There are many types of dividers that businesses and offices can use, making their office more efficient. An office needs plenty of notebook and file cabinet dividers for organizing documents. But there are also room dividers that separate one large room into multiple work stations quickly and easily.

Whether you're looking for they right type of notebook divider, file cabinet divider or room divider, making the most of dividers is important. You want all your dividers to last as long as possible. To do this, you can:

1. Use laminated dividers with replaceable or reusable tab labels.

2. Turn file folders into dividers for file cabinets with customized index tabs.

3. Make the office versatile with highly mobile room dividers.

Action Steps
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Stock paper dividers with erasable and reusable tabs

Most notebook dividers are disposable. But a thrifty business won't waste anything that isn't necessary. If your dividers can be relabeled thanks to tabs you can erase or reuse, you won't have to replace them as often.

I recommend: OfficeMax carries its own line of dividers with durable and erasable tabs for multiple use. Compare features to get the best product for your intended use. OnTimeSupplies.com has multiple brands of dividers, including translucent binders that are erasable for rewriting. Review each product description in more detail to see what's best for you. Get useful tips from Avery's website on how to improve file organization through removable labels and other useful organizing tips.

Buy notebook dividers that are laminated or made of sturdy material

The more durable and better quality your dividers are, the longer they will last. Get laminated dividers or ones bound with material like leather, and they'll go a long way. They also add a more professional look to your organization.

I recommend: Green Light Office Products carries several laminated and leather-bound dividers which are pre-printed for easy A to Z organizing. InstaOffice has laminated tab dividers labeled both alphabetically and numerically. Laminate your current dividers with hints from Gall Laminating.

Make custom divider tabs and labels to turn file folders into file cabinet dividers

You won't need actual file cabinet dividers if you can turn your file folders into them. Adding the right custom tabs and labels to your folders allows you to efficiently use what you already have on hand.

I recommend: Online Labels has tips on using labels to turn folders into dividers. The Computor Companion explains how to use Microsoft Word Mail Merge with printable labels to transform your file folders.

Find modular room dividers to build and organize office space

Getting room partitions that are easily mobile makes your office versatile. You can set and reset work stations as you see fit. It also makes exhibit booths for trade shows and conventions easier to set up and dismantle.

I recommend: Screenflex has mobile and freestanding room dividers for organizing office space and setting up exhibit booths. Compare product features to make the most out of your what you need. DVider sells room partitions for dividing rooms in several different ways, and they're easily disassembled and stored. DVider offers instruction on how to set up room dividers as well. Review Maxon's website for help and tips on how workstation and cubicle panels can be applied to mobile partitions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Use the same partitions and room dividers for exhibit booths that you use for work stations. It simplifies your setup procedure and shows off your business style to the public.

Dividers cover a gamut of needs in an office environment—from paper dividers to room partitions. A divider of any sort promotes organization, both in your filing system and the set up of your office. In this day and age, you're not limited to the same dividers every other company has; you can create a unique organizational system.

Document dividers create a professional, organized business presentation. They separate each section of your presentation or notes, keeping each idea from running into the next. By affixing tabs on each of the paper dividers, you can quickly find what you need. Go one step further with color-coded tabs. When using dividers to organize your office space, office partitions can separate employees' desks and other work areas, such as the copy and fax machine area.

When considering dividers:

1. Choose paper dividers made of post-consumer waste to lessen your company's environmental imprint.

2. Create you own dividers for personalized organization.

3. Divide out your office space for maximum flow and efficiency.

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Go Green--choose recycled paper dividers

Imagine how much paper is wasted every year in the US. Your company has the opportunity to make a difference by ordering recycled paper office supplies. Environmentally-friendly notebook dividers are made of recycled card stock, so they're just as durable as other dividers for file cabinets.

I recommend: BlumbergExcelsior, Inc. sells notebook dividers and file cabinet dividers that are made of 20% post consumer waste. They’re printed with guidelines for tab placement and come with two holes punched on top of each sheet. TheGreenOffice.com sells divider retabs that are made of 100% recycled fibers.

Customize document dividers for a professional and organized outcome

Custom tabs for paper dividers come in clear or a variety of colors, so they match or coordinate with any binder specification. Affix to any sort of paper divider or notebook divider system you have. They even work as labels on file cabinet dividers.

I recommend: Avery Dennison Corporation sells a kit that allows you to make your own clear paper dividers. The benefit of going this route is you can customize your filing system with professional results. Plus, it's easy to do with instructions included in the package. VIP Presentation Products also sells custom divider tabs. VIP takes all the guesswork out of paper index tabs. In addition to the services traditional companies offer, VIP will typeset your tab titles for free.

