Unless your office is committed to using
pre punched paper for use in binders, you're going to need a good
three-hole punch. Here are the things you need to consider when
selecting yours....
Unless your office is committed to using
pre-punched paper for use in binders, you're going to need a good
three-hole punch. Here are the things you need to consider when
selecting yours....
Punching capacity. The most important thing
to look for when selecting a three-hole punch is a sufficient punching
capacity. This refers to how many sheets of paper the device can handle
at a time. There are some units that can only work with a few sheets at
once while others can handle dozens. (If you want to process hundreds of
sheets at once, you should consider getting a paper drill.) Basically,
get a device that can punch as many sheets as possible, so long as you
can afford it. There are few things more frustrating that trying to work
with a lot of sheets and not being able to.
Manual versus electric.
As you probably already know, there are both manual and electric
three-hole punches. The electric ones tend to be more expensive but they
typically can process many more sheets at a time than their manual
counterparts. However, you will find that electric punches' parts aren't
as durable as they could be which can definitely be problematic.
Meanwhile, manual punches are often incredibly durable and are pretty
affordable even as they offer lower punching capacities. Choose a device
that fits your needs and your budget.
Adjustable punching heads.
One feature that's incredibly popular when it comes to three-hole
punches is a set of adjustable punching heads. If you can adjust the
position of the heads, you can work with different sizes of paper and
even produce different hole patterns. For example, you could do a
two-hole pattern so you can prepare your documents for storage in file
folders or half-letter size binders. Adjustable heads are really
convenient and will increase the functionality of which ever device you
choose.
Replaceable dies. Unless
you're planning on replacing your three-hole punch in the somewhat near
future, you should get one that has replaceable dies. This is especially
true if you anticipate punching on a frequent basis. The more paper you
process, the more worn the dies will become. If you can replace them,
you'll end up saving yourself money in the end.
Durable construction.
A three-hole punch is definitely an investment, so make sure you choose
one that's in it for the long haul. The best punches contain metal
parts and, as discussed above, replaceable dies so you can get years of
use out of your new device. Punches made out of plastic should be
avoided if possible since they won't last very long and they may not
always produce cleanly punched holes. So make sure you check out the
punch's construction before purchasing it.
Those are the things that you need to take into consideration
when deciding on which three-hole punch will be best for your workplace.
Start by checking out the device's punching capacity and then consider
whether it has everything you need. If you do so, selecting the right
three-hole punch will be quick and painless.
Jeff McRitchie is the Director of Marketing for MyBinding.com.
He regularly writes articles, reviews, and blog posts on topics related
to book binding, laminating, paper shredding, and office equipment.
More than 2,500 of his articles have been published in thousands of
locations on the Internet. If you're looking for information about binding equipment his articles are a great place to start.
