We’ve discovered the remarkable usefulness of ring binders and lever arch files at home, in school and in the office. These files are being increasingly used in every area these days, particularly as a method of filing documents. We’ve found that in the office they are extremely accessible and can be stored with labelled spines facing out on shelves for easy identification and quick access. Their spines can be used to identify their contents, however they also come in various colours so that they can be filed using colour coding methods.

If you are using your ring binders in order to file or for a means of holding school work, guide books and other like documents, then they will also benefit from the use of file dividers and index tabs. These are ideal for organising and categorising document sections in your filing, presentations, reports and project files and make searching for particular sections and categories, or even individual documents so much easier.

If you are choosing to use file dividers and index tabs them we highly recommend that you use D-ring style ring binders as they are designed to house these additions perfectly. D-Ring binders have extra wide covers so that they can accommodate file dividers and index tabs which are larger than A4 size so that they stand out from the page.

These 5 Star File Dividers featured have coloured mylar tabs for easier identification and are available in 10 parts so that you can divide the contents of your files into 10 categories. However if this isn’t enough you can always purchase additional packs which is particularly beneficial for larger capacity files and folders.

• White board indexes with a clear Mylar reinforced filing strip and multicoloured Mylar tabs for increased durability
• Multipunched for filing
• 230 micron board
• Size: A4
• 10 part
• Up to 50% Recycled
• Just 0.64p!

Alternatively our 3L Index Tabs to your left are fantastic for use with your file dividers when they become old and out of date. Instead of purchasing complete new dividers and re-organising your filing system, you can simply stick these repositionable index tabs over the tabs of your old file dividers to refresh them. What’s more, these tabs can be written or typed on for individual requirements, perfect for when alphabetical and numerical filing isn’t appropriate. These tabs are 25mm in size and are available in various colours and in packs of 72.

For some reason or other the demand for envelopes seems to have rocketed in recent weeks with sales and enquiries through the roof! Could this be due to a surge in new company policies, altered interest rates, sales and promotions and other notifications and changes that customers, clients and suppliers need to know about? As we’re not a nosey bunch at Office 365, I suppose we’ll never know!

So what we’ve decided to do is raid our stocks and test each and every one of our envelopes based on strength, quality, price, convenience of sealing method and environmental qualities. To make the test fair we used only C4 envelopes throughout so results will be for the best C4 envelopes.

As it turns out it was a very simple test with the winners standing out head and shoulders above the rest in every area! The kings (or queens) of the C4 envelopes has to be Basildon Bond! The only brand to produce a white windowed C4 envelope which was 100% recycled and recyclable yet was able to offer the quality of 100gsm paper! In fact, they even had a biodegradable window film! Not only this, but they were the only envelope of such high environmental standards which featured the most convenient sealing method; peel and seal! This method doesn’t dry up, will not in time stick to itself or others in the pack and simply requires a strip to be peeled away revealing a powerful adhesive. Due to their thick 100gsm quality paper, the envelopes offer high strength and what’s more, they’re available at prices we can all afford!

Take a look at the Basildon Bond C4 White Recycled Pocket Window Envelopes featured to your right for example. You can boast a high company eco awareness using these envelopes whilst also setting a high standard of quality; what better impression to give! Features include;

• Basildon Bond White Pocket Envelopes
• 100% recycled
• Biodegradable window film
• Small packs, ideal for the small or home office
• Peel and Seal
• Size: C4, 324 x 229mm
• 100gsm
• Colour: White
• Packed 50
• 28% off – Now just £7.55!

The Green Bit

All the paper used in some of their ranges are from UK paper mills, from 100% recovered material. The white envelopes all use a 100gsm paper that is exceptionally smooth and white, and the manilla use 90gsm paper. In addition, the window film, while perfectly clear, is 100% biodegradable, made remarkably from corn not petrochemicals. This also means that even the window envelopes in the range can be included in any paper recycling.

All their white envelopes feature a subtle green opaque with the recycled symbol.

Without a doubt the most used item for document storage and filing globally, the ring binder is a priceless asset to our homes and offices. They were invented in 1886 by a German man named Friedrich Soennecken who later also registered a patent for his Papierlocher für Sammelmappen (hole punch). It wasn’t until later that the ring binder became what we know it today when German Louis Leitz, the founder of our much loved stationery brand Leitz, made some important changes and introduced the hole in the side of the file. Ring binders now come in many different ring and mechanism options that many of us struggle to choose which one to you. It seems to be the battle of the rings; two-ring vs. four-ring binders…

So how about we give you a few details which will provide you with a better understanding of what both ring options offer, then you have the information you need to make an educated decision.

