What does it mean when someone asks you, “what is the Sheet Size of your binder?” They are asking you for the size of the sheet that is being inserted onto the rings of your binder.

It is important to understand the Binder Sheet Size to be sure you order a binder that will correctly fit your printed sheets and index tabs.

The Sheet Size of a binder refers to the largest sheet of paper that will be inserted onto the rings of the binder and does NOT refer to the actual overall size of the binder.

The binder itself must be larger than the sheets going inside so that the sheets will not hang out past the covers on the top and open side of the binder when it is closed.

The standard sheet of paper is 11” x 8.5” – however, most three-ring binders have index tab dividers inserted in addition to printed copy sheets. If this is the case for your project, you would be looking for a Binder that holds 11” x 8.5” sheets plus ½” tab allowance. The ½” tab allowance refers to that extra ½” wide index tab that extends past the 11” x 8.5” sheet of paper.

The next common sheet of paper is the half sheet or 8.5” x 5.5” sheet – again, most standard binders that are made to hold 8.5”x 5.5” sheets will also have the ½” tab allowance built in. 

If you have a special sheet size other than the 11” x 8.5” or 8.5” x 5.5”, or 9.5” x 6”, you can have a binder custom made to hold your sheet size but you may have to work with your Sales Representative to discuss the ring metal that will best hold your special sheet size.

Have you asked your customer what Sheet SIze solution will fit best for their binder?