Q&A for How to Staple a Booklet

Note the end of the staple gun where the staples are supposed to come out of (on some tools, it’s not always where you think). This is where the “legs” of the staple should come out first, and the tool is often marked with an arrow to indicate where the staples will come out. I load my staple gun from the back, first by lifting the latch that holds the spring into place. Then, I load a full sleeve of joined staples using smaller broken bits of staples tends to jam more. Insert the spring into place, and then close the latch so that the spring is compressed into place.

If you want to know if an edge is 90 degrees, use the corner of a sheet of paper to check. You could also use a woodworker's triangle.

The normal sized staples should be fine when you are stapling a booklet. Avoid the thin staples when it is at all possible.

You might try a laminated page of legal sized paper. Or you may want to "decoupage" a piece of legal sized paper onto a thin piece of wood or some other kind of material. You of course will provide the cover design first.

If by "common sizes" you mean 8.5 X 11 inches, simply divide 11 by 2 or 3 and space the staples at equal distances to one another. The same should hold for varying lengths of pages, depending on the size of your booklet.

Yes, you can use most staplers. Use an office stapler. Avoid cheaper ones, as they can break easily.

Your pages might not turn smoothly because the booklet needs to be used more. Regularly flipping the pages helps them become more flexible.

If your stapler can’t open fully and you want to avoid visible staples on the sides, consider using a hidden staple stapler. These staplers insert the staple so that the legs fold inside, making them invisible from the sides. Alternatively, use a tacker or binding machine for neat edges, or adjust the stapler's settings (if adjustable) to prevent overlapping staples.

Yes, you can use the staple method for a booklet with 80-100 pages, but it may require larger staples or a heavy-duty stapler. A typical stapler might not have enough power for that many pages. A long-reach stapler or saddle-stitching machine is better for thicker booklets. If using a regular stapler, try stapling in sections and joining them, but for a cleaner finish, use proper equipment.

Try stapling the booklet in sections by stapling smaller groups of pages and then binding them together. You could also use a clamp or binder clip to hold everything tightly before stapling each section. Alternatively, consider other binding methods like spiral binding or bookbinding glue for a cleaner result. If needed, look into getting a long-reach stapler or checking with a print shop that offers stapling services.

Use a flat-cinch stapler, which staples papers flat without visible staples. A tacker stapler or an adjustable stapler could also be good alternatives for your needs. These options help achieve clean, hidden staples.

It depends on your stapler’s capacity. Standard staplers usually handle 20 to 30 pages, but heavy-duty staplers can handle 50 to 100 pages or more. If you need to staple a large number of pages, consider using a heavy-duty stapler or binding machine. Check the stapler's specifications for its maximum capacity.