Staplers, Staple Cartridges and Punches

Staple size, cartridges and the machine that takes them

Standard desktop staplers use the common chisel-point staple with a 1/4 inch leg, while heavy-duty models take longer legs for thicker stacks. Copier finishers use boxed cartridges that only fit specific machines, so match the cartridge to the copier model, not just the brand. Check sheet capacity before buying a stapler: the rating assumes ordinary office paper, and pushing past it jams the mechanism and bends the staple.

A punch must match the hole pattern of the binder

Punches are made for a hole pattern. A three-hole punch matches standard three-ring binders in letter format, a two-hole punch suits fastener files and clipboards, and some adjustable models handle both. Spacing is not interchangeable between regions, so check the punch against your binder. Capacity ranges from a dozen or so sheets for a desktop punch to many more for a heavy-duty one, and a chip tray makes cleanup easier.

Questions about Staplers, Staple Cartridges and Punches

Which staple size fits my stapler?

Match the size printed on the stapler or in its manual. Standard desktop models take the common size with a 1/4 inch leg, heavy-duty ones take a longer or thicker staple, and mini staplers use smaller refills of their own.

How many sheets can one staple hold?

A desktop stapler is rated for a number of sheets of standard office paper, and the rating is a maximum rather than a target. Stay under it, use a longer staple for thicker stacks, and switch to a heavy-duty stapler beyond the limit.

Why will my hole punch not match my binder?

Hole spacing differs by system: US three-ring binders use holes about 4 1/4 inches apart, while two-hole files use about 2 3/4 inches. European four-hole systems use a different spacing again, so check the punch's stated pattern.