How to Choose the Right 3-Ring Binders

We’ve all used 3-ring binders since high school, but few of us would be able to say what is the best size and type of binder for a 200-page client presentation – or even know that there is an ideal size and type of binder for different purposes. That will all change after you read this post, because then you’ll be a binder expert.

The Different Types of Binders

Different binders have different cover styles, different ring shapes (round, d-ring and slanted d-ring) and different ring sizes. The cover style, ring shape and ring size that’s right for you very much depends on the purpose you have for the binder.

Sheets & Pages

Before we get into the roles binders can play in your business, it’s important to understand the difference between pages and sheets. The size of the binder you choose depends on how many sheets you need to put into the binder.  One sheet of paper has two pages of content, one of the front of the sheet and one on the back. It’s like in a novel where you talk about what page number you’re on, but there are actually two page numbers on every sheet of paper in the book. To learn more about what size of binder you need for different numbers of sheets, visit our website to see a sizing chart, or download a printable binder size chart here.

Archival Documents

You can use 3-ring binders to organize and store historical documents, old materials that you might need for reference or any other document that you need quick access to. Considering they won’t be used often, and you only need labelling enough to identify the contents of the binder on the spine, you can generally use the lowest cost round-ring binders with a ring size large enough to hold all the sheets you want to keep in the binder.

Reference Documents

If you put together reports, user manuals or other reference documents, you need a binder that’s a more durable and you’ll probably need a higher sheet capacity. You may also want the ability to insert a custom-printed labels into overlay pockets on the front cover and spine to give the binder a professional look. Slant d-ring binders have the highest sheet capacity for different ring sizes and they can stand up to the regular use they reference documents go through.

Presentations

Whether you’re doing a financial review for the board, or pitching a product to a client, a binder is a great way to present the document in a professional way. In addition to those on the cover and spine, d-ring and slant d-ring binders can also have overlay pockets on the back cover and inside the front and back covers to give you lots of options for using your own custom graphics to help set your presentation apart from the rest. Southwest Bindings offers a wide range or round ring, d-ring and slant d-ring binders for any 3-ring binder requirement you have. Even better, not only can you customize your binders with page inserts on the covers, but we can completely customize your binder with your branding and message.