FAQs Answers to all of your Eco Friendly Office Supply questions.

Shipping Questions

Binder Questions

Ring Questions

Vinyl Binder Questions

Ring Questions

Why do you use D-rings rather than Round Rings?

We use D-rings for two reasons. They are more efficient in that they hold more paper for the same size ring and they keep your papers sitting evenly and flat on the right. This is useful if you use tab dividers in your binder as they will all show.  With round ring binders, the pages are flared somewhat, obscuring your tabs.

How do you measure a D-ring or a O-ring in a binder?

The D-ring measures the flat face of the ring. The round ring measures the width of the ring.

How much more does a D-ring binder hold?

A 1" D-ring binder holds 220 sheets of paper; a 1" round ring holds 170.

A 1.5" D ring binder holds 350 sheets of paper; a 1.5'' round ring binder 250.

So why do people use round ring binders? 

Some people like the way the paper turns on round rings - the bend is not so sharp. 

How do I know where to punch the holes on my paper that will go in my Naked Notebook Binder?

From the outside boosters (the things you push down to open your rings) to the center of the outside rings, it measures 1.5'' in. From the center of the top ring, to the center of the middle ring, to the center of the bottom ring, the measurements are 2.75'' between the rings. 

Can I get a 4" D-ring binder?

There are reasons we are not making really large 3-ring binders, besides that they are hard to carry when full.  Those 4" and 5" d-rings are hard to come by. Most suppliers only carry limited amounts meaning we could potentially run out and have to wait two months or so to get more.  That's not reliable enough for us.  Also, wow, they are big!  If you need a larger quantity, say 250 or more, call us-- we'll talk. 

Shipping Questions

Do you ship to Canada?

Yes we do.  The bulk of our shipping is to the US, Canada and Mexico.  We can ship to other farther off places also.  We have shipped to Europe and Australia.

Shipping seems a little high. What's up with that?

You're not the only one that thinks this. Trust us, if we could make the shipping cost drop or even disappear magically we would. Unfortunately, we can't. We charge exactly what UPS charges and nothing more. 

Why can Amazon and other online stores offer free shipping and you can't?

Ah, Amazon. Amazon is a gigantic business that has many, many distribution warehouses around the WORLD which means shipping distance and therefore cost goes way down. Needless to say, we are not as giant as Amazon -- although we do hope, one day, to take over the world. 

Often times, retail stores can offer "free shipping" because they build that cost into the price of their products. Or they are running an incentive sale or (permanent one) in which products may not be discounted but free shipping is offered. 

We're located in Des Moines, IA and that is where everything ships from. Someday, we hope to expand to a few distribution centers to lessen the cost of shipping. 

Binder Questions

So just how strong is the Naked Binder?

We had an independent laboratory flex the Naked Binder 250,000 times with out failing.  In essense, they opened and closed the binder 250,000 times.  We also ran them through dishwashers, dried them and they still worked.  That was far less scientific, but much more fun.

We are concerned about hinge strength because that is usually the first place on a binder to fall apart. 250,000 flexes is the equivalent of 20 uses a day for 34 years. Now that's a long time. Our binders have also been tested by fire departments and on road rallies.

What is a Naked Binder made of?

Go here for the complete list of all of our recycled papers and post consumer waste board!

Do you sell any white binders?

Um, no.  In order to get a white binder, the papers usually take a chemical beating to rid them of any color. Naked Binder does not endorse chemically beaten products.

Do you have labels for your tab dividers?

Right now, we're testing tab labels and templates which will be available on our site soon. Check back!

I'm wondering if you have bulk discounts? 

You're in luck! We do have discounts when you start purchasing larger quantiies: 10 or more binders, 20 or more sets of tabs and 25 or more folders. Yay!  Go here to find the complete guide. 

How many binders come to a case?

1" D-ring -- 22 to a case
1.5" D-ring -- 16 to a case
2" D-ring -- 12 to a case
2.5" D-ring -- 10 to a case

I want to see all of your products and prices for a quick looksy. 

Not a problem-- just click here!

Can I only buy your products online?

For the most part yes. We have only a handful of small boutique shops around the country that carry parts of our line, but we are the only one to carry our full line. 

Are Naked Binders acid free?
Why, yes they are.  The board was lab tested and is Acid Neutral a.k.a. acid free.  This means that Naked Binders will not promote the spiral of degeneration that paper goes through when in touch with acid.  Those old brittle yellowed paperbacks on your shelf-- acidic paper.  So, not to worry. We're here to help things last. 

How do I recycle my Naked Binder?

This is an easy one. Tools you need: 1) Flat head (standard) screwdriver  2) 9 seconds

Insert the screwdriver under the ring mechanism by the top rivet.  Lift and pop the rivet out.  Grab ring mechanism and remove from binder. We have a video on how to recycle a Naked Binder here for those who like visuals.

Can Naked Binders count toward my LEED certification? 

Yes indeed. Go here for more information

What is the packaging in my box?
The crepe paper ribbon keeping your binders safe is a reinforcing material used in book binding. Library Binding Service, our parent company, take large rolls of the material and cut it down to size for use in book binderies. Their waste becomes our packaging materials. 

How much more eco-friendly is the Naked Binder recycled paper vs. virgin paper?

• Recycled paper saves 60% energy vs. virgin paper¹
• Recycled paper generates 95% less air pollution: each ton saves 60 lbs. of air pollution ¹
• Recycling of each ton of paper saves 17 trees and 7000 gallons of water ²

Every year enough paper is thrown away to make a 12-foot high wall running from New York to California

¹  Center for Ecological Technology
²  EPA

Vinyl Binder Questions

Is it possible to recycle a vinyl binder?

In a word, no. We tried. If your binder is pristine, you can have it recycled. If you have, say 40,000 lbs of vinyl (80,000 binders or so) and a way to separate all the components, you can recycle them. Otherwise, you and most of the other people trying to recycle up to 100 million vinyl binders sold in the US each year are adding to landfill, dioxins to the air and probably water supplies.  The full attempt to find somewhere in the US to recycle a vinyl binder is here.

Do you have information about issues with Vinyl binders?

Oh yes we do. BPAs, Dioxins, Companies eliminating vinyl, Information on PVCs, Types of vinyl, Hidden costs of vinyl

Do you have other questions?  Ask us!   Or look below for more information.