History of Staplers

Aside from pens and paper, fastening staples are probably the 3rd most commonly used office supply item worldwide. Even though it's such a common item in most every office and many homes, have you ever wondered how staples and staplers came to be? According to my wife, I have lots of time on my hands to sit around and think about things of this nature.

I did a bit of research and found out some interesting facts. Staples were thought to have first been used in Iran around the 6th centry BC. They were used to tighten two stone blocks together and keep them attached. The first staples are actaully an early metal that utilized legs that were bent inward.

The first stapler device was thought to have been made in 1877 and was patented in 1880. Variations of the original design have been patented in the 1950's and 1960's. Today staples are most commonly used to affix paper together, but they are also used in roofing, general construction, fencing, automotive, and commercial manufacturing.

In addition to traditional hand operated staplers, staples themselves are now dispensed through guns (called stapleguns), electronic staplers, and pneumatic staplers.

Tombow Glue Refills

My wife has really gotten involved in scrapbooking and I happened to watch she and her friends "booking" as she calls a few nights ago. While I know very little about scrapbooking myself, I can't get over how excited my wife gets about a particular type of adhesive made by a company called Tombow. Apparently, in the scrapbooking world, it's the gold standard as far as adhesives go. I was severely chastised for even suggesting that glue was glue in my book.

Her fierce praises really spiked my curiosity so I started doing some research online. It turns out that the Tombow brand of adhesive is the definitive choice for scrapbooking as it's one of the few adhesives that doesn't contain any kind of acid.

I was surprised to find that her friends buy the stuff by the caseload every couple of months.They all buy it here: Tombow Glue.

Hon File Cabinets - Are They a Good Choice?

Based in Muscatine, Iowa; the Hon Company was originally started in 1944 under the company name of Home-O-Nize Co. In 1955, Home-O-Nize decided to increase it's focus on office supplies and office furniture, so they create a separate department for those products. They also elected to come up with a new name for the new department so this division became known as H-O-N (Home-O-Nize). Since that time, Hon has become an industry leader in the office furniture market.
One of Hon's first office furniture offerings was a combination filing cabinet called the "Unifile". This cabinet was fairly successful so Hon started developing additional filing cabinets that could be brought to market.

Fast forward to today and Hon is the market leader in the filing cabinet industry. They offer over 500 different filing cabinets in various configurations and colors. Here are a few important points to understand before shopping for a cabinet:

Lateral filing cabinets - Lateral filing cabinets are also called horizontal filing cabinets. Most lateral filing cabinets are around 20 inches deep, and generally come in widths of 30, 36, or 42 inches. They also come in 2, 3, 4, or 5 drawer versions. The 2 drawer models work best in small spaces like an office cubicle. Hon makes a number of lateral file models to meet any need. All their lateral models have leveling glides, super quiet ball bearings, and a single drawer lock that secures all the drawers. The Hon model 500, 600, or 800 series are excellent choices in this style.

Vertical filing cabinets - Actually designed in 1898 by Edwin Seibels, the vertical filing cabinet has become the most popular filing cabinet style. This style is especially effective for offices or home offices with limited space as they have a smaller footprint compared to a lateral or horizontal model. The Hon models are extremely well made and will last a lifetime. My parents have a Hon vertical in their basement that is over 40 years old. Even after 40 years, it looks and works just almost as well as the day it was produced. If you are shopping for a vertical model, consider the Hon model 310 or 530 as both are a Hon bestseller.

The Hon file cabinets come in a myriad of different finishes like Columbian walnut laminate, Taupe, Putty, black, light gray, charcoal, shaker cherry laminate, shadow Zephyr, cloud zephyr, desert zephyr, canyon zephyr, morro zephyr, muslin, greige, carob, platinum metallic, and champagne metallic.

Hon has become a market leader in this area for two reasons: price and quality. They aren't the least expensive filing cabinet model, but you get what you pay for.

Finding Cheap Copy Paper

If your office was taking a company wide quiz about office supplies, what would you think was the most important item that was needed for day to day operations? According to data from American Express Small Business, the answer is office paper. For what it's worth, I missed the answer myself. I guessed file folders. However, when you stop and think about the amount of paper that is used in office across the world, it makes sense.

