Everything You Need to Know About Standard Folders Sizes
Folders! You’ve got to love them. They help organize your files and make holding and transporting them easier and more secure. You can even add creative designs on the covers, and you get excellent promotional materials you can hand to clients.
Most of these helpful features come from the folder sizes you can choose from. Many businesses use uniform folder sizes for easier storage and transport while also keeping in mind that they need to be larger than the document files so they can store and protect them better. In this article, you’ll see the standard folder sizes and their uses.
Standard Folder Sizes and Measurements
When picking out the types of folders for your business, you’ll need to understand their standard sizes and how they are commonly used. Most people measure their folders using closed dimensions, which is the size when the folders are closed. There’s also the open dimension size, which measures the folder when they’re open; very helpful when you are designing an artwork for a presentation folder.
Going back to the closed dimensions, there are three common folder sizes that many businesses use for uniformity, ease of carry, and more organized file storage:
- 9” x 12” Folders – These folders are often used to hold 8.5” x 11” US letter size documents like short memos and school documents. This folder size can also hold smaller marketing materials like flyers and business cards.
- 9.5” x 14.5” Folders – This folder is known as a “legal folder” and its larger size is best used for US legal size documents. Contracts, Memorandum of Agreements, Land Titles, and other important documents measuring 8.5” x 14” are safely stored in these durable folders. This folder size is also often the thickest since they are used to protect these important files and are made to be reused.
- 6” x 9” Folders – These are also known as “presentation folders”, used for smaller marketing materials like flyers, business cards, testimonials, and pamphlets. While much smaller, they are easier to organize and can be handed out to people during trade shows, business meetings, and conventions.
Aside from the folder size, many also choose folders based on their thickness and durability. Folder thickness is measured by cardstock and choosing the right one could help point which folders you can use for each document.
The 14 pt. Cardstock folders are the standard when it comes to thickness. These are a bit more flexible and fold more naturally than a thicker variant. The thinner cardstock also means its card holders and pockets won’t affect the way it folds and stores files.
The 16 pt. Cardstock folders are thicker, sturdier, and look more professional. This thickness is also often seen in 9.5” x 14.5” folders that hold legal documents. This less-flexible variant is also able to protect the files better. This also makes them more reusable and can be handy for travels.
Looking Back at Folder Sizes
Folders are quite important file organizers due to their design and consistent sizes. They are made to protect important documents while also designed to be easily carried. Choosing your folder sizes is a very important part when ordering custom folders either for presentations, as media kits to be handed out, or for personal use. Design your folders according to their use and you’ll easily find out which folder size fits your need. And when you do decide to order, UPrinting is the go-to option for ordering custom folders.
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