by Diana L. Martin

If you're reading this blog, you probably work in an office and you've come here for my sage advice on a variety of topics or my latest product recommendation to make your workday easier. Well, today, instead of imparting my usual wisdom, I decided to share some fun/interesting facts relating to the office.

by Diana L. Martin

If you’ve been looking for a desk pad that’s more upscale than the normal ones you find in stores, but that won’t break the bank, I have a solution for you.  Smead has recently introduced a new product – the Vegan Leather Deskpad and it’s quite a nice item.

by Alex Plachta

I want to update you on the current paper cost situation in the United States and what to expect for the rest of the year. This blog is based on my own experiences with manufacturers over the past few years as well as articles like this one on the topic.

In a nutshell, paper and related products in the custom printing world (everything from business cards to envelopes to booklets and more) continue to rise in price, but not nearly at the rate they did during 2020-2022.

by Diana L. Martin

If you run a business, you know the importance of keeping expenses down.  When it comes to your internal printing costs, standard operating procedure is to print internal documents in black or grayscale and save the pretty color prints for customer-facing documents or presentations.  Other ways to save money include using compatible or remanufactured cartridges instead of OEM cartridges, printing in draft mode instead of normal or high-quality modes and having one or two central printers that everyone shares instead of having individual printers on employees’ desks.

So now that I’ve told you what you already know, I’d like to share something with you that you may not know – the font you choose for your documents can save you – or cost you – money.

Yes, really!

by Diana L. Martin

At one time or another, we’ve all experienced the dreaded black lines down our copies or stood frustrated at the copier trying to clear a paper jam. And you probably swore under your breath at it because you needed the copies for a meeting that was scheduled to start in five minutes. Malfunctioning printers and copiers can be a constant source of misery in an office.

The good news is……….they don’t have to be! The simplest reasons that technology malfunctions are that it’s not properly maintained and/or people aren’t trained on how to use it.

Here are 7 ways to keep your copier/printer running smoothly:

by Diana L. Martin

Stickers vs. labels - what's the difference?  

Is there one?

Why yes, there is.  Both labels and stickers are a piece of material (usually paper, vinyl or polypropylene) that have an adhesive backing.  However, they have different purposes and designs.

Labels are used primarily for informational purposes. They can be on sheets or rolls and are a designed to fit a specific space (rectangle and circle are the most common shapes).  Labels normally contain text that provides information about a product. For instance:

by Marisa Kenyon

Think all clips are built the same? Think again!

Join us as we take a deep-dive into the many shapes, sizes, and textures of this office must-have

by Diana L. Martin

Have you ever wondered why there are so many different descriptions for office paper? Some websites list it as copy paper, some list it as printer paper and some list it as multipurpose paper. Aren’t they all the same thing? Why can’t everyone list it the same way?

Well. truth be told, they’re not all the same - there are two main differences. It’s pretty simple, so let’s look at each of them and I’ll explain.

By Diana L. Martin

It’s practically impossible to pick up a newspaper or magazine and not find an article about sustainability. Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword; it impacts many aspects of our lives, including the way we work. Office environments can have a significant impact on our planet and adopting sustainable practices in the office not only benefits the environment but also enhances your company’s reputation. Let’s explore some of the ways your business can contribute to a greener future.

by Kim Schroeder

Color theory is the art of incorporating a variety of design principles and applying them to color.  In addition to theory, color trends are the direction and way our society thinks about color.  Designers use color theories and trends as a tool to highlight or separate an area or a space.  Companies enjoy using color as a way to attract new customers and make their business appear more successful.

by Marisa Kenyon

If you're someone who ships a lot of things, big or small, then there is a high chance you've had issues with items damaged in transit.  Whether it's due to mishandling by the carrier or inadequate packaging, these damages can accumulate over time - in both money and frustration.

Fortunately, there are a few innovative and unconventional ways to safeguard your shipments all the way from carrier to customer. So, let's think outside the box (pun intended!) and explore some effective methods to ensure the protection of your packages along their journey.

by Diana L. Martin

To the normal person, office supplies are a mundane necessity of doing business. I, on the other hand, believe that ordinary items can hold extraordinary potential. In this blog, I’m excited to explore the possibilities of standard office supplies beyond their conventional uses. From the simple paper clip that can double as a cable organizer to the versatile sticky notes that spark creativity, I’ll delve into innovative ways to make the most out of these everyday tools. Join me as I unlock a treasure trove of alternate uses that will not only enhance your productivity but also add a touch of ingenuity to your work and everyday life. Get ready to see office supplies in a whole new light!

by Diana L. Martin

Every business needs printed materials -  brochures that advertise the company's services, envelopes, stationery, business cards, invoices, work orders, etc.  All of these items are a type of marketing for your business.  Every letter you send out on letterhead, every work order that you leave with a client, every piece of paper that has your company information on it gets your company name out in front of people and it is important that the impression left behind is positive and professional.

by Diana L. Martin

If you are one of those people who go to the office supply store to buy pens and stare in amazement at all the different types wondering, "What's the difference?" this article is for you. There are numerous varieties - ballpoint, gel, advanced ink, etc. - how do you know which one to choose? Well, let me help you.

Today I'll give you a rundown on the five major types of ink pens and their qualities to help you decide which one is best for you.

by Alex Plachta

Not everything is easy to draw! In fact, I’d argue that almost everything is hard to draw! Illustrator and Photoshop can be challenging for the novice creator and photographing items is not always the simplest process. There are plenty of sites where you can purchase images, but on some jobs (like this blog) you might be able to find something totally acceptable - and high quality - without having to pay for the rights to the image. Here are two sites where you can find free images for whatever you’re designing. 

by Diana L. Martin

Several years ago, we published a blog titled, “Are Memberships Worth the Cost?” which generated more views than any other blog up to that point. Today it still reigns as the most-viewed blog we’ve ever posted and we’ve received some passionate comments on it.

Fast forward five years and in 2023 memberships are still going strong as a marketing and sales tool. I want to spend just a few minutes revisiting this topic today since it’s still quite a popular one.

Did you know that nearly 1 in 5 employees feel dissatisfied with the frequency of feedback from their manager? Offering feedback to employees can be crucial for a variety of reasons, including helping them feel a part of the team, become more engaged with company values, and grow their professional careers. Here are some reasons why providing more employee feedback could be right for your business…

by Diana L. Martin

So we're a few weeks into the new year.....  You've got all your year-end paperwork done, files are boxed up and put in storage and your 2022 taxes are ready to be filed.  

.....Now that you're done rolling on the floor laughing, I'll get serious.  Organizing your office will help you save time and money.  There's actually a term for this - it's called Organomics®.  According to Organomics.com, Organomics® is:

by Alex Plachta

The Office Express printing division handles a lot of mailings for non-profit organizations.  We primarily work with schools and Catholic organizations but have quite a variety of non-profits in our clientele.  I recently read some interesting statistics and thought they’d be a good topic to discuss.

Digital screens take up a lot of our lives, and the blue light that is emitted from those devices can interfere with your circadian rhythm, which is the cycle that signals to the body when it’s time to go to sleep and when it’s time to wake up. Here are some tips to ditch the digital so you can get a five-star snooze...