When you think about the amount of money that the average office spends on paper annually, it makes sense to try to find the best deal that you possibly can.

When shopping for paper, price should always be a factor, but not the only factor. Otherwise, you'll most likely sacrifice quality for price. Your best bet is to find a happy medium between price and quality.

For optimum results when printing or copying, it is important that you choose the correct type of paper for your individual needs and your printer/copier/fax. A short overview of the different types of paper is listed below:

Multifunction - This is probably the most popular type of paper sold as it can be used for just about any application.

Copier - This type of paper is predominately designed for use in a copier of some type. While it will work in a printer, the end results won't be quite as crisp or clear as some other types of paper.

Inkjet Paper - This type of paper is specifically formulated to perform best with the sprayed ink from an inkjet device. Other types of printing can be done on this paper, but the results can vary.

Laser - Specifically made for use in laser printers or copiers for optimum performance.

Once you have a clear understanding on the type of paper that you need, how do you get the best deal? There are a number of ways:

Start with some research so you can have an idea of the typical "street" price of the paper you are interested in.

Buy in bulk - Purchasing paper in bulk is the fastest and simplest method to save some real money on your paper purchases. The more you can afford at one time will play a role in the price you will pay.

Use Coupons or Discounts - Most all office supply companies offer or accept some type of discount or coupon. Use them and you can save some money.

Buying the cheapest copy paper you can find isn't always the best solution. If you follow the tips and tricks in this article, you can most likely find the specific type or brand of paper that you want at a price you can afford.

For more information on this topic, please visit:=>Cheap Copy Paper.

Office Supplys

One question I get via e-mail or posting is about saving more money on office suppplies or "office supplys" as one reader put it.

If you own or run a business, then you know that are some expenses that are a necessary part of doing business. Office supplys are one of those expenses. However, there are ways to reduce the amount of money that you are spending on office supplies and not impact the business itself.

Here are a few suggestions:

Use house brands of off brands - Instead of buying name brand office products, consider using a house brand or alternative brand. Most all of the house brands are nothing more than the exact same product that has been repackaged. As they don't carry a "name" brand, you can generally save some money on these house brands, especially if you buy in bulk.

Document your spending in this area - While it's important to document your spending, it's also important to break the spending out into sub-categories like paper, pens, office machines, etc. This way you can get a true idea of exactly where you are spending your office supply budget. Within a few months, you will also have established a baseline of spending sorted by type so you can then start to take action to reduce that spending.

Purchase in bulk - Many people have different ideas of what a "bulk" purchase involves. Basically a bulk purchase involves a product that is packaged in a mass quantity. You save money in these purchases as the manufacturer has less money invested in the packaging and advertising. For example, you'll save money buying writing pens in a pack of 1000 over a pack of 12. Opportunities like that really add up over time.

Use coupons or promotions - Many office supply vendors offer coupons or discounts for various products. Some also offer discounts for bulk purchases. Even if coupons or discounts aren't listed or suggested by an office supply vendor, ask about them. The office supply industry is extremely competitive so you can use that to your advantage.

Most people take a shotgun type of approach to an office supply budget and blindly make purchases on an as needed basis. By following the steps listed above and applying a consistent plan, you can make great gains in reducing your office supply spending.

For more information on office supply savings, please visit office supplys.com.

Office Deopt

I always get a kick out of all of the misspelled office supply words I see in e-mails. I received one last week asking a question about "office deopt" prices. In addition to that one, here are a few that I've received as well:

• office maxx
• office dept
• Stapls
• offic max

I know they are just fat fingered misspellings, but you have to wonder how successful they would be using these words in a Google search?

What is an "Ergonomic Office Chair"?

Webster defines the word "ergonomic" as "an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely." Basically, this means that ergonomically designed item are specifically designed for comfort and efficiency. Ergonomic chairs are no different.

They differ from standard office chairs as ergonomic chairs are designed for maximum comfort and productivity. Standard office chairs may not have some ergonomic functions like armrests, adjustable height, lower back support, etc. In a nutshell, ergonomic chairs are going to have a higher level of adjustability versus a standard office chair.

