Crazy thing happened when I pressed on the ends on this clip...it opened. When I stopped pressing it closed. WOW I thought. Then it occurred to me what if I put something like pieces of paper in between the clips. Problem I couldn’t put these pieces of paper between the clips without applying pressure on the ends. So I came up with a great idea while I’m applying pressure to the ends of the clips simultaneously I’ll put the pieces of paper between the openings it still didn’t work UNTIL I stopped applying pressure then it closed. So without directions I applied pressure inserted the paper stopped applying pressure to the clips and it worked holding the papers together. I was so happy I bought the bigger clips fortunately i remembered my procedures and it worked. I recommend buying this product. Who knows I might go crazy and buy the smaller clips next time.