 |
 Smead Colored End Tab Classification Folders with 2 Dividers Letter Size Red $36.76 Time Remaining: 3d 6h 21m Buy It Now for only: $36.76 |
 NEW Smead Colored Top Tab Fastener File Folder 12940 $29.99 Time Remaining: 22d 13h 1m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
 100 Name Color Coded Labels Smead 67158 $4.18 Time Remaining: 29d 9h 32m Buy It Now for only: $4.18 |
 Smead Single Year 250 Color Coded Labels 67912 $5.94 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 9m Buy It Now for only: $5.94 |
 SMEAD ETS 09 67909 250 Color coded labels $2.50 Time Remaining: 19d 19h 9m Buy It Now for only: $2.50 |
 Smead Alphabetic Color Code Label Letters V 67192 $6.99 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 44m Buy It Now for only: $6.99 |
 SMEAD ETS 10 67910 250 Color coded labels $2.50 Time Remaining: 19d 18h 55m Buy It Now for only: $2.50 |
 Smead BCCS L alphabetic color coded label L qty 120 67012 Orange chart medica $3.95 Time Remaining: 27d 14h 42m Buy It Now for only: $3.95 |
 Smead Smd 11641 Colored File Folder Letter 85 X 11 1 3 Tab Cut 075 $6.47 Time Remaining: 20d 11h 43m Buy It Now for only: $6.47 |
 Smead BCCS M alphabetic color coded label M qty 120 67013 L Green chart medica $3.95 Time Remaining: 27d 14h 52m Buy It Now for only: $3.95 |
 Smead 25010 Colored File Folders Straight Cut End Tab Letter Blue 100 Box $29.99 Time Remaining: 25d 8h 37m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
 Smead DCCRN Color Coded Labels Number 1 1 x 1 1 4 Light Blue 500 $19.01 Time Remaining: 10d 6h 59m Buy It Now for only: $19.01 |
 Smead BCCS W alphabetic color coded label W qty 120 67023 D Green chart medica $3.95 Time Remaining: 27d 14h 47m Buy It Now for only: $3.95 |
 Smead Alpha Z Color Coded Name Labels First Letter Red Letters AN $9.78 Time Remaining: 23d 9h 12m Buy It Now for only: $9.78 |
 Smead BCCS A alphabetic color coded label P qty 120 67001 red chart medical $3.95 Time Remaining: 3d 10h 39m Buy It Now for only: $3.95 |
 Smead 66808 TB200RY Color Coded Year Labels Year 2008 6 Rolls $40.99 Time Remaining: 16d 16h 44m Buy It Now for only: $40.99 |
 Smead 67087 A Z Color Coded Bar Style End Tab Labels 2 Item Bundle File $25.24 Time Remaining: 22d 1h 31m Buy It Now for only: $25.24 |
 Smead Alphabetical Color Coded Labels 500 pack $11.95 Time Remaining: 13h 48m Buy It Now for only: $11.95 |
 NEW Smead Color Coded Label 67203 $5.99 Time Remaining: 22d 13h 5m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 Smead Third Cut File Folders Letter Size 30 Count in 5 Colors NEW in pack $7.49 Time Remaining: 8d 11h 19m Buy It Now for only: $7.49 |
 Smead 67070 Alphabet A Z Color Coded folder end tab Labels 26 rolls of 500 lot $169.99 Time Remaining: 17d 15h 12m Buy It Now for only: $169.99 |
 Smead Alphabetical Color Coded ACCS Style Labels $4.12 Time Remaining: 13d 12h 10m Buy It Now for only: $4.12 |
 Smead 77257 Two Inch Expansion Colors Wallet with Elastic Cord 7 Item Bund $19.21 Time Remaining: 22d 1h 31m Buy It Now for only: $19.21 |
 Lot 24 Smead Poly File Folders 9 1 2 x 11 1 2 1 3 Cut Assorted Colors 10500 $16.99 Time Remaining: 7d 14h 26m Buy It Now for only: $16.99 |
 SMEAD NUMERIC COLOR CODED LABELS 67331 $16.00 Time Remaining: 18d 5h 15m Buy It Now for only: $16.00 |
 Smead Color Coded Numeric Labels 1 1 2x1 7 8 0 9 Assortment BCCSN ASMT $7.00 Time Remaining: 16d 7h 58m Buy It Now for only: $7.00 |
 SMEAD SINGLE YEAR 250 COLOR CODED LABELS 2012 LOT OF 3 $12.00 Time Remaining: 18d 5h 22m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 |
 Smead TTY Color Coded Labels Year 2008 Self Adhesive 1 2 x 1 Red 250 $10.64 Time Remaining: 14d 9h 43m Buy It Now for only: $10.64 |
 Smead Smd 12940 Colored Top tab Fastener File Folder Letter 85 X 11 1 3 $30.03 Time Remaining: 27d 11h 20m Buy It Now for only: $30.03 |
 SMEAD 25140 HEAVYWEIGHT COLORED END TAB FOLDERS LTR GRN $33.49 Time Remaining: 6d 12h 48m Buy It Now for only: $33.49 |
 SMEAD 75452 Slash Pocket Folders Assorted Colors $14.89 Time Remaining: 11d 7h 26m Buy It Now for only: $14.89 |