Why are ergonomic chairs important? Well, when you sit down and add up how much time you may be seated in the chair, it becomes very important. According to OHSA, the average office based employee, working a 40 hour week, will spend 25-30 hours in a seated position. Over a twelve month period, that's over 1500 hours in a seated position at work. That much time in a seated position puts quite a bit of stress on the lumber area of your spine.

For more information on this topic, please visit: Ergonomic Office Chairs

Office Depot In Trouble?

In early December of 2008, office supply giant Office Depot announced that it was closing 112 of it's "under performing" stores and 6 of it's distribution centers. At that time, those numbers accounted for about 9% of their overall stores.

Rumblings in the office supply industry indicate that they may be closing more stores that initially anticipated. In light of this development, and an attempt to establish more market share; Staples has announced that it is now accepting Office Depot coupons.

What does this mean for consumers? In this current economy, I suspect that you'll see more and more shoppers looking at online vendors versus brick and mortar suppliers. Online vendors have less overhead and can generally offer products at a slightly lower cost. Today, every dollar saved will help.

Fancy Flash Drives

As technology continues to evolve, I'm amazed at the changes that have occurred in the flash drive industry. I can recall when flash drives first came out, and they would only store a max of 128 MB. Those early models were fairly expensive as well. The most basic models were priced over $50.00.

Compare that to the flash drives of today, which can store anywhere from 1GB to 8GB. The newer models also have features like data encryption, file sync, and integrated on-screen software. The models of today have become much more affordable compared to their predecessors. A fully loaded 4GB model like the Verbatim pictured can be had for under $50.00.

Don't you just love technology?

Staying Warm At the Office

In light of the cold weather spell that is impacting most of the US right now, I thought I'd take a minute to talk about staying warm at the office.

If your office happens to be cold, you really only have a few options:

• Wear additional layers of clothes
• Wear a jacket, coat, or sweater
• Get an office heater
  

Since I don't like to wear lots of layers and don't look good in a sweater, my best option was an office heater. So my search for an office heater began. I needed a heater that was small but powerful, and featured an integrated thermostat so I wouldn't have to constantly adjust it.

I finally settled on a heater called the Honeywell HZ-325 Quickheat.

I went with this one as it does have a built-in thermostat and the ceramic heater basically stays cool no matter how much heat the unit puts out. With 1500 watts, this heater has no problem heating an office space up to 200 sq feet. I don't know about you, but my office is much smaller than 200 sq feet, so I stay nice and toasty now.

New Sharpie Pen

The New Sharpie Pen is out!

All I can say is WOW what a great idea. We all know and love sharpie
markers, now there is a sharpie pen. This thing writes great and is
packed with style. Get one today!

Here are some of the features.

Will not bleed through paper

Quick drying

Smear resistant when dry

Permanent on paper

Water resistant; acid free

Available in 4 colors

Bic Pen Spinning Championships

Bic Pens is at it again. Who knew the world of "Pen Spinning" could win you a trip to Japan?
Here is the information on how to participate and your chance to become the Bic Pen Spinning Champion!

How do I become the champion?

Take your nimble fingers along to Penspinningacademy.com to register.
Once registered, upload your videos and vote for the video* of the week!
You may vote every week until 31 July 2008! After this date, you can type all you want, it will be too late!

A jury made up of pen spinning experts will choose the five best pen spinners who will go to the grand final in Paris!
If your fingers are chosen, you will win a weekend in Paris for the grand final (travel and accommodation costs included, with a legal guardian for minors)

Avery Wizard - New. Fast. Easy

The Avery Wizard for software for Microsoft Office just makes task easier.

Organization - Create customized binder spines, dividers, file folder labels, CD labels and more in minutes.

Mailing - Import data easily from Microsoft Excel, Outlook and other major databases. Or just type in the addresses you need

Meetings and Events - From invitations to name badges and tent cards, you can easily design your own materials.

Marketing - Design business cards, postcards and more. Add your logo or other graphics for more impact.

Avery Wizard is a plug-in to Microsoft Office Word 2003 and provides templates for hundreds of Avery laser and inkjet products. Use the Avery Wizard to print mailing labels, shipping labels, tab titles, Ready Index table of contents sheets, diskette labels, name badges, name tags, business cards, and tent cards. Get it now!

Support The Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation

What another great chair, and this one has an added benefit. When one is purchased $10 is donated to the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation!

