Safco Flat Files – Durable & Professional Storage for Artists

Give your studio a clean, professional backbone with Safco flat files. From welded-steel flat files to modular stacking trays and vertical art racks, these pieces are built for daily handling, clear labelling, and fast retrieval. Below you'll find model-by-model guidance to help you choose the right Safco setup for your space and the way you work.

Safco 5-Drawer Steel Flat Files

Built for heavy use

Safco's 5-drawer steel flat files are the classic choice when you need strong, stable storage that opens and closes smoothly throughout the day. Drawers glide smoothly even under a full load, edges stay protected as you slide sheets in and out, and the steel case resists flexing. Stack two units with a base to create a waist-high work surface that doubles as a layout or framing bench.

Highlights

• Rigid steel case for long service life
• Full-extension drawers for easy viewing and gentle handling
• Protective depressors and back stops to keep stacks flat and aligned
• Label holders for quick identification across multiple drawers
• Stackable with compatible bases for vertical growth

Best for

Archival-minded storage of drawings, editioned prints, posters, maps, large photographs, and works-in-progress that should lie flat between sessions.

Safco Facil Flat Files

The budget-savvy steel option

Safco Facil delivers the essentials: smooth drawers, clean labelling, and stackable flexibility at a more affordable price. It's a smart fit for classrooms, shared studios, and designers who want dependable flat storage without the added weight.

Highlights

• Durable steel construction with a lighter footprint
• Labelable drawers to separate classes, projects, or clients
• Stackable design with optional bases for height control
• Clean, simple hardware that blends with mixed studio furniture

Best for

Schools, community studios, and budget-conscious artists who need reliable flat storage, quick indexing, and room to expand over time.

Safco Giant Stacking Trays

Modular flat storage that grows with you

Giant Stacking Trays build a flat-file style system one layer at a time. They're perfect when you need capacity quickly or want to keep works-in-progress near a press, drawing table, or printer.

Why artists choose them

• Rigid trays stack securely into space-saving towers
• Generous internal clearance for interleaving sheets and proofs
• Strong load capacity per tier for heavy paper and mounted work
• Easy to break down for moves, pop-ups, or reconfigurations

Best for

Print shops, student studios, and any workspace that benefits from reconfigurable, low-cost flat storage you can place exactly where it's needed.

Safco Art Rack

Upright Organization For Rigid Materials

Safco's Art Rack stores boards, panels, and portfolios vertically, making them easier to sort and less likely to warp. Individual bays keep jobs, clients, or series clearly separated and ready to grab.

Highlights

• Multiple vertical compartments formed by sturdy dividers
• Label-friendly channels for glanceable organisation
• Stable footprint for shared or high-traffic spaces
• Ideal companion to a flat-file bank: flat for paper, vertical for boards

Best for

Framing shops, photographers with mounting workflows, and artists who keep large boards or panels staged between sessions.

How to Choose the Right Safco Flat Files for Your Workflow?

Quick recommendations

• Opt for welded steel if you frequently open drawers and require long-term rigidity: select the 5-Drawer Steel Flat Files.
• Choose Facil for dependable, everyday flat storage on a budget, with labelable drawers and stackable growth.
• Pick Giant Stacking Trays for modular capacity, proofing cycles, and flexible placement near equipment.
• Add an Art Rack when you also store foam-core, mount boards, panels, or portfolio cases upright.

Space planning tips

• Use a riser base under stacked 5-drawer units for ergonomic height and toe clearance.
• Combine one shallow stack for editions with one deeper area (or a tray tower) for folders and backers.
• Park an Art Rack at the end of your flat-file row to stage boards for framing, mounting, or packaging.

Buying Checklist for Safco Flat Files

Confirm Your Formats

• Primary sheet sizes (18×24, 22×30, 24×36, 30×42, A-series)
• Clearance for interleaving (glassine/Mylar) and rigid backers
• Need for oversize storage or occasional large sheets

Choose Your Build

• 5-Drawer Steel for premium strength and daily access
• Facil for cost-effective, stackable flat storage
• Stacking Trays for modular tiers and WIP staging
• Art Rack for vertical boards, panels, and cases

Plan the Footprint

• Floor space and full-extension clearance in front of drawers
• Desired working height if stacking two 5-drawer units with a base
• Access lanes for carts, presses, or large-format printers

Labeling & Inventory

• Consistent drawer labels (size/series/date) and a master map card
• Colour dots to code projects or media at a glance
• A simple inventory in Excel, Airtable, or Notion to track location and status

How to Set Up & Care?

Assembly & Placement

Set cabinets on a level floor so drawers track smoothly. If stacking, align the corner guides or manufacturer tabs and secure as instructed. Keep the top clear so dusting is easy and visitors don't treat it as a shelf.

Protecting Surfaces

Interleave charcoal, pastel, and richly inked pieces with glassine. The folder features small works inside rigid sleeves, preventing anything from sliding under larger sheets. Let varnishes and inks cure fully before filing to prevent sticking.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Wipe steel exteriors with a soft, barely damp cloth and dry immediately. Gently dust wood finishes; avoid using abrasives. Vacuum beneath and behind units to limit dust migration. If a drawer drags, clear the slide rather than forcing it to move.

Where to buy Safco flat files?

Blick Art Materials and Amazon offer a distinct variety of Safco flat files, providing consistent delivery and easy reordering, which helps meet the expansion of studio and classroom requirements.

• Blick Art Materials offers a broad line of products from Safco. On the product pages, you can find specifications and photos. Educator pricing is given to institutional buyers. Freight coordination is done for studios and schools.
• Amazon offers a wide Safco distribution. The majority of the listings include quick delivery. Reviews on aggregate influence selection. The return policies support small orders and replacements.

FAQs

Which Safco Flat File Is Best for Constant Daily Access?

Choose the 5-Drawer Steel Flat Files for the smoothest action, robust rigidity, and stackable growth with riser bases.

What's a Smart Starter Choice for a Classroom?

Facil Flat Files balance cost, durability, and labelling. Start with one stack and add another as storage needs expand.

How Do I Store Rigid Materials, Such as Foam-Core and Panels?

Add a Safco Art Rack beside your flat files. Label each compartment so that jobs and clients are kept separate and easily accessible.