Create separate office functions with room dividers

Room dividers come in a variety of colors and styles. Most are made of three or four folds, held together by hinges. They stand up in a zigzag pattern, somewhat like an accordion. They don't achieve complete room separation like a wall does, but they provide some privacy between employees' desks or sections of the office.

I recommend: RoomDividerStore sells room dividers that are made with metal or wood frames and covered with canvas or plexiglass screens. Design your own room divider at The Sliding Door Company. Choose your framing material, glass, design, features, quality and measurements for a unique look.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you're looking for cheap office dividers, check out your local office supply store.

Saving money on dividers goes beyond just the initial cost of the divider. Ongoing ways to save include buying in bulk, buying closeout items, purchasing seconds, and buying reusable items. When it comes to room dividers, this also includes buying insulated dividers to save on energy costs.

Look for companies that offer free or low-cost shipping when you purchase your dividers online or by catalog. Ask about any unadvertised sales. If you have purchased from a company before, ask about a repeat customer discount. Consider the following when saving money on dividers:

1. Purchase paper dividers in bulk and save money.

2. Buy a portable room divider and save with reuse.

3. Select insulated room dividers and save on energy costs.

Action Steps
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Get file cabinet dividers at bulk prices

Document dividers of all kinds are available at bulk prices. Many companies offer free shipping in the U.S., so check out that feature. Don't forget to look at erasable and reusable paper divider tabs to cut down how many to purchase.

I recommend: InstaOffice sells custom divider tabs and regular divider tabs in bulk. They also offer erasable tab indexes and free shipping. On Time Supplies offers bulk big tab paper dividers and free shipping. Dollar Days offers closeouts and liquidations on notebook dividers. Check back often, as the lots change frequently.

Pick portable cheap office dividers that assemble easily

When you need dividers to create a special temporary room, consider flexible portable dividers. These units easily assemble to make the room and disassemble just as easily. There are no tracks to worry about with most portable dividers, and since they go where you go, they save you money with reuse.

I recommend: Office Liquidators offers portable room dividers that are not complicated to set up or take down. Save money by using these repeatedly in different settings. Room Dividers sells room dividers that come in single-panel pieces and easily assemble and disassemble as needed. Screenflex offers portable room dividers that setup and come down easily. They offer room dividers for churches and businesses in various heights and colors.

Find insulated cheap office partitions that save on energy costs

Use insulated office and warehouse dividers to keep your electric costs down. Although these dividers cost a bit more up front, the ongoing savings will pay back that cost in a very short time.

I recommend: Steel Guard Safety Products sells dividers to partition off unused portions of your warehouse. This saves money on heating and cooling these unused sections. Farmtek offers insulated room dividers. They are low cost and keep energy prices down as well. EverClear Windows also offers insulated room dividers to keep in heat or cold. Save on heating and cooling costs with these insulated dividers.

Dividers are great organizational tools for any business. Whether you are using room dividers to divide your office space, or you are using paper dividers to keep your files organized, or you are using notebook dividers for a professional presentation, dividers come in handy in many ways for many organizational purposes.

In your search for dividers, it is important to research and compare the different types of dividers and their uses. To learn how to use different types of dividers for various purposes, check out the following dividers applications and uses:

1. Room dividers can help you divide your office into productive, usable space while limiting distractions.
2. Paper dividers work for many purposes, including maintaining charts, files, notebooks and more.
3. Customized divider tabs come in handy for notebook dividers and add a professional touch to presentations.
   

Action Steps
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Use room dividers to increase employee productivity

Room dividers can be used to help you set up your office space. Help your employees be productive and keep distractions to a minimum by using room dividers to make individual cubicles for your employees. Use cheap office partitions to distinguish the waiting or reception area of your business from the rest of your office space.

I recommend: National Business Furniture will help you set up your office for optimum productivity using room dividers to make individual cubicles for your employees. Check out iRoomDividers.com, which offers cheap office partitions for all of your room dividing needs, including dividing your office from your reception area.

Find out how to use paper dividers to maintain your patients' charts

Maintain your charts in a medical setting with paper dividers. Whether you use a paper divider for a notebook divider or as file cabinet dividers, paper dividers can help you keep your patients' charts organized and easily accessible.

I recommend: Check out First Healthcare Products to see how paper and poly dividers can help you maintain your patients' charts, or look at the Filing Supplies Shop to see the different ways you can use dividers to set up your patients' medical charts.

Customize dividers and divider tabs for the best organization

Custom divider tabs can be used by businesses anywhere. They come in handy to help you organize filing systems that are unique to your business, or they can add a professional touch to presentations. Custom dividers allow you to organize presentations, filing systems and notebooks with ease.

I recommend: Avery Dennison offers an explanation on how you can use custom divider tabs to organize professional presentations, while American Corporate Services explains all the ways you can use custom dividers in your business.