It's a bungee chair and in PINK, how awesome is that? A very comfortable and stylish package. This chair features flat pink bungee bands that provide optimal ergonomic comfort, 4 way adjustable arms, Rocking seat adjustment and an infinite tilt mechanism.

Sit For a Cure in a Carnation Pink Elite Office Chair!

New Office Chair Time!

I recently picked up a new chair for my office, the Diplomat by Regency Furniture.
What a great office chair at a great bargain price.

It is constructed using black Italian leather with mahogany arms and base. It features plush cushions accented with detailed stitching and a finished hardwood base and armrests. Also equipped with mid-pivot knee tilt, pneumatic seat-height, tilt-lock, and tilt tension adjustments.

Dimensions are as follows:
Overall: 20.5"(W) x 19"(D) x 44.5"-47"(H)
and
Seat Height of: 17.5"-20"

Comes in a high back, low back and a side chair version.

Overall I found this chair to be comfortable, great looking and most importantly a great deal!

Avery Index Maker

Avery Index Maker White Tab Dividers

Avery has these great "Index Maker" dividers. Download their software wizard and your ready to go. Make custom looking index tab dividers in a flash, no more clumsy write on tabs!

You can organize your materials by section and use templates found in your desktop software or on avery.com to create Index Maker tab dividers. Tabs to organize materials and presentations. Available in 3 hole punched or plain with reinforced binding edge. Clear labels virtually disappear when applied to tabs. Save time with Easy Apply Label Sheet, included with multi-set packs, to all the tabs at one time. Great for larger projects requiring more than one divider set. For use with laser or inkjet printers. 8 1/2 X 11.

Sharpie and David Beckham

David Beckham partners with Sharpie!

Check out The new Sharpie Retractable Ultra Fine Commercial and see what Sharpie has been up to.

He said: "I have always enjoyed signing autographs for people, especially since I used to love getting my heroes' signatures when I was younger. I love to use Sharpie markers, so it's a natural choice for me to partner with them."

The advertising campaign, which will include adverts in print, online and in stores, will feature in regions globally, including North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific

Fellowes Intellishred Shredder!

Sleek design and unmatched functionality for tax time and all year round! Protect your identity and destroy those unwanted documents in a safe and efficient manner with the Fellowes PS79 CI Shredder.

The Fellowes PS 79 CI shredder offers a Jam Proof System that eliminates frustrating jams by preventing overloads and powering through misfed paper. Offers a time-saving sheet capacity indicator measures paper as you shred to ensure maximum capacity at every pass. Shreds up to 12 sheets per pass into 5/32” x 1-1/2” secure confetti particles at 11' per minute. Exclusive patent-pending SafeSense Technology features an active sensor that stops shredder immediately when hands are too close to the paper opening. The sleek, modern design includes an easy to empty 6-gallon pull-out bin and casters. Shreds staples, paper clip, credit cards and CDs.

Smead Tuff Pocket File Pockets

The toughest file pockets around.

If you require years of heavy use from your files and want to maintain a classic appearance, you'll appreciate virtually indestructible redrope file pocket that won't rip out. The Tuff pockets sides and bottom are fully lined with tear-resistant Tyvek, has special rollover reinforcement at the top, and extends into the front and back panels twice as far as standard file pockets. Heavyweight front and back panels provide rigid support and have a hidden reinforcement strip at the point of greatest stress.

• 1-3/4", 3-1/2", 5-1/4" or 7" expansion
• 6-1/2" high Tyvek lined sides and bottom
• Rollover Tyvek reinforced sides and bottom extend 7/8" into panels
• 30% recycled content, 30% post-consumer material

Bic ReAction Pen

The BIC ReAction Retractable Ball Pen, featuring D-Flexion Technology for a smooth writing experience.

“We’ve designed this pen for professionals and style-conscious consumers who want a sophisticated and innovative pen with unique benefits, comfort features and a smooth writing system,” said Tim Koletsos, director of marketing, stationery, BIC Consumer Products USA.

The BIC ReAction Retractable Ball Pen features a 1.0 mm point for smooth writing, a chrome nose cone, and a full length grip for comfortable writing. The pen’s D-Flexion Technology acts as a “shock absorber” for a smooth writing experience and helps control motion and diffuse tension.