Archive & Storage

Folders and binders

If you're creating a filing system from scratch, careful planning is key. Developing a good infrastructure and future-proofing the system can be good ways to ensure that filing can be easily carried out for years to come.

File folders are a good place to start with your filing system, and they are made in both card and plastic, depending on your requirements. They generally have some sort of tab on the long edge, providing a suitable place for a label and you can choose from a variety of shades if you want to colour-code your filing system.

If you use filing cabinets or another system that relies on hanging files, you'll also want to get some suspension files – these have small hooks on the sides to hold them onto the rails in the cabinet or to the sides of filing boxes. They also incorporate tabs for labelling the contents.

Binders and box files

Lever arch folders and ring binders provide a way to keep a group of files together and in the right order. They also make it easy to transport a set of documents from one place to another, without the worry of losing a key page.

Similarly, box files can hold a large stack of pages, as well as a number of individual folders or even items like magazines or reports. These are generally a little larger than A4 size and work well for shelf-based filing systems.

Plastic pockets and other products

Various plastic pockets are ideal for protecting pages. They usually have pre-cut holes so it's easy to put them in ring binders, and while top-loading pockets are the most common type, other designs are available.

Dividers come in paper and plastic and are a great way for separating pages in a ring binder or folder. They are available in a variety of colours, making it easy to co-ordinate your filing system as appropriate. Plus, they usually include tabs for labels and pre-punched holes.

Presentation folders are generally used to make reports and other documents look professional, but they can also be handy for archive and storage purposes. Meanwhile, organisational folders include plenty of tabbed pockets for organising documents.

Archive boxes

If your filing cabinets are running out of room, archive boxes can be a great option for storing older documents that you're unlikely to use in the short term, but still need to hang on to.

These sturdy boxes can be stacked on top of each other, even when they are full of paper and they include space on the outside where you can write the contents – just in case you ever need to find something.