If your company uses a lot of three ring binders then chances are you need a high quality three hole punch. However, there are a lot of different 3-hole punches available on the market. Every punch has its own unique set of features and its strengths and weaknesses. This article is designed to help you understand the questions you need to ask and the features you need to consider when choosing a three hole punch. Here are five things…

1. The first thing you will need to decide when choosing a three hole punch is whether you want a manual punch or an electric one. Manual punches are usually less expensive and often are built with higher quality parts. However, electric punches are easier to use and usually faster than manual punches. Ultimately, your organization will need to decide which option best fits your needs and your budget.

2. The second thing you need to decide when choosing a three hole punch is the punching capacity that you require. Small manual desktop punches are designed to punch just a few sheets at a time. Other larger punches can punch large volumes of paper at once. Depending on how much punching you need to do, you will need to decide how many pages you will need to punch per lift.

3. When choosing a three-hole punch, it is also important to decide whether you will need adjustable punching heads. Some punches will allow you to produce a three hole pattern as well as a two hole pattern. If you are punching documents with two holes for filing you might need to look for this feature. Some punches also have the ability to move the placement of the holes for your punch. This can be a handy feature if you are planning on using non standard ring binders or need to use half letter size ring binders.

4. A fourth thing to consider when choosing a three-hole punch is construction. The best punches will be made of metal and will be heavy duty. Punches that are constructed out of plastic will often fall apart over time and will break. Look for a punch that is made of steel and that has heavy duty punching dies.

5. If your organization does a lot of punching it is important to look for punch that allows you to replace the dies if they become dull. Over time, punch heads will begin to lose their sharpness. If you can’t easily replace the heads you will end up needing to buy a new punch.

As you are looking at different options for 3-hole punches you should consider these five things. More than likely you will need to find a balance between these features and your budget. However, knowing what to look for will help you choose the punch that is best suited to your needs.