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File Folders
File Folders - Top Tab, End Tab, Letter & Legal Sizes
Shop file folders for drawer filing, shelf filing, and everyday office records. Choose from top tab folders, end tab folders, hanging folders, classification folders, expandable folders, file jackets, plastic folders, and fastener folders in letter and legal sizes.
Shop All Types of File Folders
Sub Categories
Smead
Smead Indexed Folder Set, Daily (1-31), Reinforced 1/5-Cut Tabs, Letter Size, Manila
Smead
Smead Jewel Colored File Folders, 1/3-Cut Top Tab, Letter Size, 100/Box (11948)
Smead
Smead Kraft Legal-Size Top Tab Folders, 11-Point, 2-Ply Straight Cut Tab, 100/Box
Smead
Smead Kraft Letter-Size Top Tab Folders, 11-Point, 2-Ply Straight Cut Tab, 2 Fasteners, 50/Box
Smead
Smead Lavender File Folders, 1/3-Cut Reinforced Top Tab, Legal Size, 1 Fastener, 50/Box (17434F1)
Smead
Smead Lavender File Folders, 1/3-Cut Reinforced Top Tab, Legal Size, 100/Box (17434)
Smead
Smead Lavender File Folders, 1/3-Cut Reinforced Top Tab, Legal Size, 2 Fasteners, 50/Box (17434F13)
Smead
Smead Lavender File Folders, 1/3-Cut Top Tab (Double Ply), Letter Size, 100/Box (12434)
Smead
Smead Lavender Letter-Size Top Tab Folders, 11-Point, 2-Ply Straight Cut Tab, 100/Box
Smead
Smead Lavender Letter-Size Top Tab Folders, 11-Point, 2-Ply Straight Cut Tab, 2 Fasteners, 50/Box
Smead
Smead Manila Legal-Size Top Tab Folders, 11-Point, 2-Ply Straight Cut Tab, 100/Box
Smead
Smead Nylon Zippered Padfolio with Notepad, Letter Size, Black (85845)
Smead
Smead Orange File Folders, 1/3-Cut Reinforced Top Tab, Legal Size, 1 Fastener, 50/Box (17534F1)
Smead
Smead Orange File Folders, 1/3-Cut Reinforced Top Tab, Legal Size, 100/Box (17534)
Smead
Smead Orange File Folders, 1/3-Cut Top Tab (Double Ply), Letter Size, 1 Fastener, 50/Box (12534-F1)
Smead
Smead Orange File Folders, 1/3-Cut Top Tab (Double Ply), Letter Size, 100/Box (12534)
Smead
Smead Orange Letter-Size Top Tab Folders, 11-Point, 2-Ply Straight Cut Tab, 100/Box
File Folder Buying Guide
File Folders for Office, Legal, Medical & Records Filing
Shop professional file folders for drawer filing, open-shelf systems, file cabinets, records rooms, and everyday office organization. Choose from top tab, end tab, hanging, classification, expandable, pocket, fastener, plastic, and specialty folders in letter and legal sizes.
Advanced Filing Concepts has helped businesses organize physical records since 1984. We can help you compare tab position, folder size, material weight, expansion, fastener placement, divider count, and filing-system compatibility-or help match a folder you already use.
Choose in three steps:
Start Here
Shop File Folders by Type
Start with how the folders will be stored, then narrow by size, tab style, capacity, material, and document-control features.
Top Tab File Folders
For file cabinets, desk drawers, lateral files, boxes, and other systems where labels are read from above.
Shop Top Tab Folders Shelf FilingEnd Tab File Folders
For open-shelf systems, medical charts, legal files, records rooms, and color-coded side-view filing.
Shop End Tab Folders Extra CapacityExpandable File Folders
For thick reports, growing files, document sets, statements, projects, and bulky paperwork.
Shop Expandable Folders Drawer OrganizationHanging File Folders
For desk drawers, filing cabinets, rolling files, frames, and broad categories that hold individual folders.
Shop Hanging FoldersMatch the Folder to the Equipment
Top Tab vs. End Tab File Folders
The most important first choice is tab orientation. Top tab and end tab folders may hold the same paper size, but they are designed for different filing equipment.
Read From Above
Choose Top Tab
- Files are stored upright in drawers or boxes
- Labels need to remain visible from above
- Traditional office filing is already in place
- Common in desks, lateral files, cabinets, and portable boxes
Read From the Side
Choose End Tab
- Files are stored on open shelving
- Labels are read from the aisle or side
- Color coding, year labels, or barcodes need to stay visible
- Common in medical, legal, insurance, and records departments
Compare the Details
How to Choose the Right File Folder Features
Once the filing orientation is correct, compare the features that control label visibility, capacity, document security, and durability.
Tab Style
Choose top tab or end tab first, then compare straight-cut, 1/3-cut, 1/5-cut, reinforced, and specialty tab configurations.
Letter or Legal
Match the folder to 8-1/2" x 11" letter documents or 8-1/2" x 14" legal documents and compatible storage equipment.
