No matter the office setting, there are a few essential items that you'll always find ' paper, pens, rubber bands, paper clips, and staplers. Although simple and straight forward to use, staplers play an important role in maintaining organization. Whether you're compiling important files at work, bundling coupons at a retail store, or consolidating research at a university, a stapler is always within arm's reach.
What Is a Stapler?
A stapler is a mechanical device used for joining papers together. The fastener, called a staple, is a 2-pronged shape that's usually made of metal. When pressure is applied to the stapler, it drives the staple through a stack of paper, which folds the prongs down to create a firm binding. Staplers come in two distinct power types: manual and electric. The chart below will help you determine which type of stapler is best for you.
Power Type | Pros | Cons | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
| $ | |
|
| $$ |
Parts of a Stapler
Pin: The pin allows the handle to swing up and down to load staples.
Magazine: The piece that holds the staples and pusher.
Staples: The fasteners used to join papers together.
Pusher: A piece of metal that adjusts to accommodate strips of staples. This keeps the staples loaded in the magazine and ready to be inserted by the hammer.
Hammer: The part that drives a staple into a stack of papers.
Crimp Area and Anvil: When the staple is forced through the paper, these two parts are what bend the staple into the secure shape that keeps the papers securely joined.
Throat: The section you slide a stack of papers into. The deeper the throat, the further into the stack you can staple.
Base: A sturdy bottom that most often has non-skid properties.
Which Style of Stapler Is Right for Me?
At this point, you may already know which type of stapler (manual or electric) that you want, but did you know they come in different styles? Think about your intended application and check out the chart below for a breakdown.
Style | Description | Usage |
|---|---|---|
Most universally recognized style of stapler. A popular accessory for any office or cubicle, this style is usually placed on a work surface or tabletop and the operator feeds paper into it. |
| |
 | A hand held stapler is picked up from a work surface and used in hand. They most often feature a soft-grip handle for comfortable use. One of the most common types of manual stapler. |
|
Typically staples through 100+ sheets at a time. This style also includes stapling pliers and guns, which are frequently used for industrial applications. |
| |
Features an extra-long throat that's perfect for large binding projects. |
| |
Small, compact size that's perfect for students or traveling consultants. |
| |
Typically smaller in size, an upright stapler stands vertically on a surface for convenient storage. |
|
Features of a Stapler
Now that you've familiarized yourself with the many different styles of staplers out there, you can begin exploring the various features that makes each stapler stand out from their competition.
Ergonomic and Reduced Effort
Our selection of ergonomic and reduced effort staplers have soft-grip or light-touch handles. This allows you to eject staples with a quick touch.
Jam-Free and Power Assist
With a jam-free or power assist stapler, you can staple hundreds of documents quickly.
Tacking
Great for schools and daycares, tacking staplers feature handles that open a full 180 degrees.
What Is a Staple?
Staples are the actual fasteners that hold documents together. They come in several sizes and shapes, but the general anatomy remains the same. When a stapler pushes a staple through a stack of papers, the teeth puncture the paper, and the legs fold behind the crown to secure the items in place.
Did you know that staples are sized by leg length? Certain staplers require specifically-sized staples for their application. This chart gives an overview of the most common-sized staples.
Leg Length | Attributes |
|---|---|
1/4" |
|
5/16" |
|
3/8" |
|
1/2" |
|
5/8" |
|
3/4" |
|
15/16" |
|
Styles of Staples
Half strip, full strip, and cartridge staples are some of the most popular styles of staples. As long as the staple size matches your compatible stapler, purchasing a half or full strip length is completely up to you. Cartridge staples are a little more exclusive in terms of usage, as they're designed for electric or heavy duty staplers only.
 |  |  |
|
|
|
How to Fix a Jammed Stapler
It's inevitable: at some point, your stapler is going to jam. But never fear, our experts have discovered two easy methods for unjamming a stapler. All you need is a paper clip!
Method 1: If a stray staple is preventing the handle from detaching from the magazine, insert the paper clip between the two sections and slide it around until the jam is loose.Method 2: If a staple is stuck between the hammer and the magazine, use the paper clip to fish out the staple.
Types of Staple Removers
Blade Type
A blade staple remover features a retractable blade that extracts staples when you hook its metal tip beneath a staple and pull.
Wand Type
A wand remover features an ergonomic grip, allowing you to pull staples out with one motion
Jaw Type
A jaw type staple remover features durable steel jaws to grab staples and pry them out.
Related Resources
February 2025 WebstaurantStore Coupon Code
February is here and we're offering great deals all month long! This month, our discounted fruit purees and sugar make it easy to create sweet treats for Valentine's day, while our discounted supplies and equipment are a great way to ready yourself to host a Big Game event. Take a look at our selection of sale items below and don't forget to enter the code HEARTS25 at checkout to enjoy savings of up to 20%! We're also excited to introduce the new Webstaurant Rewards® Visa Business Card ! Sign up for a new card today and start earning rewards on every WebstaurantStore purchase. Discover the latest discounts on consumable food and beverage items with February's monthly coupon code. From wing sauces for the Big Game to flavoring sauces for Val
Types of Table Tops and Bases
When it comes to furnishing your commercial space, choosing the right table tops and bases is essential. Not only do these components contribute to the overall aesthetics of your establishment, but they also play a crucial role in ensuring the durability and functionality of your tables. Discover the wide variety of table top and base options available, allowing you to make an informed decision when designing your commercial space. Shop All Table Tops Use the following links to Iearn the different types of table tops and bases: Table Top Materials Table Top Shapes Seating Capacity Guide Table Base Heights Table Base Components Table Base Types Table Base Space Considerations Special Features for Table Bases Table Tops and Bases Compatibilit
How to Clean a Whiteboard
Whiteboards are an excellent communication tool, but over time they can become messy with permanent marks. Accidental use of permanent markers and pens leaves notes behind that can't be wiped away. Removing dry-erase or wet erase marker right away is easy enough, but if the notes are left on the board too long, even these markers will leave stains. Most whiteboards will come with a felt eraser you can use for cleaning, but it doesn't always do the trick. If your whiteboard has collected stains and marks from frequent use, check out these simple ways to keep it looking like new. Shop All Whiteboards How to Clean a Whiteboard Video Watch the video below for a step-by-step walkthrough of how to clean a whiteboard: How to Clean Dry Erase Boards
- Topics 1439
- Industrial 55
- Troubleshooting Guides 26
- Restaurant Management 130
- Bar Management 64
- Catering Tips 38
- Bakery Management 44
- Food Trucks & Concessions 48
- Advertising & Marketing 39
- Eco-Friendly Tips 12
- Facility Layout & Design 44
- Coffee Shop Tips 29
- Installation & Maintenance 58
- Janitorial & Pest Control 31
- Safety & Sanitation 100
- Startup Tips 111
- Menu Design 11
- Kitchen & Cooking Tips 90
- Hospitality Management 23
- Pizza & Sandwich Shop Tips 34
- Smallwares 37
- Food Prep 97
- Tabletop Items 18
- Disposables 24
- Calculators & Tools 6
- Consumables 56
- Warewashing & Laundry 19
- Cooking Equipment 100
- Food Storage & Refrigeration 52
- Beverage Equipment 37
- Office Supplies 6
Join Our Mailing List
Receive coupon codes and more right to your inbox.
