A: In America, we are accustomed to storing our paperwork in file cabinets. In contrast, Europeans have always used the more efficient “FILEBINDERS” to keep their offices organized. Filing documents in binders saves valuable time and ensures accurate document retrieval. Rather than “un-filing” a document from a manila folder to access information, Filebinders allow you to turn right to the indexed document you need. Simply open the binder to the desired document and close it when you are finished, without the extra work of re-filing. Binders also let you easily add or remove a page without disturbing the order of the other pages.

Q: How many rings are in a Filebinder?

A: Two rings. Americans are more familiar with three rings, but our Filebinders have two rings to allow you to quickly browse through your files without turning a page. Unlike the binders you are used to, our Filebinders open with a lever for easy pinch-free and rip-free operation, and proper ring alignment for long lasting durability.

Q: Will the "European" filebinder hold both American and European size paper?

A: Yes! Even though the Filebinders were designed to hold European size paper, they easily accommodate the US Standard letter-size sheets.

Q: What is the European standard paper size?

A: Actually there are several, but the most common is DIN A4. This is roughly equivalent to the US standard letter-size of 8 1/2 by 11 inches. A4 dimensions are 210 by 297 mm. or 8.27 by 11.69 inches.

Q: Are European holepunches different too?

A: Yes, the standard European hole spacing is 8 cm. (or 3 1/8 inches). An American standard hole punch has 2 3/4 inch (or 7 cm.) hole spacing.

Q: What other A4 sized supplies does Empire offer?

A: A4 paper, A4 sheet protectors and plastic sleeves, ViewBinders, eyelet binders, and more. We'll gladly send you a copy of our catalogue; simply visit our Request a Catalogue page.

We've been providing businesses throughout the United States and Canada with quality imported office supplies for over half a century. We have in stock over 100 products from premier European manufacturers including Leitz of Germany.

Whether you want to convert your entire office to the two-ring FileBinder system or have a particular A4 project need, we're happy to help. In fact, with over 67 years' experience, our customer service representatives are handy resources. In addition to products sized for A4 paper, we also carry many U.S.-sized (8 1/2" x 11") European-style products.

So, please browse our website and take a look at our FAQ page for answers to some common questions about the European filing system. And if you can't find the product you're looking for, or if you need additional assistance, please feel free to email or call 800-544-4744 or 413-256-4917 (outside of U.S.). Thanks for shopping with us!