I would archive the magazines in clearly and detailed-ly labeled boxes assuming you won't have need of them in the near future. As for large items, could you not file them in a bin of some sort? I have in mind the way poster prints are displayed in arts and crafts stores such as Michael's and Hobby Lobby. If you don't have any bin to put the things in, perhaps you could make a simple one out of plexiglass or perhaps they would stand up on their own and you could "file" them against a wall. I think that you are clinging to the concept of filing reference material in file folders. This is the way The David talks about reference. But he apparently doesn't have printed graphic design projects knocking around to deal with. The thing is, you need to know where it is when you need it. A file cabinet is convenient and a logical way to achieve this with bits of paper, but there's nothing saying you can't have your "large reference" file against the wall or in a closet as long as it works.

I have a ton of books from school, which I consider reference material. This includes photocopied coursepacks of readings and other smaller things. If I were to have the same "problem" that you are having I would be trying to file my several hundred page books in file folders, which just doesn't make sense.

The magazines I'm talking about are actually vintage copies of LIFE and such, that an old girlfriend got me a few years ago, and I'm almost afraid to put them in the bookshelf, since I'm afraid they'd be damaged or something.

As for the large paper items, I really should get a flat file, as I could store drawings and such in it, but those are pretty expensive, even on eBay. I would have no way to transport it, and I don't really have room to put it in my house.

Hrm... :-/

Oh, and as to your "silly example" all my coursepacks and things from college are in a big Rubbermaid bin whose lid I've misplaced.

In that case, it seems like you won't be needing them very often. I would suggest getting some sheet protectors and putting the magazines in there (They'll fit.) and then put them all in a large binder. Then, you could put that in a new rubbermaid with a lid. ;)

I don't get how those are supposed to work. :confused: They look like a terrible product; I can't imagine who would need one of those!

I think they were invented by architects to store blueprints and other large items that don't survive well stored upright.

Paintings are meant to be hung on walls - that's really the best way to store them. If you can't do that, store them upright anyway, not flat.

Drawings on paper, unless they're framed, should be stored flat. Stored upright, they start to curl.
I suppose I could roll the paper items, but I don't like what that does to paper, either.

Two ways I've seen large-format drawings stored: hanging vertically.

If one were woodworking-inclined, it wouldn't be too difficult to make a flat file from some kind of engineered wood (plywood, MDF, etc.) and some drawer slides. But the easiest by far would be the vertical option. I'd think if your papers could stand some pressure on the edges, that you could hang lots of stuff vertically with a combination of side clip report covers and some string or wire. You'd probably want to superglue a strip of something stiff across the top of the clips so that they'll act like one giant clip. Add plastic bags from the dry cleaner if you needed dust protection.

I may end up making something myself. Thanks for the suggestions! I've bookmarked your links to del.icio.us.