Office supply selection can be a tricky business because there are so many manufacturers creating new designs and colors each year, hoping to catch the eye of the consumer. Even something as simple as a clipboard can be found at almost any store and made with a variety of materials. A storage clipboard is a handy item to use in the home as well as the office or out on the road for those who work outside. Several factors should be considered before selecting a storage clipboard.
The first criteria is size. Storage clipboards are made to hold various forms and papers, so it is important to choose a clipboard of an appropriate size. Paper is usually purchased in letter size, which is 8.5 x 11 inches (21.6 x 27.9 cm) in the United States; or A4 size, which is 8.3 x 11.7 (21.1 x 29.7 cm) in countries using the metric system; and the United States legal size, which is 8.5 x 14 inches (21.6 x 35.6 cm). These are the sizes used to print forms on personal computers, but custom forms from a printer will range anywhere from half the size of letter sized paper to legal size. Decide which form or paper will be housed in the storage clipboard before making a selection.
The next criteria is the material used to make the storage clipboard. If it will be used and carried throughout the day more as a means to tote paper and supplies, plastic would be ideal as it is much lighter than other materials. If the storage clipboard will be used outside frequently and durability is a concern, there are many metal clipboards to choose from. Metal is also the best choice for carbon forms. Metal creates a hard surface for pens to contact and offers the pressure needed for the carbon to leave a legible imprint on the bottom copy.
Storage clipboards come in several styles. A lightweight plastic clipboard with one open space for storing papers and pens is fine for most home or school uses, but for those using a storage clipboard on the job to manage forms, there are more sophisticated boards to select from. The big question for this type of clipboard is how many forms will used throughout the day? Metal sectioned clipboards are the popular choice for those working with forms all day. Count the number of forms, then purchase a clipboard that will allow each form to be housed in its own section. This keeps forms organized and lessens the likelihood of forms finding a spot below the form in use, thereby activating the carbon in all the forms and ruining them for future use.