Abstract: A tool and a method of using the tool for organizing a vertically stacked pile of thin items. The method involves the steps of (i) obtaining a plurality of separator plates, each having at least one edge tab bearing indicia descriptive of a defined class of thin items, (ii) placing a thin item belonging to one of the defined classes of items either (a) atop that separator plate bearing indicia descriptive of the class to which the thin item belongs and underneath any other separator plates positioned above that separator plate, or (b) underneath that separator plate bearing indicia descriptive of the class to which the thin item belongs and atop any other separator plate positioned below that separator plate, and then (iii) repeating step (b), with a consistent selection of subpart (a) or (b) of step (ii), for a plurality of thin items.