How to Choose the Right Bankers Box Literature Sorter: A 5-Step Checklist for Office Admins

If you've ever been tasked with organizing a mountain of brochures, catalogs, or reports, you know the feeling. You need a solution that's fast, cheap, and actually works. That's where literature sorters come in—specifically, the cardboard ones like Bankers Box makes. They're a total game-changer for clearing desk clutter and making frequently used documents accessible.

But here's the thing most people don't realize: not all literature sorters are created equal. From the outside, they all look like simple cardboard trays. The reality is that picking the wrong one can leave you with a wobbly mess that doesn't fit your space or hold your stuff. I've ordered these for a 150-person company across three locations, managing about $15k annually in office supplies. After consolidating vendors in 2024, I've got a system down.

This checklist is for anyone who needs to buy these things and doesn't want to waste time or money. It's the exact process I use. Five steps, no fluff. Let's get to it.

Step 1: Measure Your Actual Space (Not the Desk)

This seems obvious, but trust me, it's where everyone messes up. You look at your desk, see an empty corner, and think "that'll fit." What you need to measure is the clearance.

Grab a tape measure. You need two numbers:

1. Depth: How far back from the desk edge can the sorter go? Account for your monitor base, phone, and that coffee mug you never move.
2. Width: How much continuous space do you have? Is there a keyboard tray or a desk organizer in the way?

Here's something vendors won't tell you: the listed dimensions are for the product itself. A "12-inch wide" sorter needs more like 13 inches of clear space to slide in and out easily. I learned this the hard way in 2022 when I ordered a batch that fit perfectly… until someone tried to pull one out and knocked over a plant. Give yourself an extra inch on all sides.

Step 2: Match the Sorter Size to Your Paper Size

This is the core of it. Bankers Box sorters come in standard sizes that correspond to common paper. Don't just guess.

According to USPS (usps.com), a standard letter-size piece of mail is up to 6.125" x 11.5". That's your baseline. Here's your cheat sheet:

• Letter Size (Most Common): For standard 8.5" x 11" documents, brochures, and reports. This is your default choice.
• Legal Size: For 8.5" x 14" documents. If you're in a law office, real estate, or any field that uses legal pads, you need this size. Don't try to cram legal docs into a letter sorter; they'll stick out the top and get bent.
• Check/Deposit Slip Size: Smaller, for organizing invoices, receipts, or checks. Way more niche.

In our accounting department, we use letter size for vendor invoices and legal size for contracts. Trying to mix them was a mess—the contracts were always getting dog-eared. It's a no-brainer to get the right size from the start.

Step 3: Decide on Compartments: How Many Piles Do You Have?

Now, how many categories are you sorting? This determines if you need a 3-, 5-, or 6-compartment sorter.

Think about workflow:

• 3-compartment: Great for simple flows: In, Processing, Out. Or Pending, Approved, Filed.
• 5 or 6-compartment: Ideal for sorting by day of the week, priority level (Urgent, High, Medium, Low, Archive), or by project/client.

I have mixed feelings about the giant 6-compartment ones. On one hand, they're super organized. On the other, they take up a ton of desk space and can feel overwhelming. For a shared resource in a copy room, a 5-compartment sorter labeled Monday-Friday works brilliantly. For an individual desk, a 3-compartment is usually way more than enough.

Step 4: Consider the "Extras" (The One Everyone Forgets)

This step is about the small features that make a big difference in daily use. Most people just look at size and compartments and click buy.

1. Label Holders: Does it have a clear plastic tab for a label? This is huge. A labeled sorter gets used correctly. An unlabeled one becomes a catch-all for junk. Some Bankers Box models have this built-in; for others, you'll need clip-on labels.
2. Handholds: Are there cut-out handles on the sides? Makes it much easier to carry when it's full, especially if you're moving it to a shredding bin or archive box.
3. Finish: Some have a more durable, coated finish that resists scuffs and spills better than plain cardboard. If it's going in a high-traffic area or a kitchenette, consider the upgrade.

In our 2024 office refresh, we skipped the label holders to save $0.50 per unit. Big mistake. Within a week, people were using the "Client Proposals" sorter for takeout menus. Now I always spec the version with labels. (Note to self: never compromise on usability for tiny cost savings).

Step 5: Plan for the End of Life (Recycling)

These are cardboard. They won't last forever, and that's okay—it's part of their appeal. But you should think about disposal before you buy.

Check your local recycling guidelines. Per FTC Green Guides, a product can be marketed as "recyclable" if it's recyclable where at least 60% of consumers have access. Most curbside programs accept corrugated cardboard.

Here's your action item: When the sorter gets dingy, worn, or a compartment collapses (after a year or two of heavy use), break it down flat. Remove any plastic label holders if they're not recyclable. Toss it in the cardboard bin. That's it. The beauty of the Bankers Box system is the simplicity. You're not stuck with a bulky plastic bin forever.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Let me save you some headaches I've already had:

• Don't Overload Them. They're for sorting active papers, not for long-term storage. If a compartment is stuffed, the dividers will bow and fail. For archiving, use a full-size Bankers Box storage box.
• Verify the Vendor's Stock. These are common, but sometimes specific sizes go on backorder. I once ordered 20 legal-size sorters only to find they were 4 weeks out. Always check estimated ship dates if you need them fast.
• Think Beyond the Desk. They're also great on mailroom tables, library carts, or in conference rooms to hold agendas. Measure those spaces too.

Bottom line: picking the right literature sorter is about matching a simple tool to a specific job. Measure your space, match your paper size, pick your compartments, don't forget the labels, and have a recycle plan. Do those five things, and you'll get it right the first time. No more wobbly, overstuffed paper piles. Just a clean, functional desk.

Prices and product specs are based on major retailer listings as of January 2025; always verify current details before ordering.