Most standard desk staplers can be opened into a flat or “tacking” position that lets you press the stapler directly against a wall, bulletin board, or other surface and drive staples into it. The trick is finding the release mechanism, which varies by stapler model but typically involves either pulling the top arm away from the base or pressing a small metal tab near the back.
Why a Desk Stapler Works on Walls
When you staple paper normally, the metal plate on the bottom of the stapler (called the anvil) bends the staple legs inward to clinch them flat against the paper. That’s great for holding pages together, but it means the staple can’t penetrate a wall or corkboard because the anvil is in the way. Opening the stapler separates the top arm from the base, removing the anvil from the equation entirely. The staple fires straight out without anything curling the legs, so they drive directly into whatever surface you’re pressing against.
How to Open a Standard Swing-Arm Stapler
The most common desk staplers use a hinged top arm that swings upward. To open one for wall stapling:
- Pull-apart method: Hold the base firmly in one hand. With your other hand, grip the top arm near the back (where it meets the hinge) and pull it straight up and away from the base. On many models, the hinge has a second unlocked position that lets the arm swing all the way back until the stapler is completely flat, like an open book.
- Tab-release method: Some staplers have a small silver or metal tab on the underside of the stapler, toward the back. Press this tab and the top arm will pop open automatically into the tacking position.
If the arm feels stiff and won’t separate from the base, try wiggling it gently while pulling upward. Some hinges are tight out of the box. You’re not going to break it. The hinge is designed to open this way.
How to Staple Into a Wall
Once the stapler is open and flat, hold the paper, photo, or fabric against the wall where you want it. Position the front of the stapler (where the staples come out) directly over the spot, pressing it firmly against the surface. Push down hard on the top arm with your palm. The staple will fire straight into the wall without bending.
This works well on corkboard, drywall, cubicle walls, and soft wood surfaces. It won’t work on concrete, brick, or plaster, and you’ll struggle with harder woods. For those materials, you need a dedicated staple gun.
Keep in mind that desk staplers use light-duty staples designed for paper. They’ll hold up lightweight items like notices, photos, streamers, or thin fabric, but anything with real weight will pull free. The staple legs also won’t bend on the back side of the wall, so they’re easy to remove later by sliding a flat edge under the staple bridge and prying upward.
The Two Anvil Settings
While you have the stapler open, you might notice something you’ve never paid attention to: the anvil (that small metal plate on the base) can actually rotate. It has two positions. The default position has grooves that curl staple legs inward for a tight, permanent hold on paper. The second position bends the legs outward instead of inward, which is called “pinning.” Pinned staples hold pages together loosely and are much easier to pull apart by hand, similar to how a straight pin works in fabric.
This setting doesn’t matter when you’re stapling into a wall, since the anvil isn’t touching the staple at all in the open position. But it’s a useful feature to know about for everyday paper stapling when you want a temporary hold.
If Your Stapler Won’t Open
A few stapler designs don’t have a tacking mode. Compact or mini staplers sometimes lack the secondary hinge position, and electric staplers generally can’t be used this way. If you’ve tried pulling the arm up and pressing around the back for a release tab and nothing gives, your particular model likely isn’t built for it. Most full-size desk staplers from common brands do support it, though. If you’re shopping for one specifically for wall tacking, look for “tacking” or “pinning” mentioned on the packaging.
For heavier jobs or harder surfaces, a manual staple gun is a better tool. Staple guns use thicker, stronger staples and a spring-loaded mechanism that drives them with much more force than a desk stapler can manage. They’re inexpensive and available at any hardware store.