How to bind papers without staples or clips

no clips or staples

I learnt this trick from a Taiwanese program on smart tips and shortcuts for daily living. I think that was in 2005. It was such a fantastic tv show! Afterwhich I’ve spotted the same instructions posted at Instructables and Truveo. Well, for my personal use, I take 3 extra steps to complete the procedure which I’ll explain why further down.

Steps:

step 1
1. Align the papers. Here I’m using 5 sheets of letter-size.

step 2
2. On the top left-hand corner, fold a small triangle and crease the fold. The fold (ie the longest part of the triangle) is about 5.2cm long, however measuring is not necessary.

step 3
3. Rotate the stack and bring the fold closer to you.

step 4
4. Cut a 1cm-long slit, about 2cm from the edge on the fold, then cut another slit about 1cm away from the first one.

step 5
5. Fold and crease the flap as shown.

You could stop at Step 5, which is officially the end. The next 3 steps seek to hold the flap down.

step
6. Lift up the flap from Step 5 and create that little hollow space.

step 7
7. At the top of the flap, press it down to flatten.

step 8
8. Fold down the 2 halves.

stapleless
Finished!

stapleless
This is how it looks after you’ve completed all the steps, except for the triangle (Step 2), which has been folded over to the back of the stack instead of forward.

Tips:
The heavier the paper, the bigger the triangle fold and the deeper the slits.

The maximum I’ve gone is 15 sheets.

[UPDATE: Check out part 2!]

Chapter: DIY + Tutorials, Decorating + Organising ✼ Comments (92)
2008.03.3

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92 Comments »

From Isobel
2008.03.3 @ 10:49 am

That is quite a tip! Very interesting. :)
Responding your question in my blog, yes, it might be what you think it is. :) I wish soon to feel more comfortable and actually talk about it more openly.
Take care.
x
From EngineerT
2008.03.4 @ 6:16 am

This is a real cool tip! Thank you!

At EngineerT’s blog: Appreciate What We Have
From Colleen
2008.03.6 @ 3:10 am

I LOVE it! :D

At Colleen’s blog: stairs and stars
From Jenny
2008.03.7 @ 1:08 pm

This is so cool! Thanks for the tutorial!
From ramblnrev
2008.04.7 @ 9:48 am

I have to chuckle at this because I learned this when I was in elementary school 45 years ago. That does not make it any less cool, just not bleeding edge. I stopped using it because I don’t like dog eared pages and I don’t like tears and rips. But “there is nothing new under the sun”. Thanks for the memories.
From James
2008.04.7 @ 10:06 am

If you fold the pages towards the BACK of the stack, as in the last picture, the pages dont stay together nearly as well if you try to leaf through them. I thought this was really cool, but it doesn’t work all that well IMO.
From Kin
2008.04.7 @ 10:32 am

Sweet. I did something like this a few times, but this method I’m guessing will be a little stronger.

Btw, I don’t think “learnt” is right. The past tense of learn would be learned. “I learned this from a tv show, or the tv show taught me this”.
From Joe
2008.04.7 @ 11:14 am

Kin,

This blog originates from Singapore. She’s used “mum” as well, indicating a UK background. “Learnt” is perfectly okay.
Pingback From Bind Papers Together Without Staples or Clips [How To] » Lifehacker, tips and downloads for getting things done
2008.04.7 @ 11:15 am

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2008.04.7 @ 11:25 am

[...] I really can use this. How to bind papers without staples/clips? [...]
From Kin
2008.04.7 @ 11:28 am

Oh, hey, cool. Thanks for teaching me instead. (that learnt is british spelling)
From Aug
2008.04.7 @ 11:32 am

thanks a lot, I’ve seen it many years ago but I had forgotten…thank you
From jd
2008.04.7 @ 11:37 am

a paper clip or staple is way quicker than your method.
From Sachin Tendulkar
2008.04.7 @ 11:41 am

Utter waste of time..!!

i would rather use staples.
From Professor Nate
2008.04.7 @ 11:47 am

This can be okay in some cases, in a pinch. But let me say this:

Please do not use this technique for papers that you are giving to another person who has to keep organized many papers similar to yours.

I teach at a university, and every term I have a few students who use this method for binding their assignments, and the submissions often come apart in the stack of assignments. It is a nuisance and it is trashy looking.

