Common Legal Folder Dimensions
When requesting custom folder sizes, it is usually in relation to using them for other purposes than what was originally intended and this includes legal folders. In fact, there are a great number of usage scenarios that have nothing to do with law, and you see them being used for school projects, parenting plans, business proposals and even in the event of a divorce or last will and testament. Each case, however, the intention is the same with people wanting to know what the standard legal folder sizes are.
Legal folders are typically 9" x 15" and the preferred depth is anywhere from 1/2" to 2" with the 1" depth being the most popular amongst law firms and other interested parties. The width of 9" allows for an 8 1/2" x 14" sheet of paper to fit inside of it comfortably with most of the foldovers on separate connectors such as the top or side. The most common legal folder sizes are for letter size and they fit the aforementioned standards.
The letter sized folder when on the other hand is used for the same types of documents , but they are smaller than your standard legal at 9" x 12". You can expect to find these at the same depth sizes as mentioned above, that is anywhere from 1/2" to 2".
Because a legal has to fit an 8 1/2" x 14", you will notice that not only is the letter sided folder much wider, but the height is substantially shorter than a legal which makes the comparison between the two quite distinctive. This is why you will find that there are different styles of the legal folder with the difference being whether the provision for paperwork is to fit in the length-wise or the width-wise.
Materials and Form of Legal Folders
The most commonly used materials for legal folders are manila, plastic, and specialty papers. Manilla is the familiar paper material often used, common in the folders you may see at the office supply store or in your law office files to separate documents. Manila has a somewhat flat surface, and is best when keeping track of paper documents alone, such as papers stored in chronological order or sorted by date, but you may have some difficulty reading handwritten notes across its surface. Plastic folders are another type you will find are commonly used for legal work. These folders tend to be made of a more durable plastic that can resist wear, pressure, and bending more than manila materials, thus they will last longer than your typical manila folder in a rough environment. Plastic folders tend to be heavier than manila folders as well. It is important to note that plastic folders are also more expensive than manila, so if the accounting department is tracking such expenses at the firm, plastic folders are usually eschewed in favor of less expensive manila. Plastic folders are also often clear, so this could serve as a negative factor as you may not always want the contents of the folder visible to all who see it. You will also find that manufacturers of legal folders will use stiff paper covers that can hold the paper inside and provide more protection for the documents within. These paper covers can range from lightweight to heavyweights, depending on the kind of work you are doing, and how much protection you require.
The Importance of Legal Folder Dimensions
Ensuring that they are using the right sized legal folders for the paper work they are handling is important both for safety and organization. Folders that are too small or of the wrong shape can tear and even break apart if held too tightly or packed too full. If the tear occurs while the folder is open, an important and sensitive document could fall out, causing one or more of the pages to be lost. This could lead to further hassle involving the recovery of a document or even having to recreate it from scratch.
Proper dimensionality can also help protect your documents when they are stored in a legal-sized file cabinet or legal-sized filing drawer. Legal files feature more height and additional depth compared to other sizes. When using smaller folders, document edges have a tendency to stick out. If the cover extends into the drawer or cabinet’s "vine" dimension, the edges and spine can be pulled and twisted by other items that are closer to the front than the folders. This can cause spines to become damaged; and eventually lead to pages being ripped or completely torn from the folder.
The more lengthwise or heightwise an object is, the greater the chance that it could become damaged, either by being pressed down onto itself or by sudden or unexpected bending. When it comes to traditional folders, those with a width greater than their height will always take up less space than folders that are longer than they are tall. Consequently, folders that have a height that exceeds their length will generally allow for more flexibility when it comes to filing and storage, letting you stack them vertically to save space.
Of course, it’s not just the folder that needs to be measured. The legal document itself should be the main factor taken into account when determining the breadth, thickness and depth of the folder. Legal files don’t always have to be big – but they are more likely to be thicker than other folders. This means that an improperly chosen folder won’t be able to comfortably hold that document. This could lead to an unseemly bulge or, worse yet, an inability to store the folder at all; leading to the need to either get more capable legal-size folders or cut, fold and re-file your documents, which could create additional problems if the documents are too damaged. So it pays to plan ahead by choosing folders with proper height, width and department to meet the size of your document.
In short, if you aren’t already using legal-sized file folders, now is the time to make the change. By using a folder that’s the right size for the document, you can ensure that your office will be able to sort and store it without risking damage or loss. And by having correctly positioned folders, you also make it easier to find what you’re looking for whenever you need it.
Custom Legal Folder Specifications
Legal folders can be further personalized by adding highlights, color-coded labels and embossing. One common method is to add color-coded tabs to each folder so files are easier to find and identify. If your company has an existing organization system using various colors, many legal files folders can be color coded to suit your specific needs. Some law firms even incorporate a color-coded system into their marketing strategies, adding stickers or color-coded tabs for specific practice areas on the end of the folder so when viewed from the side, clients can notice and identify the types of services offered.
Embossing is another option which can be added to legal folder products. This method makes use of hot-foil stamping and will create an impression on the folder that the information is actually visible in the folder product . When placed on the front cover of the folder, embossed personalizations can help identify the document inside while functioning as a marketing tool. Some law firms will imprint the name of the firm and the area of practice using an embossing device, which can be purchased for a relatively low cost or rented for short-run projects.
Several law firms have discovered that incorporating adjustable slash pockets to their legal files folders is another way to add further functionality while retaining the same dimensions. These slash pockets are completely customizable, allowing law firms to modify the pocket size, paper stock, or other specs depending on the nature of the project. An adjustable slash pocket can be glued or taped into the legal file folder and hold extra material, while still remaining accessible. Adding adjustable slash pockets to legal files folder can help law firms better organize and categorize files.
Which Legal Folder Dimension is Right for You
When selecting the appropriate legal folder for your short and long-term office filing needs, it’s important to consider a few factors. You’ll need to think about things like storage capacity, expansion features, and whether it will fit in your filing system. For example, standard reinforcements are typically 1/3 cut, ½ cut, or 2/5 cut, but you can often choose from other options as well, including prong fasteners, view tabs, perforated lines for hole punching, preprinted information, and color coding. What you select will greatly depend on the filing method you prefer to use.
Stapleless folders, for instance, typically have security stitching in lieu of staples, making them compatible with most filing systems . If you prefer to store legal files in a certain configuration – such as the "back facing against the spine" method – then you’ll also want to consider the type of reinforcement you require on that part of the folder.
You’ll also want to consider storage capacity, or the size of the accordion folds. Some folders have just a few folds while others can expand to hold lots of paper. A legal-size folder usually holds 6" of documents when fully expanded. If you have bulky files you know you’ll be storing a lot of documents in, then one with a higher storage capacity may be more suitable.
Ultimately, choosing the best folder for your legal files will come down to your personal preference.