How do staples work?

Staples are used to join together multiple pieces of paper. Staples are usually made of metal and have a two-pronged U-shape.

The staple is used with a stapler device, which applies pressure to force the two prongs of the staple through the stack of paper and then fold the prongs (the “legs” of the “U”) down so that the pages are secured. Staples come in different sizes.

Popular brands of staples include:

Swingline staples

Bostitch staples

How do I use staples?

To use staples, it’s necessary to have a stapler. The staples are loaded into the stapler, and then pressure is applied manually to push the staples through the paper.

To load staples into a traditional stapler, lift the handle on the top and pull it back. Load the staples into the magazine in front of the spring and pusher. Then, close the handle so that it meets the hammer, the part of the stapler that drives the staples into the paper.

Manual staplers can either be desktop, requiring a surface to sit on, or handheld, requiring the user to squeeze together two handles to staple papers.

There are also electric staplers, which don’t require manual pressure. However, they need a power source to operate.

What size staples do I need?

The standard staple size is 1/4 inch. However, people who need to join bigger stacks of paper can get larger staples, including 1/2 inch. Other staple sizes include 5/8 inch and 3/8 inch. The larger the staple, the more sheets of paper it can usually hold.

3/8 staples

1/4-inch staples

1/2-inch staples

What is better: paper clips or staples?

Paper clips and staples can both be used to hold together multiple sheets of paper. However, paper clips are less secure and can easily be removed, while staples are more permanent.

People who want a lasting way to secure pages together should prioritize staples over paper clips.