Staplers are not hard to find.
From Yotam
2008.04.7 @ 12:01 pm

Neat!
From bloop
2008.04.7 @ 12:09 pm

I think this is a nice environmentally friendly approach to binding docs. No need to waste metal on staples…
From Nate
2008.04.7 @ 12:26 pm

I learned how to do this back in grade school too – at least 47 years ago. I’ll wager there are people out there who have been using this technique even longer.
From Aidan
2008.04.7 @ 12:52 pm

This is going to be REALLY useful for me as a stapler-less student. Thanks!

At Aidan’s blog: “David Usher Should Learn To Self-Promote,” or “How To Make Myspace Work For You”
Pingback From Bind Papers Together Without Staples or Clips [How To] · TechBlogger
2008.04.7 @ 2:23 pm

[...] office supplies—the two notches could be hand-ripped, after all, if you were crafty about it. How to bind papers without staples or clips [...]
Pingback From How To Bind Paper Without Staples Or Clips | TheJobBored
2008.04.7 @ 3:33 pm

[...] This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to use an origami technique to keep all your papers fastened. [...]
From royal8
2008.04.7 @ 4:46 pm

Along this line has anyone seen a stapleless stapler? I need a link or two if you have them.
From DC
2008.04.7 @ 4:53 pm

Cool…but if you have more than a few papers, you’ll need scissors, and if you have scissors, you’ll have staples and clips nearby.
From Joni
2008.04.7 @ 5:35 pm

Is this for real? I used to do this in MIDDLE SCHOOL when there were no staplers. We didn’t even use scissors – just ripped the paper instead.
From Joni
2008.04.7 @ 5:36 pm

Aug and Nate – guess we all went to the smart schools. ;)
From Seen
2008.04.7 @ 6:19 pm

I’ve actually seen this before. But in a slightly different manner. The margin of the paper was folded over and then three of those cuts were made. The end product looked like a fairly strudy book (a small one at that cuz folding over the margin wont work for large amounts. There are ways to get around that using Combo cuts)
Pingback From links for 2008-04-07 — Backyard Sketches
2008.04.7 @ 7:42 pm

[...] Bloomize » How to bind papers without staples or clips (tags: howto lifehacker tips) [...]
From Matt
2008.04.7 @ 9:14 pm

We used to just take the pages, fold the top corner of the pages inward and make a tiny rip in the corner with our hands. But, heck, that was the 70’s when we didn’t have staplers and scissors.

At Matt’s blog: Errors will happen…
From Gabriela Rosenkilde
2008.04.7 @ 10:20 pm

Hey! I really thought this idea very good! Loved it! But please do not use the translating page thingy on the sidebar, it’s absolutely incomprehensible! At least in danish, sweedish and french! I don’t read german or chineese – But I have my doubts! – Kind regards Gabriela

At Gabriela Rosenkilde’s blog: NY BLOG;
Pingback From Links for 08-04-2008 | Velcro City Tourist Board
2008.04.7 @ 11:30 pm

[...] – How to bind papers without staples or clips Oooooh … good hack. I likee. (tags: lifehacks binding documents staples alternative clip [...]
From Oliver Clevont
2008.04.8 @ 12:38 am

I must admit I haven’t used “learned” before. I was taught at school to use “learnt”, and similarly spelt words like: “spent, swept, meant, kept and burnt”. What a weird world we live in!
From Lynoure
2008.04.8 @ 2:31 am

This seem very handy if you plan to shredder the documents in the end. Staples need to be removed before shreddering, and that also takes time.
Pingback From Papier binden zonder nietjes » lifehacking.nl
2008.04.8 @ 3:34 am

[...] het complete artikel op Bloomlize: How to bind papers without staples or clips. Stem of voeg toe(?): Comment RSS [...]
From matéo
2008.04.8 @ 3:54 am

That’s a great trick! very practice!
Thanks
Pingback From inforedesign » Как скрепить бумагу без скрепок
2008.04.8 @ 4:53 am

[...] вольный, но передающий главный смысл перевод статьи How to bind papers without staples or clips] 1. Берем 5 одинаковых листов бумаги и выравниваем их в [...]
From 何亮
2008.04.8 @ 6:28 am

太实用了，为我的学习工作提供了很多方便，谢谢o(∩_∩)o…
From Tal Shafik
2008.04.8 @ 8:06 am

This is simply brilliant. Thanks.
Trackback From roScripts - Webmaster resources and websites
2008.04.8 @ 8:08 am

Bloomize » How to bind papers without staples or clips…
From captain dogra
2008.04.8 @ 10:12 am