The Two-Ring – The 2-ring binders have rings which are 80mm apart, according to ISO 838. As two ring hole punches are more common, often people find these binders more accommodating. Usually the cheapest, these ring binders are very popular, however they offer little document support and pressure is likely to wear and tear hole in documents. As with all ring binders, it is easy to add and remove pages from the 2-ring variety.

The Four-Ring - The 4-ring binders have no ISO standard and the distance between each ring is 80mm, 80mm and 80mm. We are now seeing more 4-hole, hole punches and so it is now becoming easier to accommodate the 4-hole ring binders. Using these binders allows pages to sit more evenly, spreading pressure and therefore wear. However this option is slightly more expensive than the 2-ring variety.

Once you have chosen how many rings you would like your binder to have you will need to choose the style of ring. There are two different ring types to consider, the O-Ring and the D-ring. 2 O-ring binders are the most popular due to their price and ease of document punching. The ring mechanism is attached to the spine and is circular in shape. The 4 Ring O-Ring binders provide the same qualities however offer added stability and support reducing wear on document holes.

2 D-Ring Binders enable files contained to sit straight against the edge of the binder and are have slightly wider covers in order to accommodate indexes and dividers. You will find the mechanism fitted to the back cover rather than the spine which allows the binder to lie flat more easily. The 4 Ring D-Ring binders provide the same qualities; however offer added stability and support reducing wear on document holes.

Finally you need to decide upon the quantity of the contents. It’s a simple rule; the more you’d like to put into your binder, the larger the ring size/spine will need to be. There are a variety of slim ring binders which have a 15mm spine perfect for filing small reports and documents; however the standard size is 25mm (1 inch). You will find a selection of binders in bigger sizes right the way up to 65mm (2.5 inches), but if you’re looking for larger capacities then you will need to consider a lever arch file which house much larger capacities and feature a lever locking mechanism.

Use a display board at home or in your work place as a tool to record, brainstorm and even present yours and your colleagues ideas. They make fantastic organisational tools when they become the focal point in the office or office cafeteria, as they become the place to go to find out what’s going on with the business, what the goal and targets are or which teams performed best last month etc. You can choose from many different options when it comes to display boards, with lightweight cork, felt and foam boards which are ideal for when you’re on a budget or you’re intending on buying a few, dry wipe boards for writing messages on directly, magnetic boards for writing on and using various magnetic accessories and framed and lockable door display boards for smartly posting awards, achievements, notices, work, reminders and other important information.

Our display boards provide the perfect opportunity for showcasing results, brainstorming ideas, and displaying goals and targets. Where better to place one of these boards than in the office? A well placed display board will not only encourage and inform staff, but will also boost morale and increase team playing spirit.

Keep on top of your display board; regularly update it, consider what information should make its way to the board, what information would make your staff feel as valued as they are. Do not let its contents become out of date as this will only loose enthusiastic readers and your staff will stop referring to it for important information. Check it daily, remove old notices and pin up new, exciting and informative ones. You could also use this as a way of starting up a new rewards scheme. The best performing team each month are treated to lunch or something similar, or maybe the best performing individual received a dinner for two. Alternatively create targets and goals and display these; that way your employees have an aim to work towards.

At Office 365 you will find a selection that includes;

• Aluminium Frame Display Boards – Including various sizes, lockable options, felt, hook and loop and various brand options.
• Cork Boards – Including various different sizes, whiteboard/cork combinations, wood, plastic and aluminium frames and various brand options.
• Felt Boards – Including various sizes, framed and unframed boards, aluminium and wooden frames, felt/dry wipe combinations and various brand options.
• Other Display Boards – Including various sizes, Foamboard display boards, Nobo Tuffboards, Post-it adhesive boards, Diamond mesh boards from Nobo Quartet, Nobo Quartet high density foam boards and more.
• Unframed Display Boards – Nobo fabric unframed notice boards.
• Wood Frame Display Boards – Display cabinets, lockable doors, oak and teak finishes and various size options.

C5 envelopes are the size popularly used when sending leaflets, booklets, pamphlets and other advertising media and are basically able to contain A4 paper folded in half once. It is not recommended that DL envelopes be used for sending more than one sheet of paper; most individuals or businesses opt for the C5 envelope when sending documents made up of multiple sheets. However if you are sending papers that must not be folded, then the C5 size is not for you.

You’ll find that C5 envelopes are normally available in manilla (brown) and white, and with the option of an address window. They are also available in a variety of openings however pocket style opening (opening on the short side with a short flap) is the most widely used and the most commonly manufactured style. There are exceptions to this rule however, as some manufacturers including the great Basildon Bond manufacturer C5 wallet style (opening on the long side) envelopes, such as the one featured below.

Our Basildon Bond C5 Wallet Envelope featured ticks all the boxes and provides a solution unique to any other.

