Finding the right office products can be a pain these days with so much to choose from. Today’s online office supplies store typically has over 25,000 items in their product assortment and finding the right product for your needs is sometimes time consuming. Legal pads are one of those office supply items with many different varieties that makes picking the right pad a real pain. Here are some hints and clear explanations of the key things to look for when trying to find the right legal pad for your needs.
Legal pads were invented in the late 1800’s, some believe by the original American Pad & Paper Company out of Holyoke, MA. Many think of legal pads as “yellow pads”, and the name itself - legal pad - has different meanings to people. The term “legal” typically means something that is 8-1/2 x 14” in size, and a size that is preferred by many in the legal profession. However, the office product called legal pads is actually purchased more today in standard letter size, which is 8-1/2 x 11-3/4” than the old 14” yellow pad.
The key things to determine when looking for legal pads when shopping for office supplies are size, color paper weight, ruling and backing. Many people also look for green office supplies whenever possible, and there are many options out there for legal pads that contain recycled material. We’ll take a quick look at each attribute.
Size is easy with three options. You either like the best selling letter size 8-1/2 x 11-3/4, the larger legal size which is 8-1/2 x 14, or some prefer the more compact personal junior size which is 5 x 8.
Color used to be an easy choice too with three options - canary (yellow pads), white, or green tint. However, more is better these days when it comes to selection, so office supply stores like Office Depot, www.ZumaOffice.com, or WB Mason carry a bunch more choices in legal pad colors. Ivory, blue, orchid, rose and buff are only some of the color choices out there today. It’s very similar with file folders, hanging folders and Post-It Notes. Color is important to people, and so the alternatives are endless. Even classification folders for attorneys are now in fashion colors.
After size and color, is paper weight. Standard legal pads are made with 15 to 16 lb. paper and that’s what 90% of the legal pads on the market are today. In fact, many of the price fighter brands like Universal or Office Advantage will have 15 lb. paper to offer even lower prices. For those who like their paper a premium quality, there is the 20 lb. paper option, and name brands like Ampad and Tops have options with this thicker paper which doesn’t bleed through.
Next is ruling which is actually why these product are called legal pads in the first place, regardless of size. That’s right, junior size, letter size and legal size pads are all called legal pads because they are legal ruled. That ruling is a standard wide rule you are used to using on filler paper from school, but has a “legal ruling” red line that goes down the page vertically on the left side of the paper that keeps your lines straight and in order while writing.
Finally you need to select what backing you want on the pad, and your done. Most standard pads today have a 28 pt. chipboard back which has staples applied to the paper on the pad. These do a decent job for writing support, but many prefer something thicker and go for the 40 pt. back pads like a line from Ampad called Evidence pads. Ampad has even thicker backs than that with Gold Fibre brand pads having a 60 pt. back, and Dual Pads having a double thick back and even double the sheets.
So what does this office products expert like the best? Most the time I like to save money so I just use the everyday low priced brand of office products. However, when I’m writing a letter, or writing longhand copy on paper instead of typing on a computer keyboard, I really like the quality and feel of the old Gold Fibre pads from Ampad. They have watermarked smooth finish paper, 60 pt. chipboard backs, and a leatherlike header tape for extra durability.
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