Businesses of all sizes need office supplies that support productivity, efficiency, and convenience. If you’re opening a new office and have already picked out your office equipment, it’s time to start thinking about office supplies and stationery for the workplace. Having the right supplies on hand when employees arrive for their first day will keep your business running smoothly. Here’s a look at the most essential office supplies that businesses of all sizes, across industries should have from day one.
Paper Supplies
It might seem obvious, but paper office supplies are at the top of the list of essential workplace supplies to have on day one. Even eco-friendly offices need to have some paper products on hand to support key business functions. Make sure your office always has these paper and stationery products on hand:
- Post-it or sticky notes.
- Notebooks or notepads.
- Printer and copier paper.
- Company letterhead or stationery.
- Butcher paper or packing paper.
- Organizational planners and calendars.
- Envelopes.
- Packing, mailing, and shipping supplies.
- Labels.
- Business cards.
- Manila folders and/or expanding folders.
Organizational Supplies
Organizational supplies are ones that help you prioritize and maintain the efficiency of the office. They include creative storage solutions, methods to label and organize files and paperwork, and strategies for keeping clutter off workplace surfaces. Some key organizational supplies you’ll need include:
- Filing cabinets.
- Bankers’ boxes or storage boxes.
- Shelving.
- File folders or expanding folders.
- Labels.
- Binders and tabs.
- Planners and calendars.
- Three-hole punches.
- Staplers and staples.
- Erasers.
- Pens and pencils.
- Highlighters and markers.
- Sharpies.
- Paper clips and binder clips.
- Scissors.
- Glue.
- Whiteout.
- Pushpins.
- Tape.
- Rubber bands.
- Stamps.
- Desk organizers.
- File holders.
- Name plaques or signs.
- Utensil holders.
- Label makers.
- Laminating machine.
Meeting & Presentation Supplies
You and your employees will also need meeting and presentation supplies. These supplies ensure you’re ready to present ideas, hold staff meetings, and meet with potential clients or customers. Make sure you have:
- Whiteboards with markers and erasers.
- Presentation boards.
- Chalkboards with chalk and erasers.
- Projectors and projection screens.
- Bulletin boards with push pins.
- Teleconference equipment.
Shipping & Mailing Supplies
Most offices need to mail or ship things occasionally. It’s better to have these supplies on hand from day one than to have to waste time going to the post office or a shipping center. Basic office supplies to have on hand for shipping and mailing include:
- FedEx or UPS envelopes or boxes.
- Small shipping boxes or padded mailers.
- Envelopes.
- Manila envelopes.
- Packing tape.
- Bubble wrap or Styrofoam.
- Stamps.
- Shipping labels.
- Return address labels.
- Mail scale.
- Plastic wrap.
- Security seals.
- Temperature and moisture control packs.
- Received stamps.
- Date stamps.
- Incoming and outgoing mail bins or baskets.
Cleaning Supplies
Even if you have an outside cleaning company, you will need to have some basic cleaning supplies on hand for spills and messes. Maintaining sanitation and cleanliness will increase employee safety, morale, and satisfaction. Make sure employees have easy access to these cleaning supplies:
- Trash cans and recycle bins.
- Trash bags.
- Paper towels.
- Hand sanitizer.
- Sanitizing wipes.
- Glass cleaner.
- Screen cleaner.
- Soap.
- Sponges.
- Brooks and dust pans.
- Rubber gloves.
- Air freshener.
- Vacuum.
Kitchen & Break Room Supplies
If your office has a kitchen and/or a break room, you’ll want to have some supplies on hand that make it easier and more convenient for employees to use these shared spaces. When stocking a kitchen or break room, buy these office supplies:
- Cups.
- Plates.
- Utensils.
- Napkins.
- Plastic bags.
- Aluminum foil.
- Plastic wrap.
- Dish rack.
- Dish soap.
- Sponges.
- Snacks or drinks.
- Coffee creamer.
- Sugar.
- Tea.
- Coffee.
- Coffee maker
- Microwave.
- Toaster oven.
- Refrigerator.
- Water fountain or water cooler.
First Aid Supplies
All offices need to have basic first aid supplies on hand. They should be in an obvious, easy to reach location that is known to all employees. First aid supplies should include:
- An OSHA-approved first aid kit.
- Flashlights and batteries.
- Bandages.
- Gauze.
- Gloves.
- Tweezers.
- Alcohol wipes.
- Instant ice packs.
- Fire extinguishers.
- Fire blankets.
- Wet floor signs.
- Painkillers.
- Antibiotic cream.
- Burn cream.
- Insect bite cream.
Technology Accessories
Whether you have an IT department or outsource your IT needs, you should have some basic technology accessories on hand. This will help new employees get settled on their first day and can replace equipment that stops working. Keep the following tech accessories on hand:
- Computer mice.
- Batteries.
- Keyboards.
- Printer and copier ink and toner.
- Mouse pads.
- Flash drives.
- Power strips.
- Extension cords.
Get All of Your Small Business Office Supplies in Tucson, AZ
At Gibson’s Office Solutions, we are a one-stop shop for all of the office supplies, stationary, workplace accessories, and office furniture you need to open your doors on day one. Whether you’re opening a small business for the first time, are expanding, or are moving offices, we have you covered. From ergonomic, high-quality office furniture and modular workplace stations to break room and kitchen supplies to paper products and office supplies, we can ensure your business functions smoothly and efficiently from the start.
We are committed to helping local businesses in Tucson and Phoenix, AZ excel by creating workplace environments that increase productivity and efficiency. Call us today or reach out to us online to learn more about our inventory or to schedule a site visit, consultation, space planning, or delivery and installation services.
