Staples are a common fastening solution used in homes, offices, schools, and businesses everywhere. But with different sizes and gauges available, how do you know which staple is the right fit for your application? One of the most versatile options is the 21 gauge staple. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what 21 gauge staples are best suited for and where they offer advantages over other sizes.
What Are 21 Gauge Staples?
Staple gauge refers to the thickness of the metal wire used to construct the staple. Lower gauge numbers indicate thicker staples, while higher gauges are thinner. 21 gauge staples have a wire diameter of 0.032 inches, making them slightly thinner than average office staples. This gauge provides good flexibility and fastening ability across a wide range of materials and applications.
Typical Uses For 21 Gauge Staple By Staples manufacturers
Here are some of the common uses for 21 gauge staples:
- Office Documents – Thin enough not to damage paper but still provide secure fastening for reports, presentations, brochures up to 30 pages.
- Crafts – Ideal for securing papercrafts, greeting cards, scrapbooking, and other delicate handiwork projects.
- Bulletin Boards – Strong enough to hold lightweight posters, flyers, notices to bulletin boards and corkboards.
- Upholstery – Used for tacking lightweight upholstery fabrics and cushions without creating large holes.
- Electrical Wiring – Good for bundling and securing low voltage wiring with a less bulky profile.
- -Packaging – Slim profile allows securing packaging materials like cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, and crates.
Advantages Of 21 Gauge Staples
Compared to heavier gauge staples, using 21 gauge offers several benefits:
- Less Damage – Thinner gauge creates smaller holes to prevent tearing delicate materials.
- Flexible Fastening – Easier to insert staples around curved surfaces and in tight spaces.
- Low Profile – Provides secure fastening while maintaining a slimmer, less visible profile.
- Cost Effective – Typically more affordable than premium heavier gauge staples.
- Wide Compatibility – Suitable for use in home, office, school, and hobby settings.
- Improved Safety – Reduced risk of injury from sharp points due to thinner gauge.
While 21 gauge may lack the absolute holding power of 18 or 20 gauge options, it provides the ideal balance of grip, flexibility, and low profile for many everyday applications.
Choosing The Right Guage Of Staple Through Staple Suppliers
When selecting 21 gauge staples, common leg lengths range from 1/4 inch up to 9/16 inch. Consider material thickness and desired depth of penetration when deciding on staple size. For heavy duty fastening jobs, go up to a thicker 18 or 20 gauge. But for most office and household tasks, 21 gauge delivers reliable fastening without excess bulk.