Before you can open up your business, you'll need to hit the office needs section of your local store. There are things you'll need to get the job done.
Are you looking for ways to run your office more efficiently?
If you want an efficient office, you need to have the right office supplies. But, deciding on what office supplies you truly need can be tricky. Office supplies can be very expensive, and you don't want to waste part of your budget on things that are just going to end up collecting dust in the supply closet.
So, which supplies do you need?
Check out this guide to discover the top office needs that no business can live without.
1. Desk Supplies
If you're just starting to build your office supplies inventory, then we suggest starting with desk supplies. Most desk items are affordable, and they'll help you get through the first days of your business as you work on bringing in larger office supply items.
Plus, the right desk supplies will help keep your employees productive. Here's what you need in terms of desk supplies:
Pens and pencils
Scotch tape
Highlighters
Stapler and staples
Paper clips
Trash can
Erasers
Rubber bands
Stamp pads and ink for stamp pads (or self inking stamps)
Notepads
Scissors
Planners
Markers
By having these items at each desk, you'll prevent the need for employees to scrounge the office every time they're in need of office supplies.
2. Paper
If you've ever watched the television show the office, then you know that all kinds of businesses need a solid supply of paper to run efficiently.
Keep in mind, you're likely going to need more than just your standard computer paper to run an efficient office. You're also going to need:
Tracing paper
Graph paper
Three-hole punch paper
Letterhead
Wrapping paper
Color card stock
Carbon paper
Envelopes and greeting cards
Business cards
Heavy-duty card stock
Scratch paper
Sticky notes
Fax paper
Colored paper
Spiraled notebooks
Pocket notebooks
Writing pads
As you can see, there are all kinds of different paper products you may need for your office. In fact, the average office worker generates two pounds of paper and paper products each day. Throughout the course of the year, the average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of paper!
This is a crazy amount of paper, so if you're trying to create an eco-friendly office, we suggest setting up recycling bins next to all of your trash cans. There are also strategies you can employ to use less paper. For example, you can encourage your employees to print on both sides of the paper and to edit items before printing.
3. Supplies for Filing
In order to keep your office organized, you need to have a good filing system in place. To have a good filing system, you need the right filing supplies.
Here are some items you should stock your office with:
Hanging file folders
Manila filing folders
File labels
Pocket folders
Folder tabs
Index dividers
Of course, you'll also need to purchase a sturdy filing cabinet. The biggest thing you want to look for is a filing cabinet that won't tip over when multiple drawers are open. Nowadays, many filing cabinets come with anti-tip mechanisms and interlocking drawers that help prevent this issue.
You'll also need to figure out whether you want a vertical filing cabinet or lateral filing cabinet. Typically, lateral filing cabinets are best for high-volume work environments, as these cabinets can hold large amounts of paper.
Vertical filing cabinets, on the other hand, are best for home offices and offices with little floor space. You may also want to consider investing in a mobile filing cabinet, which can be rolled around from location to location.
4. Computer and Printer Supplies
Of course, no office is complete without the right computer and printing supplies. Here's what you'll need to keep your office running smoothly:
Ink and toner cartridges
Zip drive tapes
High-density disks
You'll also need to purchase a printer. If your office includes you and at least a few other employees, you may want to opt for an all-in-one printer/scanner/copier. This way, you don't have to spend money on three separate devices, and people can complete their paper-related tasks in one place.
All-in-one printers can be very expensive, so it's important to take your time researching your options before you buy. Make sure to read online reviews, and, make sure you have a thorough understanding of all of your printing needs so you can choose one with the right features.
5. Time-Tracking Supplies
Nowadays, most of us track our appointments and important dates on our phones. But, it can still be useful to have physical time-tracking supplies so you can jot appointments down quickly and have reminders right in front of you.
Here are some time-tracking supplies you should have in your office:
Timecards
Calendars (both desk and wall)
To-do lists
Scheduling boards
We suggest supplying each of your employees with their own personal calendars as well as creating a master calendar for everyone to look at.
6. Mailing and Stationery Supplies
Mailing and stationery supplies are also vital components of running an efficient office. Here's what you need for mailing and stationery supplies:
Sealing tape
Bubble wrap
Shipping labels
Shipping paper
Padded envelopes
Catalog envelopes
Letter envelopes
Disk mailers
These items will ensure your packages are mailed safely.
7. ID Supplies
Last but not least, you also need supplies that will help you identify items as well as your fellow employees.
Identification supplies you should purchase include:
Name tags/badges
Color coding labels
Labels
Price tags
Not only will this help you keep things organized, but it'll also help you keep your employees safe.
Office Needs: Time to Shop for Office Supplies
Now that you know what your office needs are in terms of office supplies, it's time to start shopping. These items will help make sure that you can run your office to the best of your ability.
For more office organization tips, be sure to check back in with our blog.