Out of all the office supplies that are used on a daily basis, copy paper has traditionally been the most important one. Consider how many documents are printed out across the U.S. everyday and you can quickly get a feel how important it is.
Buying paper at the best possible price is vitally important to saving money in your office supply expenditures. So, it makes sense to do your homework and try to get the best deal possible.
When shopping for paper, price should always be a consideration, but not the only consideration. Otherwise, you'll most likely sacrifice quality for price. You are probably better off trying to find a happy medium between price and quality.
For best results when printing or copying, it is important that you select the correct type of paper for your individual needs and your printer/copier/fax. A short explanation of the different types of paper is listed below:
Multi-Functional - Like the name implies, this style of paper can be utilized for nearly any role. It's a "jack of trades" in the office paper world, but it's also not really a stellar performer in any specific area. It's versatility makes it one of the most popular paper styles that is currently sold.
Copier - This type of paper is predominately designed for use in a copier of some type. While it will work in a printer, the 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 Paper - As the name implies, this type of paper functions best when used with a laser printing device. It is less effective for inkjet printing, and poor for use in copiers.
Now that you have an understanding of paper types, its time to start shopping. Here are a few tips that will assist in that area:
Start by doing some research and price comparisons. You'll need to have a baseline or average price in order to start aggressively searching for deals.
Consider bulk purchases - Anytime you can make a bulk paper purchase you will save money. Bulk buying eliminates the costs associated with packaging so you can use that to your advantage.
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.