I was surprised like anybody and when I saw the whole thing I remembered my father–way back in 1960’s doing this with his official documents in a Govt.Deptt.in India.Ofcourse there were no strapller pins and no paper clips and pricckly pins were there which usually got rusted with time.Ofcourse for a thick pile of papers they would tie the whole bunch with a thick thread which is done in most of the Indian Govt offices till today.World seems to be getting closer and more transparent with such blogs.Captain Dogra
From captain dogra
2008.04.8 @ 10:30 am

Well when I go through all the comments i see it is an old technique and used in Examination rooms as well even today.Risky though since the papers can come off and does’nt looks as clean as in your photo.Yes–if you are away from pins and strapplers–please use this.Captain Dodra
Pingback From kevindouglas.net » Blog Archive » Bind Paper Without Staples
2008.04.8 @ 11:46 am

[...] such a lugury? Well, for those on a very tight budget here’s an interesting walk-through on how to bind paper without staples or paper clips. Posted on [...]
From a math prof
2008.04.8 @ 12:05 pm

part of my first-day spiel as a college math prof is: “…and please don’t do that fold the corner over then tear it a bit and fold it again thing like you did in grade school. it drives me nuts!”
okay, so i don’t really care that much — but it gets a good laugh :) (and it is mildly irritating when homework papers don’t stack nicely.)
From [Clara]
2008.04.8 @ 1:23 pm

Thanks to everyone who have arrived here from LH!

I’m (too) happy that some of us have now picked up a new trick while for others, a chance to reminisce the past and also for those who “gained” a lesson on UK spelling!! Thanks Joe!
Pingback From How to bind papers without staples or clips « Justin Cameron
2008.04.8 @ 2:19 pm

[...] Full article is here. [...]
From wumble
2008.04.8 @ 3:28 pm

Aren’t we supposed to be observing the originality of this idea, or are we trying to be expert in the English Language? As long as its undrstd the gramur dussent cumb (silent “b”) intwo it!
This from a 60+ Englishman
From TrooperKal
2008.04.8 @ 7:58 pm

I was doing this 20 years ago in elementary school…. should’ve patented it!
Pingback From links for 2008-04-09 — Orangescale.NET / Thomas Arie Setiawan
2008.04.8 @ 8:44 pm

[...] How to bind papers without staples or clips Tips: The heavier the paper, the bigger the triangle fold and the deeper the slits. (tags: howto tips diy lifehacker productivity guide) [...]
Pingback From links for 2008-04-09 « Mandarine
2008.04.9 @ 12:34 am

[...] How to bind papers without staples or clips (tags: diy origami paper tutorial fun) [...]
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2008.04.9 @ 6:30 am

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Pingback From Torpify » Blog Archive » Staple-less stapling
2008.04.9 @ 9:18 am

[...] Check out Bloomize blog for instructions on how to fight back at the staples! [...]
Pingback From RusiBlog.com - Русский iBlog » Blog Archive » Как скрепить листы без скрепки
2008.04.10 @ 3:04 am

[...] Интересный tip. Потребуются только ножницы. Можно скрепить до 15 листов.Подробности по ссылке. [...]
From felipe
2008.04.10 @ 1:01 pm

esa wea es mas vieja qe el hilo negro…
From elferrydavid
2008.04.10 @ 3:02 pm

muy util, para todos esos apuntes interminables que el profesor te pide en el examen

At elferrydavid’s blog: 40 minutos de ostias en Jerry Springer
From talitha
2008.04.11 @ 3:22 am

There exist a tool that can do a similar thing, though less pretty!!! and less pages!!

http://www.wrapables.com
From Sander
2008.04.11 @ 3:44 am

http://www.magicstapler.com
From nn
2008.04.11 @ 4:55 am

This is very old.
I have known this for 25 years.

-europe-
From Marcel
2008.04.11 @ 11:03 am

It looks quite nice, but I have my doubts if this is what you want. When you connect a few documents with a staple and put several of these documents on top of eachother they will maken the corner where the staple is mounted grow faster then the other corners. If you use this method it wil grow even faster which will make te stack fall even faster. But I have to say that when you ae using it for 1 document and you live in a third-world country it is a great solution.
From caatje
2008.04.12 @ 2:00 am

learned this when i was 10……32 years ago…but still using it….it really works!
From Stan
2008.04.12 @ 6:40 am

Nice method and really cool too!

