Product Review: Filertek Dry Erase Hanging File Tabs
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One of the most popular ways to organize paper files for home or business, whether the project is best suited to an alphabetical, numeric, or topical system, is a set of hanging files, but I’ve never been a huge fan of hanging files, for various reasons.
Many hanging file tabs come with inserts that are pre-labeled from A to Z or January to December, which is handy IF that’s what your client needs, but often that’s not the case. Most of the time you end up affixing a label over top or folding them the other way so you can write on the back. These inserts can only be re-used so many times before they need to be replaced.
Even worse, many hanging file tabs are made from thin plastic which wears out over time, causing them to break and fall off. This is especially problematic if the tabs have been removed and updated or replaced, and it severely limits the efficiency of your filing system.
Fortunately, filing products have come a long way since my early days working in an office, when hanging files came in only olive drab! They’re now available in assorted shades, with hanging tabs to match, and it’s great to see that manufacturers are also coming up with innovative products that eliminate the issues we had to deal with in the past.
One such manufacturer is The Pencil Grip Inc., who have done away with those little cardboard slips altogether with their Filertek line of file indexing systems. You simply pop open the durable plastic cover, write on the file label using a dry-erase pen (included when you purchase a set of tabs, or available separately), and close it again. This clever system means the tabs can be used over and over again, so your client doesn’t go to update a label one day, only to discover they have no paper inserts in stock. Not only is this convenient, it makes sense from an environmental perspective and keeps expenses down as well.
The tabs are lovely and strong, so you don’t have to worry about them falling off. Although I wouldn’t recommend the practice, I actually pulled one of my files out of the drawer by the tab and it remained firmly in place. I’m so impressed that I’m probably going to use them in my office filing cabinet, which I’ve refused to do for many years.
Filertek Hanging File Tabs are available in packages of 5, 12, and 50, and come in assorted colors for the benefit of your visually-oriented clients, or in clear, for those who prefer a cleaner, more uniform look. If you can’t find them in your local office supply store, you can order them directly from The Pencil Grip or from Amazon.com
If you’d like to try this product out with one of your organizing clients, or even in your own office, you’ll be thrilled to know that The Pencil Grip Inc. has generously offered to send a sample to one of my blog readers!
For a chance to win, simply leave a comment below. For additional entries you can:
- Join our mailing list and leave a comment to let me know you have
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You’re allowed to tweet about the giveaway once per day, so you can have up to 10 chances to win!
The giveaway closes at midnight (Eastern Daylight time) on Sunday, June 12, and the winner will be selected using a random number generator and announced on June 13. Good luck!
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I’m not a big fan of hanging files either, but this is a great idea! Somehow, I always end up buying the ones with plastic tabs that never hold the inserts in place. I can’t wait to use these in my clients’ homes and my own!
The other thing I don’t like about those thin plastic ones is that they come in different sizes and you have to make sure you have the right ones for the file folders you bought. These just slip on, so you don’t have to worry about that!
A much better option than trying to hold onto those tiny pieces of paper you are supposed to slip in and out of the plastic tab. I always end up cutting up note cards and recreating them when I switch categories. As I work with clients in the coming months, I will be sure to offer samples. Thanks for another great time saving organizing product.
I’d never thought of cutting up index cards – that would be way better than those flimsy bits of paper!
I would love to introduce these to my clients. I am doing a lot of paper management jobs lately and this would be a great asset to share with them. I WANT TO WIN THESE!!!!!!
I know you would put them to good use!
This is a great product. It would be great to use for temporary categories of work – they can be used over and over again too! Way to go green.
That’s one of the things I like about them too. No matter how carefully you plan out a filing system, there’s usually at least one file that isn’t needed after all, or that needs to be renamed.
I’m working right now on trying to organize our office and these would be such a help!
Good luck!
It would be so nice to have reusable labels that actually stay put!
Yup, no risk of these coming off, since you write directly on the tab!
What a good idea!
Good luck, Ashley! Thanks for entering.
this is a really good idea! im glad someone came up with it bc it is so useful!
im a twitter follower @jmmccarr
Thanks for following!
Janet – Cool product. I had never heard of this one. I think it would be fantastic for action folders that change frequently. I think I have a drawer in my own office that could be calling out for this one. 🙂 I’ll be sure to let others know.
To your success
Steph
I’m thrilled that I was able to tell YOU about a new product – I’m sure you’ll love them!
And the winner is Alison from The Polished Room! Congratulations, Alison. We’ll be in touch by email to arrange for delivery of your prize.