What’s a 4-Hole Punch?

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A four-hole punch is an office tool used to punch holes in paper for binders. The distance between each hole is standardized by ISO 838. Four-hole punches are safer and more secure than two- or three-hole punches, and can go through up to 100 sheets at once. Some two-hole punches can also be used to make the correct four-hole punch.

A four-hole punch is an office tool used to punch four separate holes in paper so that it can be inserted into binders. The distance between each hole is governed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 838, so every four-hole punch must have the same distance between the holes. While this hole punch isn’t as common as two- or three-hole hole punches, the four-hole model is generally safer. Depending on the model and how it’s powered, this hole punch may be able to go through up to 100 sheets with just one hole punch. Some two-hole punches can be used to make the correct four-hole punch, a capability usually indicated by a particular symbol on the device.

ISO 838 is a standardization rule that tells hole punch manufacturers how far apart each hole should be. With a four-hole punch, the two center holes are meant to be in the middle of a sheet, while the top and bottom holes are each 3.14 inches (8 centimeters) away from the closest center hole. Two sizes are available, designed for 8.5 by 11.69 inches (21 by 29.7 centimeters) sheets and 5.8 by 11.69 inches (14.8 by 21 centimeters) sheets; both have common European size, but not common in America.

Four-hole punches are not as commonly used as other hole punches, such as two- or three-hole tools. However, a four-hole punched sheet has the advantage of being more secure. It’s usually more difficult for the paper to tear out of a binder, and it’s also more difficult to tear through due to the extra holes.

Punchers can have several power sources; the most common is manual, but there are also electric and motorized devices. On average, a common four-hole punch can go through up to 100 sheets at once. Manual punchers have the lowest single punch levels, handling between 10 and 40 sheets per punch, while electric punchers typically handle between 20 and 60 sheets per punch, and motorized punchers offer up to 100 sheets per punch, if not more. more.

While a four-hole punch is most commonly used to punch four holes in sheets of paper, some two-hole punches can also be used. Known as 888 punches, these two hole punches will have the numbers 888 stamped somewhere on them. They feature guides to show the operator exactly how to position the punch and where to make holes that conform to ISO 838 standardized measurements.




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