• Oversized for machine insertion
• 100% recycled paper
• Quality 90gsm paper
• Biodegradable window film
• Gummed seal
• Trapeze style flaps to aid insertion
• Size: C5 (162 x 238mm)
• Weight: 90gsm
• White with Window
• Packed 500
• Save 27% – Now just £49.77!!

The Basildon Brand was developed in 1911 by Millington & Sons, a London based stationery manufacturer and were first the UK’s best selling notepaper manufacturer! Another interesting little fact for you, did you know that Basildon Bond became a Russ Abbot spoof secret agent character in the 1980’s on his popular BBC TV series? In 2005, Basildon Bond supported the NSPCC with a donation being made to the charity for every box of commercial envelopes purchased. The target to raise was £50,000 throughout the 2005 campaign.

The Green Bit

All the paper used in some of their ranges are from UK paper mills, from 100% recovered material. The white envelopes all use a 100gsm paper that is exceptionally smooth and white, and the manilla use 90gsm paper. In addition, the window film, while perfectly clear, is 100% biodegradable, made remarkably from corn not petrochemicals. This also means that even the window envelopes in the range can be included in any paper recycling. All their white envelopes feature a subtle green opaque with the recycled symbol.

What can you say about an A4 binder that in my 3 years of blog writing hasn’t already been said…difficult one. We all know what they’re general uses are, but we do seem to forget quite how useful they are when used for purposes that are out of the ordinary. Generally used in schools and educational facilities for keeping work together and also in the office for displaying information such as health and safety, instruction manuals and training papers, the binder has many uses. However they are far more than this, we just seem to forget them when we’re looking for solutions.

Have you considered swapping your current filing system for a binder filing system? You could alphabetically organise all your home paperwork, from bills and statements, to birth and marriage certificates. Your children school reports could be filed and all pay slips and guarantees/manuals could also be carefully tucked away in your new binder system. These binders can then be stacked upon your shelved with spine labels facing outwards so that you can easily read what the contents are. Alternatively you could colour code your A4 binders as they are available in a huge selection of colours. They also make great filing system for the office in the same way, looking very professional and organised and also enabling faster retrieval of documents than other forms of filing. A perfect storage tool for recopies or as I recently discovered after buying my daughter a skull and cross-bone binder, a great implement for creating a ‘club’ rule book.

We have many binders available at Office 365, all with whopping great big savings available! In fact, you won’t find our binders cheaper anywhere else, and if you do, thanks to our Price Match Policy, we’ll match it! You’ll find box files, lever arch files, presentation folders, presentation ring binders, ring binders, plastic wallets, display books and so much more here so that you can create a filing system to your exact requirements! Our most popular binder is the ring binder which is available in A3, A4 and A5 sizes and in a large selection of different colours! Enjoy a browse through our extensive selection of files pockets and binders where you can buy online or call us on 0870 766 1624 for help, advise and person-to-person ordering.

Rexel are a household brand which even our children have heard of, in fact the chances our half the contents of their desks and school bags are Rexel brand products! A key brand within the ACCO Brands Corporation, Rexel now have a staggering 70 years of great design and innovation behind them, along with a fantastic reputation with the customers. Their extensive product portfolio includes many stationery and office items including shredders, trimmers and various filing products as well as desk accessories and desktop tools too.

The ACCO Brands Corporation is actually one of the largest suppliers of branded office products worldwide! Sold and distributing in over 100 countries, their brands aside from Rexel include Wilson Jones®, Day-Timer®, Swingline®, Derwent, Kensington®, Quartet®, GBC®, NOBO® and more. Their range of Rexel Stationery stands head and shoulders above it competitors and with environmental credentials on their side, is it any wonder?

The Rexel Ecodesk range is 100% green, 100% recyclable and 100% reusable! We say their ‘green’ but actually their black and their incredibly stylish too! Manufactured from 100% post consumer recycled rubbish such as plastics and carrier bags, every item is even wrapped in 100% recycled material! With a staggering ten Ecodesk filing products to co-ordinate with the desk accessories which include letter trays, magazine racks, desk sorters and pen pots, you can co-ordinate your entire desk and filing system with these fabulously eco friendly products! What’s more, you’ll find that all Rexel Ecodesk files and folders carry the official Cradle to Cradle certification!

As if two children and a dusty old house isn’t enough to contend with, I also work full time writing articles like this one about stationery which I feel deserves its story being told. It’s a juggling act to say the least and every week I wish for the same thing; just one more day! There just is never enough time. However seeing as I seem to thrive on stress, I decided I may as well throw another commitment into the equation and join the committee in my local town for the playing fields and children’s playground. There isn’t many of us on the committee so we’re all stretched to our limits really, all rallying together to raise funds to keep the park going. We have many fundraisers and events a year and when each one comes around, it needs to be publicised! This means articles in papers, banners across the street, and posters on lamp posts everywhere you can see! When it comes to pinning up the posters and pleading with shops to put them in their windows, we all chip in, come rain or shine. However it’s the rain bit that makes it difficult! All these beautifully designed posters are going to get ruined, and who can afford to laminate them these days? Well that’s where plastic sleeves come in.

