Last week we talked about organizing your files using the straight-line filing technique. To further organize your paperwork we suggest assigning color to each category in your files. No longer will your correspondence end up in your personal banking folder--learn how after the jump.
Using Color to Organize Your Files
By associating categories with a specific color you'll be able to find your files faster. Adding color breaks your filing system down into smaller sections and it helps us clearly visualize what would otherwise be dull file folders. When you're looking for a specific piece of paper you'll be able to rule out most colors and zone in on the colored files that contain only what you're looking for. Before, we would have to read each file tab to determine what category we needed. When we use color to search for a file, our eyes can immediately spot a specific tab. We also like that when we take a file out, it's easy to put back and find its proper place in line. Plus--no more writing category names on index tabs. With the colored file signifying a category, there is no need for it.
To organize your files using color, we suggest using 4-6 categories--any more than six will be confusing and hard to keep track of. When you're picking out your colors try to determine a relationship between the category and your color choice. For our financial files we picked red because to us, red screams "super important"(a red flag, if you will). Once you determine what color each category will be it's time to make a purchase. We like the ease of these file folders from Pendalfex. The tab is already attached in place, just flip it up and seal it in place.
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[Image from imhere]
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I have been google'ing the world over to file pretty colored file folders and hanging folders to no avail?!?!? Where o' where did you find the file folders shown in your picture?
thanks!
view smallhousebiglife's profile
i sure hope no one would use all those colors in the pic for their filing. they'd need a decoder!
you can keep it simple:
green = financial papers (banks, investments)
blue = health and medical
red = tax papers
orange = utilities
white = the other resting paperwork you file (not stuff you need to grab on a monthly basis)
view *heather leaf*'s profile
i hate misleading photos. pretty, but when you click on the image credit it takes you to an etsy shop. and here i think i'm going to get 46 beautiful folders for $5. then i look at the description and they are 3.5" x 2.5". i assume for separating scrapbooking supplies. ugh. i want BIG folders that are those colors.
view atlantadesigner's profile
Color coding works great some people; others hate it. (Personally, I use color coding for just two types of files; all the others are whatever.) But even if you're not into color coding you might want colored files if manila bugs you as much as it bugs me.
Both Esselte and Smead make colored folders; I wrote about them here. The Smead link is to the company's web site; you can't buy the folders there, but you can see what's available (and part numbers) and then buy online elsewhere. It's hard to find these folders in the stores.
view Jeri Dansky's profile
Jeri - you are awesome.
view atlantadesigner's profile
Nice article, but there is another way to buy file folders, pressboard folders and expanding filing pockets and that is direct from the manufacture. At AmericanFolder.Com we are now selling our manufactured filing supplies direct thus cutting out the big box retailers markup. So yes I agree that buying some office supplies from a large chain store is smart, but the real savings is when you find a manufacture that is selling direct. I invite you to go too our companies web site and see for yourself.
AmericanFolder.Com
custservice@americanfolder.com
view American Folder Company's profile