A three-hole punch is a device that punches holes in paper documents for use in three-ring binders. It is calibrated to provide three holes within the standard 1 inch margin and can be converted to a two-hole punch. Adhesive rings may be needed for reinforcement.
A three-hole punch is a spring-loaded device that mechanically punches holes in paper documents. These holes line up perfectly with the corresponding loops on a three-hole binder. It’s all about organization and cleanliness, my friends.
While it only performs one vital office function, this function would be ten times more difficult without it. Standard ring binders for permanent document storage or organized presentations have three rings that are opened to receive pages. A three-hole punch can hold multiple sheets of paper at a time, and each receives the same precisely placed holes. Trying to do the same task with a portable drilling rig would be time consuming and frustrating.
There is a practical reason for the standard 1 inch (2.54 cm) margin on most office documents. A three-hole punch is calibrated to provide three holes within that margin space, allowing text to be read without damage. Some models can adjust the hole placement vertically, but rarely horizontally. This prevents vital text from being accidentally punctured. If a document has no margins, you can use a clear plastic case with three holes.
Documents that have been processed with a three-hole punch may need to be backed up with adhesive paper rings before inserting into the binder. Holes in the paper can create small tears over time, causing unprotected pages to break and fall out of the binder. Office supply stores sell sheets of paper grommet. After punching individual pages, office workers often spend extra time applying these adhesive rings around the holes for extra reinforcement.
Some three-hole punch models can be converted to accommodate a two-hole binding system. The punch itself can contain a total of five punching elements: three permanently set for three-hole binders and two set for two-hole binders. A mechanical switch is used to select the desired configuration. Other models have slide punches and a built-in ruler so holes can be drilled anywhere along the vertical track.
If nothing else, scraps of paper gathered in the bottom of a hole puncher make great office party confetti.
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