Vinyl Sheet Protectors

Now that I answered the question about what polypropylene sheet protectors is I get the obvious question what is vinyl or PVC as it is also named.
PVC stands for polyvinylchloride. It was very common used in the past for page protectors but as mentioned it is being used less and less. The reason to be is that vinyl contains a plasticizer that is added to the material to keep it soft. Unfortunately with time this softener is easily transferred from the sleeve to the surrounding environment this may be to what ever the page protector holds as photos, documents, maps, papers, etc. etc. but it will also transfer between the sheets of the sheet protector. This can easily been seen if you have a box standing around for a few years and suddenly the entire box of sheet protectors have attached to each other and often the are stiff and hard as sheets of glass perhaps being slightly yellow in color. They may even crack as glass if they are old enough.
For all of the above reason it can not be said often enough. Don't use vinyl sheet protectors for long term storage of documents, photos, well vertical any documents unless it is just for temp. use.

Polypropylene Sheet Protectors

Most sheet protectors are today made in polypropylene but it did not use to be like this. Back in time most sleeves and pages was made in vinyl (PVC) but it had the unfortunately consequence that the pages would stick to the documents after some time. Specially in warm weather as the plasticizer started to move from the plastic to the surrounding environment often being the photos, document or the occasional stamp or coin collection. This with damaging results when the documents was historical or of other significant value.

In the 80th polypropylene really started to enter the office product market and from there on the market has developed and today vinyl is used for fewer and fewer document protectors.

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Kind regards,

Ken - Polypropylene sheet protectors

5-1/2 x 8-1/2 sheet protectors

The traditional sheet protector is build around the letter size document however there are plenty of opportunities and reasons to file smaller sheets of papers in particular half a letter size document.
It comes easy in handy when preparing menu or recipe books, small photo album books also called "bragging books" among scrapbookers and pilots use them in there cockpit as an easy and handy no too big reference manual. The solution is the 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 sheet protectors.
The page itself is displayed in portrait format being 5.5 inch with and 8.5 inch high and open only at the top the 5-1/2 inch side. Most of the time mini sheet protectors are supplied with a white reinforcement strip at the left side and pre-punched with 3 holes to fit a standard 3- ring mini binder.

Ken - www.keepfiling.com

File Jackets verses Sheet Protectors - what to use ???

For a starter a File Jackets is a simple folded sheet of plastic welded at one side which leave the file jacket open at two sides for easy insert of documents. A sheet protector on the other hand is a folded sheet of plastic as well but comes with a hole line at the left side and a single opening at the top. Then being a top loading sheet protector.
File jackets are used to organize, protect and file everyday documents and papers.
They are mainly used in the office but also at schools, home or just were good organizing is needed. File jackets are perfect for protection of letters and documents especially when several documents are mailed together or if a business card needs to be attached. It has the advantage than no staple punching marks are left in the business card and there are also the chance that the receiver just do not bother to fight with the staples and just throw out the entire letter instead of keeping the business card for his or hers Rolodex or business card holders.

File jackets is just one of those great alternative to a traditional punch pockets especially when the documents is not going to be saved in a binder. It is simply faster easier and much handier to work with on the office desk compared to top loading sheet protectors. The only disadvantage is that they can not be inserted into binders as there are no pre-punched holes.

Ken - www.keepfiling.com