What is a Legal Pad?
A legal pad is a type of writing paper that is defined by a vertical line, known as the “down line,” drawn 1-1/4″ from the left edge of the page. While the traditional legal pad used to feature yellow paper, blue horizontal lines, and a red vertical line, the appearance has evolved over time. Today, a legal pad can come in various colors and designs, as long as it adheres to the fundamental requirement of having a down line.
Legal Pad Sizes
Legal pads are available in four different sizes in North America, catering to different preferences. These sizes are:
- A6 Size: 4-3/25″ wide x 5-22/25″ long
- Junior Legal Size: 5″ wide x 8″ long
- Legal Size: 8-1/2″ wide x 14″ long
- Letter Size: 8-1/2″ wide x 11″ long
These options ensure that you can find the perfect size to suit your needs.
Understanding Ruling on a Legal Pad
When we refer to “ruling” on a legal pad, we are talking about the horizontal lines on the paper. However, it’s important to note that ruling can vary in width, resulting in different line spacing and the number of lines on each page.
Ruling Width Options
In North America, there are three common ruling widths available for legal pads:
-
Wide Ruled (or Legal Ruled):
- Line spacing: 11/32″
- Suitable for those who write large
- Often used in American grade schools
-
Medium Ruled (or College Ruled):
- Line spacing: 9/32″
- Offers more lines on each page compared to wide ruled
- Widely used in the United States
-
Narrow Ruled:
- Line spacing: 1/4″
- Provides the highest number of lines on each page
- Ideal for those who write small or need more lines per page
Remember, regardless of the ruling width, all legal pads will have a 1-1/4″ vertical line on the left side to create a margin.
Color Options for Legal Pads
Contrary to popular belief, legal pads are not limited to yellow paper. The original legal pads were yellow, but today, you have a plethora of color options to choose from. Some of the colors available include yellow (also called Canary), white, blue, gray, green, ivory, orchid, and pink. So, feel free to express your personality and preferences with a legal pad in your favorite color.
The next time someone asks you to order legal pads, make sure to gather the following information:
- Paper size: Do they want Letter, Legal, Junior Legal, or A6 paper?
- Ruling preference: Are they looking for wide, medium, or narrow ruling?
- Color preference: Which color would they like the paper to be?
By providing these details, you can ensure that you order the perfect legal pad to meet their needs.
Choose Garrity Traina as Your Legal Pad Supplier
At Garrity Traina, we take pride in being your trusted supplier of office supplies, including legal pads. With a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, we offer a wide selection of legal pads in various sizes, ruling widths, and colors. Visit Garrity Traina today to explore our range of products and set up your customer account.
Remember, when it comes to legal pads, we’ve got you covered!
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.