Yes, yes, I know, they’re not really intended for this kind of thing, but they do the job just great and nothing else compares when it comes to price. For the price of a bag of chips, you can get 100 plastic pockets, plenty for advertising your event. You simply stick your poster inside, tape up the opening with clear tape and pin them where ever you’re allowed to. Take a look at our 5 Star Punched Pockets below.

• A4 open top
• 50 micron polypropylene pocket
• Multipunched reinforcing strip
• Anti-glare
• Polypropylene material will not lift ink from copy
• Quantity 100
• £11.83 off! – Now just £2.01 for 100 pockets!!

Fantastic for various applications, plastic document sleeves are commonly used in the office, the home and at school or university as a means of filing or keeping work and records safe and in pristine condition.

Ring binders play a major role in our everyday lives; raise a few eyebrows? Well it’s true and if you really think about it you’ll agree. Go back to the days in school where every little project or subject had its own ring binder to display the work you’d done over the term. They were used to store homework, course work or even studying materials, and boy did they weigh down the old school bag. Moving onto college and university is much the same, work and study information was stored in the ring binders so that you had a constant reference of the work you had put towards your final marks so far. Ring Binders are also essential in the home and the office as they are an extremely useful implement for filing. In the office they are used for filing customer records, billing information, accounts, safety information, sheets and booklets, employee records and more, where as in the home they are used for filing home bills, certificates, guarantee booklets and so on, but also for creating recopy books and other like records. However we seem to be spoilt for choice when it comes to this form of filing, with many options to choose from, sizes and of course a huge and overwhelming selection of brands.

It may help however to understand the different ring types available so that at least this is one decision we can easily make sense of and decide upon. Consider however that the only difference these ring styles make is whether or not you intend to use dividers. Take a look below at our ‘ring’ explanations.

D-Ring Ring Binders – ‘D’ rings are fixed onto the inside back cover, however the ‘D’ is a little more expensive. The ‘D’ ring style has been specifically designed so that the contents sit flat on the back cover and square on the right hand edge of the ring. This is why ‘D’ ring style binders have a wider cover which consequently allows for the use of dividers. The wider cover explains the greater expense of a ‘D’ ring binder. Also, the mechanism is riveted to the back cover, and so the spine area is clear for printing.

O-Ring Ring Binders – ‘O’ ring binders are fixed into the spine and do not normally have a ‘lever option’. These rings typically hold less paper and the covers are smaller than the ‘D’ ring alternative which means that divider tabs may poke outside of the binder. However this option is cheaper and ideal if only being used for plastic sleeves and average quantity contents. The most cost effective ring mechanism is a 25mm capacity 2 ‘O’-ring.

Here you’ll find a huge selection of ring binders that meet your every need, from A5 to A3 and landscape to portrait there’s something for everyone at Office 365. We also have a huge selection of brands to choose from such as Bantex, Emgee, 5 Star, Eastlight, Elba, Exacompta, Guildhall, Masters, Rexel and so many more!

Every organised office will have a pigeon hole unit positioned in a particular pod in the office or in the designated mail room. These innovative pieces of furniture enable the businesses incoming and outgoing mail to be given the attention and care it fully deserves and needs. Pigeon hole units have many compartments so that mail can be separated into incoming and outgoing, outgoing first class and outgoing second, and so that incoming post can be separated so that each area or department of the business has its own ‘cubby hole’. This way handing out the mail is an easy chore and departments could even collect their own post without hassle.

Our pigeon holes for mail can be found in most offices and warehouses and in every mail and post room. Your businesses mail is an underestimated part of the company and needs to be treated with the respect it deserves; the sheer volume of mail can often be an issue and must be dealt with, with delicacy. If your business generates a lot of mail, maybe it’s time you considered making this small investment, it will after all safe you time in the end, and therefore money.

Our PaperFlow Modulodoc Mailsorter provides the best solution to your mailroom demands. Featuring;

• Supplied assembled and ready for immediate use
• Can be stacked together with removable fasteners
• High quality plastic for years of service
• 24 compartments
• Each compartment can hold a full ream of A4 paper
• Supplied with label holders
• Grey
• Plastic
• WxDxH: 674 x 308 x 548mm
• 34% off – Now Just £158.54!!

PaperFlow are an office supply company who design and manufacture their entire range of “paper management” office furniture, boasting a higher quality product portfolio which is respected and popular across the globe. Fr this reason we highly recommend that you try the above featured product and if it doesn’t meet your expectations, then please let us know; we haven’t had negative feedback yet!