch binders, but more and more people have large filing needs, so 3 inch binders, 4 inch binders and 5 inch binders which can hold as many as 1050 sheets are growing in popularity.

The last feature to sort by before getting to brand and price is the ring “style”. Not long ago, most all binders were either round ring, the rings used in typical school binders, and D ring binders designed more for office needs. Today there are as many as six different ring styles all with various price points. The premium priced ring style is EZD ring binders which have “easy open” one touch rings, and the D shape style which holds more paper and allows the sheets to turn easier. Next are slant rings, then gapless rings, standard d rings and then round rings from a price hierarchy standpoint. I recommend the D ring binder for a good combination of durability and value.

After sorting by size, color, ring capacity and then ring style, you should be down to only 10-15 choices – much more manageable than 1700! Now it’s about brand and price, which are somewhat tied together. The best known national brands for binders are Avery, Wilson Jones, Samsill and Cardinal, and all make quality binders at reasonable prices. However, I recommend Universal brand binders if you are value conscious as they make excellent quality binders at prices that are 25-35% less than the national brands.

Finally, the question I hear most often is where is the best place to buy binders online? My advice is to stay away from the office superstores who no longer have the best prices, and have huge corporate structures that create poor customer service. I buy office supplies online at smaller independent office products dealers, and look specifically for companies that do good work in the community as well as offering low prices and free shipping. There are even new office products companies out there that work with great charities and donate half their profits to worthy causes. I feel good buying from companies like that, and you will too. Enjoy today and happy hunting looking for that perfect binder!

Most people spend long hours each week in their office, making it very important to have the right style of furniture. While comfort is important, you really need to be more focused on the office furniture being ergonomically correct then on the color or material of it. You will feel much better at the end of the work day, and have more energy to complete your tasks with an ergonomically correct office chair. It will help improve your posture, resulting in less pain in your back and neck areas. It will also reduce the risk of office injuries and claims.

If you use a computer in your office on a regular basis, not having the right posture can lead to carpal tunnel in your wrists. This is the result of moving them in a particular repetitive motion throughout the day. Along with an ergonomically correct keyboard, you can prevent such injuries from happening. Many manufacturers of ergonomically correct office furniture offer a wide selection of office furniture products to choose from. This allows you to still get a great looking office but one that is designed for your body as well. It is a good idea to purchase ergonomically correct office furniture with the help of a qualified consultant. They will be able to identity what needs to be improved with your current working conditions.

You can purchase entire office furniture work stations including desks, chairs, computers, keyboards, and all the accessories that are ergonomically correct. You can save a great deal of money if you purchase a package deal than if you buy one or two pieces separately. Many people who use office furniture don’t realize that it has a negative effect on their posture, health, productivity, and even their mood. More employers are starting to recognize the importance of providing ergonomically correct office furniture. Not only do the employees get more work accomplished, they take fewer sick days.