As the title suggests, where do you get yours from?
Im trying to find somewhere that does what I need (folders,sleaves,wallets,labels,paper etc) and decent prises and i wondered who/what you use?
I have been using Staples up untill now, but they can be quite expensive as they are for the consumer market not the bulk buy market.
What I'm also after is comb binder covers. I have seen somewhere a front 'card' sheet probably 150gsm+ with a whole stamped in the front so you can see the clients address/details on and then on the card cover the logo of the business with business address displayed. Looks VERY nice and professional and i would like to emulate this buy doing the same. Anyone seen/heard of this if so do you have any info on it??
Most professional accounting firms produce their final accounts bound with their own cover. Not sure where they get them from but probably best to do a google search or go and speak to a couple of local accounting firsm in your area.
Staples are super expensive. As are some of the other big places like viking. I use a local place for specialist stuff. They can deliver anything next day and have decent prices.
For the likes of comb binders etc. try ebay. For wallets, folders, paper, pens etc. I find that you can't beat the supermarkets for price.
Use Tesco's for everyday Paper, foolscap folders and Ink (not for the paper that gets sent to clients).
Everything else (including pens which I'm very picky over) comes either from Amazon or Vistaprint (if there is an element of personalisation involved).
I get salesmen coming to my office a lot and initially I signed up with a couple of stationary companies but once they have you the actual catalogue prices are nothing like the initial offers and staples actually works out cheaper (no wonder they can all afford free next day delivery).
Biggest surprise that I had was the shocking price of A4 pads (which I get through a lot of) so I keep an eye out for bargains and then order a couple of dozen at a time (5star 200 sheet A4 refill pads are particularly good value for good quality paper).
With the comb bound documents I use two different approaches. One is the window version that you have already seen. (I use that for final accounts) and the other is a clear plastic cover (That I use for management accounts). In all cases I use a heavy dark blue card back page to give the documents weight and stability giving the client something that feels substantial.
On that whole matter I really need to buy a new binding machine. Mine is a combined punch and binder. It's a good quality heavy duty one but it still feels fiddly binding documents (not time consuming, just fiddly making sure that the binding strip is perfectly in place before turning the machine to produce the finished document) Any suggestions?
kind regards,
Shaun.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
I have seen sealers that may help Shaun, they effectivley bind stuff together; but im not sure how long this lasts for or how well it looks compared to comb binding, which is as we both think looks A LOT more professional.
Where did you get your 'windowed' paper from then? All i can see for comb binder front covers is clear ones or just a sheet of card... :(
We use Jenkinsons. We recently changed to them from Lyreco due to their credit control department constantly ringing about 'overdue' invoices when really they wasn't. Also, Lyreco send out sales people ALOT! They demonstrate products you don't need regardless whether you are busy or not.
I think stationary shops are much cheaper than the bigger companies though so it might be worth just using Wilkinsons, Tesco etc.
Mmmm, ok. Sounds good, I would like to try and keep things 'local' as i intend on joining a group called 'Buy Local' in Norwich who all work together to keep money ion the local economy!
ClawzCTR wrote:Where did you get your 'windowed' paper from then? All i can see for comb binder front covers is clear ones or just a sheet of card... :(
Hi Gary,
You make them. The binder machines are also punches so any paper and card can be bound together.
this is the sort of covers that I was talking about (but this is not where I got mine from)
You punch the holes then put the binding strip onto the front of the machine, turn the handle and wallah, bound document.
As I say though, even my better one than this isn't great so I am in the market to upgrade if there is a more user freindly machine out there.
kind regards,
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Yep, they're one of the one's I get on my doorstep.
I always thought "That's not a very well chosen name to inspire trust!".
That said, My only issue with them is that their prices seem ridiculous (I think that they must buy Retail at staples and then sell on!).
kind regards,
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
I use similar to shaun as far as windowed card goes. I bought mine locally from a small stationery shop at a reasonable price in packs of 100. My comb binder cost less than £20, I thought it would last 6 months then I'd buy a better one, but 2 years later it's still going strong. Here is the same one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000YC1RNS/ref=asc_df_B000YC1RNS10573773?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=B000YC1RNS
Yep, they're one of the one's I get on my doorstep.
I always thought "That's not a very well chosen name to inspire trust!".
That said, My only issue with them is that their prices seem ridiculous (I think that they must buy Retail at staples and then sell on!).
kind regards,
Shaun.
Their prices are unbelievable I agree. Compared to our new supplier they are around £3-£5 more expensive on each product. And their 'deals' seem to be on stupid stuff that you don't need. Such as neon coloured staplers and hole punches which we have already in everyday colours I mean.
As for those covers Shaun, even better... now i know how to look for them, the 'leather' effect ones are a bit too flashy for me, and the glossy ones I think I may have issues printing on but now i know the search words then i can look futher a field :)
Might revisit my stationery suppliers in the future but as only really have limited time eg evenings/weekends to order then viking-direct works for me at the moment.
All Stationery, like pens and cheap paper, normal ring binders etc I get from Asda, they are really good and the cheap paper is quite good as well.
If I want better paper then I go to Rymans Stationers, local to me, or a very local little stationery shop, although they aren't really cheap just convenient.
in everyday colours I mean.