Too bad that you still need a pair of scissors. The greatest thing would be binding papers with your bare hands.

Greetings from across the ocean, The Netherlands.

Stan.
Pingback From Redhead’s Weblog » Papier binden zonder nietjes
2008.04.13 @ 7:01 pm

[...] Lees het complete artikel op Bloomlize: How to bind papers without staples or clips. [...]
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2008.04.14 @ 5:55 am

[...] office supplies—the two notches could be hand-ripped, after all, if you were crafty about it. How to bind papers without staples or clips [...]
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2008.04.16 @ 7:00 pm

[...] Como prender papel sem clips nem agrafos [...]
Pingback From geen nietmachine meer nodig « Cognito ergo sum
2008.04.17 @ 10:24 am

[...] Wow. Dit is echt wel handig. Zo vaak hoor ik, vooral op mijn werk, mensen vragen om een paperclip of nietmachine om een paar A4-tjes aan elkaar te verbinden en bijna altijd weet niemand waar de paperclips of nietmachines zijn. Vooral als de A4-tjes maar een tijdje aan elkaar moeten zitten -als een boekje- voor bijvoorbeeld een vergadering heb ik nu een super oplossing gevonden. Check. [...]
From Morana
2008.04.17 @ 9:26 pm

This is called a “dog ear” where I live in KY. We used this is elementary school when turning in paperwork.
Pingback From Kakbit » Blog Archive » Deklarationen inlämnad
2008.05.5 @ 3:38 pm

[...] ihop alla papper som hörde ihop med deklarationen, då kom jag att tänka på något jag sett på How to bind papers without staples or clips, vik-riv-vik, så har man gjort sig ett “grönt” gem… eller mer origami [...]
Pingback From Binding papers without a clip | Brian - themediasoldier
2008.05.6 @ 3:51 pm

[...] Update May 6th 2008 – Managed to find one of the original online publishers guide. You can view it over at her website titled Bloomize. [...]
From Miki
2008.05.8 @ 4:43 pm

wow, i haven’t seen that since i was a kid. My English teacher would do that, since she was allergic to metal in the paper clips.
Pingback From Grampeie papéis sem grampeador ou grampo at Gambiarra!
2008.05.10 @ 7:50 am

[...] juntar algumas folhas e não tem um grampeador a mão? Leia este tutorial e aprenda a fazer isso: com um limite de aproximadamente 15 folhas, a técnica é bem simples e [...]
From Monica
2008.05.24 @ 2:02 pm

I learned this years ago too, and have resorted to it in a pinch, hand torn (as carefully as possible, of course) and it managed to do what it was required to do…which was hold the few pages together long enough to get it to where it needed to go, where I then asked for a stapler, unfolded the “tab” made by the tears and stapled across these to keep it all together and looking almost okay. Frankly, it earned (or is that earnt? lol jk) me a nod for resourcefulness. Thanks for the refresher course and what its supposed to look like, when you’re not in a heated rush in your car cursing at youself for not bringing a stapler with you. :)
From louis
2008.07.24 @ 1:46 am

Fantastic mate – I have an interview tomorrow and have run out of staples – this worked a treat!
Pingback From Hacker
2008.08.13 @ 9:09 pm

[...] Jules for featuring my magnetic hack on Ikea Hacker and overdue thanks to Kevin for including the stapleless paper binding trick as a MacGyver tip on Life Hacker. Social Bookmarking 13th August 2008 ✼ Chapter: Decorating + [...]
From Renan
2008.08.17 @ 9:26 pm

Marcel, if you stack the papers clipped with this method toggling upside-down at each document, no corners will grow faster than the others.
Why is this a great solution for third-world countries? I live in a third-world country and we have plenny of staples and clips as cheap as you have near your home (which might be in a first-world country, I guess) .
Pingback From 42users.com » Blog Archive » Bind Papers Together Without Staples or Clips
2008.08.22 @ 4:38 pm

[...] office supplies—the two notches could be hand-ripped, after all, if you were crafty about it. How to bind papers without staples or clips [Bloomize] Tags: lifehacker, macgyver, [...]
Pingback From Folding Trees » Binding papers without a clip or staples
2008.09.1 @ 6:00 pm

[...] is a cute little tutorial from Bloomize; it shows you how to bind papers without staples or clips. SHARE THIS POSTClose Bookmark and Share This Page Save to Browser Favorites / [...]
From Breno
2009.02.15 @ 10:17 am

