Discbound Notebooks - Arc Punched Paper On Atoma Rings?

[r3nekton]

Hi All,

 

I hope this is the right place to ask something like this. Looking to get a bit more organisation in my work life and have been looking at discbound notebook systems. I like the Atoma Al rings just because I have a bit more faith in metal (and the workshop tends to lead to hard plastic items cracking sooner or later), and I'm keen to be able to punch my own pages for putting in invoices, printed blueprints, etc.

 

I've spent a couple of hours online hunting, and can't really seem to find a clear, straightforward answer to my query, so I'm hoping someone here knows - how well do Staples Arc punched pages work on Atoma rings? The Staples punch is cheaper (and I can buy it in Norway, while an Atoma punch will end up hitting me with a huge customs bill), so I'm hoping this can work. I've seen a lot saying the systems are "compatible", but also quite a few comments saying "it's not perfect", without going into exactly what the issues are. Or giving in-depth descriptions, but for Atoma paper on Staples rings, which holds no interest to me.

 

So - does Staples punching work on Atoma? If so, do the pages turn reasonably smoothly, is there frequent tearing, or anything else I should keep in mind before making the combination?

 

Thanks

[BaronWulfraed]

I'm not sure what they are comparing against...

 

Rings

The A4 Atoma Notebook has eleven rings, while most of the imitations use twelve rings.

 

I'm not up on the DIN A# sizes, Levenger Circa (US) Letter is an 11-disc format (and Levenger does sell aluminum disks in various colors). OfficeMax/OfficeDepot TUL (US) Letter is also 11-disc, Haven't bought a Staples variant for comparison. The Circa and TUL have identical spacings.

 

As I recall, DIN A# sizes tend to run about an inch taller, and an inch narrower, than closest US paper size. If the Atoma 11 discs are at the same spacing as Circa/TUL, it would mean there is more overhang at the top and bottom -- but punches and disc sets would be compatible (Levenger sells discs in sets of 11).

 

You'll likely want a heavy-weight paper stock if making your own -- Levenger sells pre-punched 60lb (and some are listed as 90gsm) for their stocks (Strathmore 60lb sketching paper on Amazon is listed as 89gsm in parenthesis -- not that one would use that for daily writing). Thinner stock might not be as lasting if you do much movement of pages.

 

 

Can Any Type of Notebook Paper Be Used in the Notebooks?
Standard-sized paper may need to be trimmed down and hole-punched to accommodate the notebook's page formatting. Since Arc papers are also heavier in weight than regular notebook paper, users may find it easier and more economical to use papers specifically designed for use with the Arc customizable notebook system.

[Inkysloth]

Yep. I use Atoma rings & covers with a Staples Arc punch, and it works fine.

[amberleadavis]

The pictures didn't show up. BUMMER

[BaronWulfraed]

The pictures didn't show up. BUMMER

If that's with regards to the cut&paste quote -- I suspect the image was just the red backdrop at https://www.atoma.be/en/content/14-create-your-notebook... or a tracking file (I get a broken image icon on that web page, which disappears if I hit "reload image")

Edited March 22, 2019 by BaronWulfraed

[Conan the Grammarian]

The Staples Arc discbound notebook system is compatible with Offiice Max/Depot Tul system and the Levenger Circa system (levenger.com). As mentioned above, Levenger sells aluminum discs for its system. Levenger is typically much more expensive than the otters, but offers a wider variety of refills and accessories. The Levenger punch also makes a larger mushroom, making the pages easier to turn.

[amberleadavis]

Thanks, Conan, that's good to know.