It is fun to browse through office supply stores looking for new ways to organize the many papers and files in my life. It’s even better when someone shows up on my doorstep to ask me to try free products! That is how I came to use the Avery High-Capacity Corner Lock Poly Document Sleeve.


Description

This is a unique looking folder/file/pocket. For the sake of this review, I’ll refer to it as a folder. It is letter-size, measuring 9" wide x 11 3/8" high x 1/4" deep. The folder is made from a durable non-stick poly material that resembles frosted plastic. It is designed to hold up to 50 pages.

The folder is sealed on two sides: the left side and the bottom. The right side and top of the folder are open. An innovative feature of this folder is the “corner lock” on the upper right corner. There is a pie-shaped tab of poly material attached to the back piece of the folder. The front piece of folder is designed to tuck under this pie-shaped tab. This is what keeps the folder closed or “locked”.

The back poly piece along the top and right edge also extends a 1/4" beyond the top front piece. The folder is flexible, and the poly material has a slight (almost unnoticeable) texture to it. In the lower corner on the back of the folder is embossed the Avery Dennison logo.

If you prefer a color other than clear, these folders come in a few other colors: blue, green, purple.


My Experiences

I love it when office supply representatives visit me at work. They sometimes bring freebies, and I admit, that I’m just like child with a new birthday gift. I enjoy trying new products!

There is no file tab for a label on this folder. It is not meant to sit in a file cabinet, neatly labeled.

The manufacturer advertises this poly document sleeve as a way to store and transport active files. I did not find this folder a practical way to store or transport files. When I am actively using files, I don’t want to have to tuck them beneath a folder’s corner tab and then fold the top of the folder into place. I want instant access, as I have when using a regular file folder. A positive feature is that if you tend to drop things, then the corner tab will keep the papers in this folder from falling out.

This folder is designed to hold a large number of papers. I have stored up to 55 sheets of documents printed on 20-pound copy paper in it. Note that if the pages have a staple in them, you will want the staple on the left side of the page. I once tried putting a series of documents in this folder, each with a staple in the left corner ... except that I put them in the folder backwards so that the staples were under the corner lock tab. It was awkward inserting and removing the stapled corners from beneath the tab.

A great feature is that ink doesn’t transfer from the papers to the folder. I dislike it when print or ink comes off a page onto something, and it is usually either difficult or impossible to remove from an object. Thankfully I have not had a problem with ink transfer on this folder.

Since this folder is also transparent, I can view the top page so that I know the contents of each folder. One note about the poly material ... even though it is durable and constructed from a poly material, the folders will flaw. The one I have in front me as I write this review has two distinct mars on the front. I don’t know what caused these small imperfections, but they are there.

So you may be asking: If you don’t use these Avery Corner Lock Document Sleeves for transporting files, what do you use them for. Great question!

I have found these folders a good way to keep my lists in order and in one place. For instance, I have a series of name and address lists (each one stapled together) that used to stand propped in a messy vertical file. Now those lists are neatly tucked away in one of these poly folders. Since the lists are not accessed every day, this is a great way to store them. They are at my fingertips, protected in the folder, and I can at a glance see what the transparent folder contains.

Note that even though these poly sleeves are water resistant, they are not waterproof. Two of the folder sides are open to the elements ... or to people who visit your desk and spill coffee or water as they are chatting.


Purchasing

These folders come in a 24-pack that retails for $20.56, or a 6-pack for $5.14. Either way you purchase them, the cost averages out to 86-cents each. I have seen these online at various office supply sites: W.B. Mason, OfficeMax, Office Depot.


Summary

Even though I don’t use these Avery Corner Lock Document Sleeves for transporting papers, they do come in handy for storing my various lists. Each folder can contain about 50 pages, and I can sort the lists by category using different Corner Lock Sleeves. I am rating this item as average because of its limited use, but it is an innovative office product that you may find just right for you.

I hope you have found this review useful.

Enjoy the day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com


Please read my other reviews:

Smead Clear Poly Envelopes for 3-Ring Binders

Smead Slash File Jacket Pocket Folder

Duraclip Clear Vinyl Report Cover

Pendaflex Hanging File Folders with InfoPocket

Post-It "Sign Here" Flags

Post-It Tape Flags 1" x 1 3/4"

Post-It Tape Flags in Portable Dispenser

Post-It Notes 3" x 3"

Post-It Translucent Pop-up Note Dispenser

Sharpie Twin-Tip Permanent Marker

Sharpie Metallic Silver Marker

Swingline Electric 3-Hole Paper Punch


Copyright 2006 Dawn L. Stewart

Recommended: Yes