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What type of stapler do you need?
Desktop stapler
Ideal for: Home, school, or office use. Typically used at individual workstations for low–volume paper–fastening jobs.
Key features:
- Sheet capacity ranges between 15 and 60, with 20 sheets being the most common capacity.
- A spring–loaded inner channel will help prevent jams.
- A rubber or ergonomic handgrip will provide maximum comfort when stapling.
- Some models come with a staple reload indicator and/or an attached staple remover.
- Some staplers open flat for tacking documents up on a bulletin board, which increases the stapler’s versatility.
Tip: To save space and for easy access, look for a model that stands vertically, rather than lying horizontally on the desk.
Heavy-duty stapler
Ideal for: High–volume stapling in schools and offices. Easily staple thick packets of paper. Typically offers three times the capacity of a standard desktop stapler.
Key features:
- Sheet capacity ranges between 60 and 250.
- Throat depth ranges from 1/2" to 16". For maximum versatility, look for a model with adjustable throat depth.
- Many models offer a long handle, which provides extra leverage and makes stapling easier and faster. Extended base and/or suction cup rubber feet offer added stability.
- Some heavy–duty staplers offer an anti–jam mechanism.
- Small enough to fit on a desktop.
- Most models are manual and require heavy–duty staples.
Tip: To stack piles of documents neatly, look for a model that completely closes and flattens staples.
Electric stapler
Ideal for: High–volume stapling in schools and offices, as well as repetitive tasks that need to be completed quickly.
Key features:
- Sheet capacity ranges between 12 and 80.
- Throat depth ranges from 1/2" to 3". For maximum versatility, look for a model with adjustable throat depth.
- Some models use standard staples, with a maximum staple load of 210. Other models use a staple cartridge. Each cartridge typically has 5,000 staples. A larger staple capacity means refilling less frequently.
- Small enough to fit on a desktop.
- Some electric staplers offer an anti–jam mechanism.
- Powered by an AC cord, batteries, or both.
Stapler accessories
Ideal for: Strip staples are used with desktop, heavy–duty, and select electric models. Some electric models use a staple cartridge.
Key features:
- Sheet capacity for standard staples is generally 20. Heavy–duty staples are generally longer and have a higher sheet capacity. Each box typically comes with 5,000 staples, in strips of 210. If you have a half–strip stapler, you’ll need to break strips in half before loading staples into the stapler.
- Some electric staplers use a staple cartridge, which comes with 5,000 or 10,000 staples.
- A spoon shaped staple remover gently lifts the staple out of the paper, preventing unnecessary tearing.