I am a brazilian, and I like very this post.
I want to write a translation of this. Please return this message by e-mail. Thanks.
From Бaбник
2009.06.21 @ 5:01 pm

Первые два комментатора глаголят истину :)
From icetrix
2009.08.6 @ 1:36 am

This is pretty genuis. Thanks for the great tip!
From Гавриил
2009.08.18 @ 9:43 am

Да уж Пока это у нас не очень сильно развито, так что придётся немного подождать.
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2009.08.23 @ 12:34 am

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2009.08.23 @ 12:46 am

[...] occasionally ran out of staples and paper clips. Rather than run for the supply closet, he’d creatively fold and cut the edges, keeping up to 15 sheets of paper together with their own resistance. As a result, Amos in accounts [...]
Pingback From Top 10 Tricks MacGyver Would Be Proud Of [Lifehacker Top 10] · TechBlogger
2009.08.23 @ 1:06 am

[...] occasionally ran out of staples and paper clips. Rather than run for the supply closet, he’d creatively fold and cut the edges, keeping up to 15 sheets of paper together with their own resistance. As a result, Amos in accounts [...]
Pingback From Top 10 Tricks MacGyver Would Be Proud Of | Lifehacker Australia
2009.08.23 @ 1:31 am

[...] occasionally ran out of staples and paper clips. Rather than run for the supply closet, he’d creatively fold and cut the edges, keeping up to 15 sheets of paper together with their own resistance. As a result, Amos in accounts [...]
Pingback From Top 10 Tricks MacGyver Would Be Proud Of [Lifehacker Top 10] « Coolbeans
2009.08.23 @ 2:25 am

[...] occasionally ran out of staples and paper clips. Rather than run for the supply closet, he’d creatively fold and cut the edges, keeping up to 15 sheets of paper together with their own resistance. As a result, Amos in accounts [...]
Pingback From Top 10 Tricks MacGyver Would Be Proud Of [Lifehacker Top 10]
2009.08.23 @ 3:30 am

[...] occasionally ran out of staples and paper clips. Rather than run for the supply closet, he’d creatively fold and cut the edges, keeping up to 15 sheets of paper together with their own resistance. As a result, Amos in accounts [...]
Pingback From Top 10 Tricks MacGyver Would Be Proud Of [Lifehacker Top 10] » Shai Perednik.com
2009.08.23 @ 8:42 am

[...] occasionally ran out of staples and paper clips. Rather than run for the supply closet, he’d creatively fold and cut the edges, keeping up to 15 sheets of paper together with their own resistance. As a result, Amos in accounts [...]
From Gautham
2009.08.23 @ 4:48 pm

This is real good. I kinda evolved this method from different tests I used to write and then end up without staplers. However, the staying down part is new. Cool
Pingback From Top 10 Tricks MacGyver Would Be Proud Of [Lifehacker Top 10] - 4866th Edition | Technology Revealed
2009.08.23 @ 8:28 pm

[...] occasionally ran out of staples and paper clips. Rather than run for the supply closet, he’d creatively fold and cut the edges, keeping up to 15 sheets of paper together with their own resistance. As a result, Amos in accounts [...]
Pingback From Top 10 Tricks MacGyver Would Be Proud Of [Lifehacker Top 10] | Beyond Tech – Technology Ahead Of Your Imagination
2009.08.24 @ 12:19 pm

[...] occasionally ran out of staples and paper clips. Rather than run for the supply closet, he’d creatively fold and cut the edges, keeping up to 15 sheets of paper together with their own resistance. As a result, Amos in accounts [...]
Pingback From 10 Tricks MacGyver Would Do in a Pinch « The Sizzle in Science
2009.08.28 @ 10:57 am

[...] occasionally ran out of staples and paper clips. Rather than run for the supply closet, he’d creatively fold and cut the edges, keeping up to 15 sheets of paper together with their own resistance. As a result, Amos in accounts [...]
From anna
2009.11.1 @ 3:31 pm

thanks! this wuz really interesting
From Corey
2009.11.28 @ 7:14 am

Thinkgeek.com has a stapleless stapler if you would like to buy from there.
Pingback From Top 10 Tricks MacGyver Would Be Proud Of – DJ Myster-e Official Website
2009.12.15 @ 3:46 am

[...] occasionally ran out of staples and paper clips. Rather than run for the supply closet, he’d creatively fold and cut the edges, keeping up to 15 sheets of paper together with their own resistance. As a result, Amos in accounts [...]