Fasteners
Two-prong fasteners secure punched pages in a fixed order while allowing documents to be added as the record grows.
Expansion
Expandable folders and pockets provide extra capacity for thick reports, project files, statements, and growing records.
Dividers
Classification folders divide one file into multiple sections for cases, personnel files, contracts, projects, and medical records.
Material
Choose standard stock for everyday use, heavier stock or pressboard for active files, or plastic for tear and moisture resistance.
Get the Size Right
Letter-Size vs. Legal-Size File Folders
Folder size refers to the paper the folder is designed to hold-not simply the folder's outside dimensions. Confirm both the document size and the available cabinet or shelf space before ordering.
Letter-Size Folders
Typical folder width: approximately 11-3/4"
Best for office records, invoices, personnel files, correspondence, school records, and most everyday business documents.
Legal-Size Folders
Typical folder width: approximately 14-3/4"
Best for contracts, court filings, real-estate documents, government records, and other longer paperwork.
Overall folder dimensions vary by tab style, expansion, hanging rails, pockets, and manufacturer. Check the measurements on the individual product page when cabinet clearance or shelf fit is critical.
Control the Contents
Pockets, Fasteners & Dividers
Choose the internal features according to whether the file contains loose pages, punched documents, or several document groups that must stay together.
Pockets for Loose Documents
Pockets hold unpunched papers, receipts, photographs, forms, and small documents that could slip out of a standard folder.
Shop Pocket Folders →Fasteners for Secured Pages
Two-prong fasteners keep punched pages attached and in order. Common placements include the inside front and inside back covers.
Shop Folders with Fasteners →Dividers for Multi-Part Files
Built-in dividers create multiple filing sections inside one folder for legal cases, personnel records, projects, contracts, and medical records.
Shop Classification Folders →Match Durability to the Workload
File Folder Materials & Durability
Heavier material is not always necessary. Match the folder construction to document volume, handling frequency, moisture exposure, and how long the record must remain in service.
If you are replacing an existing filing system, match the material, color, tab position, size, expansion, and fastener layout before changing folder styles.
Built for Real Filing Work
File Folders for Business, Medical, Legal & Records Management
The right folder system makes paper records easier to identify, retrieve, return, train around, and maintain across departments.
Stock, Bulk & Custom
Buy File Folders for Your Existing System - or Build a Custom One
Advanced Filing Concepts supplies folders for businesses, healthcare facilities, law firms, schools, government departments, records centers, and organizations standardizing filing supplies across multiple locations.
Stock Box QuantitiesOrder commonly used styles in manufacturer-packed boxes for convenient restocking.
Bulk PurchasingMany stock folders are already priced at their best available box or quantity rate.
Custom File FoldersAdd logos, printed headings, tab copy, colors, fasteners, dividers, and other specifications.
Match an Existing FolderSend the manufacturer number, dimensions, tab position, material, fastener placement, and photographs when available.
Letter & Legal SizesChoose the document and storage size that matches the filing equipment already in use.
Free Ground Shipping $150+Qualifying stock orders of $150 or more receive free ground shipping under the current policy.
What to confirm before ordering file folders
- Whether the folders will be stored in a drawer, file box, cabinet, or open-shelf system
- Letter-size or legal-size document compatibility
- Top tab, end tab, full-cut, 1/3-cut, or 1/5-cut label placement
- Standard capacity or expandable construction
- Whether documents need pockets, fasteners, or internal dividers
- Material weight and durability required for the expected handling level
- Stock box quantity, bulk purchasing needs, or custom-printing requirements
Keep Shopping
Popular File Folder Categories
Product dimensions, box quantities, materials, colors, tab positions, and availability vary by manufacturer and item. Review the individual product page or contact us when matching an existing filing system.
File Folders FAQs - Sizes, Types, Office Uses
Letter size folders fit 8.5" x 11" paper and are the most common. Legal size folders fit 8.5" x 14" documents and are typically used in legal and government offices.
Top tab file folders are made for file drawers and file boxes where you read the label from the top. They’re common for everyday desk and cabinet filing and come in letter or legal sizes with options like fasteners and colored tabs for indexing. End tab (side tab) folders place the tab on the short side so labels are visible from the side on open-shelf systems. They’re preferred for high-density shelf filing in medical, legal, and administrative environments because they support color-coding, barcodes, and fast, side-read retrieval.
Yes. Visit our Custom Folders page to add logos, preprinted tabs, or other personalized elements with low minimums.
For long-term use, we recommend 14pt and pressboard classification folders. These are designed to handle heavy files, frequent handling, and high-volume environments without tearing or breaking down.
Yes - volume discounts are available for custom folder orders. Many of our stock file folders are already priced at their best bulk rate, and we offer free shipping on stock orders of $150 or more. Need a custom quote? Just ask — we're happy to help.
Right here. We specialize in bulk file folders for businesses, with competitive pricing on top tab, end tab, and classification folders. Most orders ship quickly from the Midwest, and custom options are available with low minimums.
