Papers where your eyes can find them
Typing from a sheet of paper flat on the desk means looking down at the page, up at the screen and down again, all day. The Health and Safety Executive suggests a document holder for anyone who works from papers as well as a screen, to avoid awkward neck and eye movements. A holder keeps the page upright beside the screen, at roughly the same distance and height, so your eyes move across rather than up and down.
What is in this range
- A4 document stands that hold a sheet upright beside the screen. One has a clip with a line guide that you slide down the page to keep your place while you type, and several tilt to a set number of positions.
- Rotating document holders, sold as a pair, with clamps that turn so either side of a sheet can face you.
- Book and reading stands in metal, wood and plastic, with arms that hold the pages open and several tilt angles, for textbooks, manuals, sheet music and recipes. Some fold flat.
- A three-tier mesh letter tray for incoming post, receipts and papers to deal with.
- An expanding file with 13 tabbed pockets for keeping A4 paperwork sorted.
How to choose
What you read from. Single sheets want an A4 stand with a clip. Thick books want a book stand with page arms and a deep ledge.
Where it goes. Set the holder beside the screen, on the side you turn to least awkwardly, at roughly the same distance as the screen. If your screen is on a monitor riser or a laptop stand, a holder that tilts or stands taller keeps the page near the same height.
Copy typing. If you type a lot from paper, a line guide saves losing your place.
The HSE's guidance puts the top of the screen level with your eyes and about an arm's length away. The guide to setting up a laptop desk covers the screen, the chair and the light.
Questions people ask about document holders
Which side of the screen should a document holder go?
Either, close beside the screen and at the same distance. Put it between you and the screen only if most of your work is reading from paper.
Can a book stand hold a tablet?
Several of the stands here say they hold a tablet as well as a book. Check the ledge is deep enough for it.
How long does delivery take?
Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when it usually arrives.
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