Clipboards & Clipfolders: An Aussie Buying Guide

Clipboards earn their place on the desk

Clipboards and clipfolders are one of the quiet workhorses of any well-run workplace. A sturdy A4 clipboard keeps paperwork in order on stocktakes, ward rounds, and school excursions, while a clipfolder adds a cover for documents you'd rather not flash around the floor. Both styles are stocked at The Stationery Store, including traditional cardboard-backed boards and colourful modern clipfolders from trusted brands like Marbig.

Why clipboards matter for offices, schools and hospitals

Plenty of Australian teams rely on clipboards every week. Operations and admin staff at small-to-medium offices use them for floor walks, equipment audits, and supplier sign-offs. Australian schools reach for them on roll call, sports carnivals, library inventories, and excursion headcounts. In hospitals, administrative staff use clipboards for ward planning, supply rounds, signage, and handover sheets where a laptop or phone would get in the way. The right board makes the work cleaner and the day a little easier — and it is the kind of decision you only have to make once for a long stretch of use. Choosing well means matching the format to how the team actually works, not just grabbing whatever is closest to the till.

Features and benefits to look for

The range at The Stationery Store covers two core formats. Cardboard-backed clipboards are flat, lightweight, and wallet-friendly, built around a solid metal clip that holds A4 documents firmly. Clipfolders add a front cover that flips over the page, which protects what is underneath and keeps prying eyes off sensitive notes. Some clipfolders include features such as hanging loops, internal pockets, and stands that prop the board upright for hands-free reading.

Look for a solid metal clip that grips without crumpling the page, a hanging loop for hooking onto pegboards or storeroom hooks, a front cover for privacy and a more professional finish, and an integrated stand if you will be reading checklists hands-free. Modern clipfolders also come in a range of colours, which makes role allocation or department coding quick at a glance — useful for any team that hands boards out daily.

Office use: floor walks, audits and sign-offs

Operations and admin teams often carry a clipboard during stock checks, equipment audits, supplier walk-throughs, and asset tracking. A cardboard-backed board is fine for general note-taking, but a clipfolder is the better fit when sign-off sheets include staff names, vendor contracts, or cost-centre details that should not be visible to passing colleagues. Pair it with a comfortable pen — ideally one that will not smudge while you are standing — and you have a portable workstation that fits under one arm. For meeting rooms, keep a couple of clipboards on hand for visitors who arrive without notebooks; it is a small touch that signals a tidy, well-run office.

Classroom use: rolls, carnivals and library days

Teachers know the realities of school stationery: it gets dropped, splashed, sat on, and squeezed into a tote with a thermos. A cardboard-backed clipboard is the practical choice for everyday classroom and playground use because it is light and easy to replace. Use it for roll calls, sports carnivals, library audits, excursion headcounts, and quick observations during group work. Keep a clipfolder in reserve for parent-teacher interviews and student notes that move between staffroom and classroom — the cover gives a small but meaningful layer of privacy. For relief teachers, a labelled clipboard with the day's plan, fire procedures, and roll attached is one of the kindest handovers a school can give.

Healthcare use: ward admin and planning

Hospital corridors and ward offices are demanding environments. Clipboards are common for ward planning, supply rounds, handover prompts, signage at the nurses' station, visitor logs, and admin meetings where laptops are not appropriate. A clipfolder with a front cover suits any document that should stay covered between locations — think rostering sheets, induction packs, or general administrative paperwork. Choose a board with a wipeable surface where possible, and consider allocating boards to specific zones to support cleaning routines. Clipboards are not medical devices and they are not a substitute for clinical documentation systems; treat them as the admin and planning tool they are. For ward education boards, a clipfolder with a stand is a tidy way to display rotating notices.

Quick tips: how to choose the right clipboard

Three small decisions go a long way. First, think about whether you carry the board between locations every day; if yes, a hanging loop and lighter materials matter. Second, consider how sensitive the documents on the board will be — if you would hesitate to leave them face-up on a desk, choose a clipfolder with a cover. Third, decide whether you will use the board hands-free for reading; if you would, a model with a stand pays dividends. For larger teams, mixing styles is sensible: a stack of cardboard-backed boards for daily use, plus a smaller set of clipfolders for confidential paperwork. Avoid overloading the clip — most are designed for around ten to twenty sheets, and forcing in thicker reams shortens the spring's life over time.

Find your next clipboard or clipfolder

Browse the full clipboards and clipfolders range at The Stationery Store, with options from brands including Marbig. Whether you are kitting out a single reception desk, a primary school staffroom, or an entire ward office, the right clipboard or clipfolder quietly makes the day run more smoothly.