This is how I save mine at the present time. My daughter game me a laminating machine and supplies for Christmas, and I'm wondering if they would take up less space in a binder. Seems like they would.

First I sort them out and decide what the name of the file folder would be. I then scan all the patterns and put them in the named file folder on my computer. I the back up everything on an external drive. This way it keeps everything together and I have more room in my quilting room. When I want a certain pattern I just print it.

For the internet patterns, I use the clear vinyl report sheet covers that have the plastic spines that slide down one side. That way I can see the picture of the quilt without opening a binder. Then I stand those up in a shoebox sized plastic container along with bought patterns. You can get these at Walmart and maybe the dollar store. Very cheap and convenient.

I save mine in the sheet protectors also, but I had a hard time trying to find a specific pattern when I wanted it. I then got the bright idea to use a lined sheet, and wrote the names of the patterns on it, and slid that sheet under the plastic front cover. This not only helped to tell me which binder it is in, but if I remove a pattern, it tells me where to put it back. When I did this, I found that there were some patterns that I had liked so well that there were 2 or 3 of the same patterns, lol.

If its pattern downloaded from the internet, I same them in my documents. I also save picture of quilt that I like that I might consider making (if I think I can figure it our without a pattern). I put these items in a folder labeled bucket list and can always be found in My picture. I hardly ever print out anything until I'm ready to cut fabric, don't need any other papers to try to keep up with.

I used to have mine in binders till I had a water leak. Destroyed most of them as they were sitting on top of the bookcase where the water leak occurred. Now I have all my books and paper patterns (if copied from PC and placed into plastic sleeves) in my filing cabinet. I organized them by type of patterns such as "logcabins", paper-pieced" and then by designer if I have a bunch from one particular one.

I have some in a 3" binder of blocks I'm working on. Like Hunter's Star and Drunkard's Path. Couple cat patterns. Patterns that are in a few of my books and magazines are noted in the binder. Other's are on a bucket list on my PC under favorites. Paper piecing section is also in the binder.

I scan them into my computer. but I also have printed some for a binder.

Pattern saving out of control
 

My pattern saving has gotten so out of control that I gave up trying to organizing them into notebooks. I have the same prob with purchased patterns & pattern books. I finally tried tossing out some printed patterns I now have no interest in but found myself taking some back out of the wastebasket. How pathetic is that!
I want to try to sell the purchased ones & books but now I'm concerned about all of this copyright chat.
I tell my sons they'd better hope I never die because they'll have quite a job. My oldest son says "it's just stuff. We can make it go away". Keep your eyes open for the closest thrift store. LOL

Hubby got me four new binders and dividers to fill. I don't put a protector on every one. But, if I am using one, I will use a protector on it while it is out. I do use a protector if there are lose pieces that need to stay with the pattern.
And, I do separate out the ones I have paid for as a download. I feel these are in need of extra special attention to have their own binder. I love patterns!