Prong folders are available with three prongs, located along the spine of the folder, or two prongs located at the top of the folder. Three-pronged folders are some of the most common for schoolwork. Two-pronged folders are used most often for medical and legal paperwork. Insert paper that fits within the folder to keep it the most protected. Most folders are meant to fit letter-sized paper but some folders fit legal-sized paper.

Three-pronged

Open the folder.

Bend the prongs out so that they are each straight and the sides of the prongs are together. If there is an extra strip with holes across from the prongs, be sure the prongs are released from it.

Place three-hole punched paper on the prongs, between the extra strip and the prongs. The top prong goes through the top hole, second prong goes through the middle hole and the bottom prong goes through the bottom hole.

Push the prongs through the holes of the extra strip. This will help hold in the papers in the folder.

Pull prongs apart so that each side of each prong lies flat against the strip. If there is no strip, make sure that the sides of the prongs lie flat against the papers you have inserted.

Two-pronged folder

Place the folder on a flat surface.

Pull the prongs out so that they are facing straight up.

Place two-hole punched paper through each prong. The left hole goes through the left prong and the right hole goes through the right prong.

Flatten and spread each prong to hold the papers in.