 Smead Color Coded Numeric Labels 250 per pack $8.81 Time Remaining: 18d 14h 59m Buy It Now for only: $8.81 |
 Smead Numeric Color Code Labels End Tab 6 7 8 500 Labels Box $21.24 Time Remaining: 9d 10h 19m Buy It Now for only: $21.24 |
 SMEAD 24 POLY FILE FOLDERS 1 3 Cut Top Tab Letter COLOR $19.22 Time Remaining: 3d 12h 49m Buy It Now for only: $19.22 |
 Smead Slash Pocket Recycled Folders 3 Hole Punched 2 5 Tab Assorted Colors $12.76 Time Remaining: 23d 9h 14m Buy It Now for only: $12.76 |
 Smead ETS Color Coded Year LabelPrint MessagYear 2012 $2.85 Time Remaining: 13d 10h 28m Buy It Now for only: $2.85 |
 Smead Viewables Color Labeling System Pack Refill 3 1 2 Inch Assorted 100 P $17.99 Time Remaining: 19d 7h 30m Buy It Now for only: $17.99 |
 Smead File Folder Letter 1 3 Tab Neon Colors $15.43 Time Remaining: 9d 6h 24m Buy It Now for only: $15.43 |
 NEW Smead 67471 Color Coded Label 1 Width x 050 Le $2.99 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $2.99 |
 NEW BOX OF COLOR CODED SMEAD MANILA FOLDERS GRAY $7.99 Time Remaining: 22d 4h 4m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 |
 NEW Smead Colored File Folder 11641 $4.99 Time Remaining: 22d 13h 1m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 Smead 67371 Numeric Number 1 Color Coded red folder end tab Label roll of 500 $10.99 Time Remaining: 17d 15h 12m Buy It Now for only: $10.99 |
 Smead SBS1 Color Coded Labels Self Adhesive 1 2 x 1 Lavender 250 $10.64 Time Remaining: 10d 6h 59m Buy It Now for only: $10.64 |
 Smead BCCS X alphabetic color coded label X qty 120 67024 Blue chart medica $3.95 Time Remaining: 27d 14h 50m Buy It Now for only: $3.95 |
 NEW Smead 67811 Color Coded Label 1 Width x 050 Le $2.99 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $2.99 |
 Smead File Folder Letter 1 3 Tab Neon Colors SMD11925 $14.99 Time Remaining: 14d 1h 49m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 NEW Smead BA300RA Color Coded Alphabetic Label 66738 $9.99 Time Remaining: 24d 44m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 SMEAD END TAB BAR STYLE COLOR CODED LABELS $35.99 Time Remaining: 27d 15h 52m Buy It Now for only: $35.99 |
 NEW Smead Bar Style Color Coded Alphabetic Label 67091 $9.23 Time Remaining: 21d 1h 34m Buy It Now for only: $9.23 |
 NEW Smead 67803 Color Coded Label 1 Width x 050 Le $2.99 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $2.99 |
 SMEAD SINGLE YEAR COLOR CODED LABELS 2009 LOT OF 3 $10.00 Time Remaining: 24d 4h 38m Buy It Now for only: $10.00 |
 Smead Alpha Z Color Coded Name Labels First Letter Dark Green Letters CP $9.73 Time Remaining: 23d 9h 12m Buy It Now for only: $9.73 |
 NEW Smead 67001 Color Coded Label 125 Width x 1 Le $3.07 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $3.07 |
 NEW Smead 67802 Color Coded Label 1 Width x 050 Le $2.99 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $2.99 |
 NEW Smead 67472 Color Coded Label 1 Width x 050 Le $2.99 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $2.99 |
 NEW Smead 67477 Color Coded Label 1 Width x 050 Le $2.99 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $2.99 |
 Smead Smd 12040 Colored Top Tab Fastener File Folder Letter 85 X 11 1 3 $29.74 Time Remaining: 27d 11h 49m Buy It Now for only: $29.74 |
 Smead 2 Inch Capacity File Jackets 12 count in 5 Colors Letter Size NEW $6.99 Time Remaining: 8d 10h 49m Buy It Now for only: $6.99 |
 Smead Smd 64056 Designer Colored Hanging File Folder 2 Expansion 1 3 Cut $16.05 Time Remaining: 27d 11h 35m Buy It Now for only: $16.05 |
 NEW Smead 67708 Color Coded Label 1 Width x 050 Le $4.99 Time Remaining: 5d 10h 55m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 NEW Smead 66808 Color Coded Label 1 Width x 050 Le $4.99 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 NEW Smead 67200 Color Coded Label 1 Width x 2 Lengt $5.99 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 NEW Smead 67204 Color Coded Label 1 Width x 2 Lengt $5.99 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 Smead 25710 Colored File Folders Straight Cut Reinforced End Tab 2 $91.99 Time Remaining: 22d 11h 2m Buy It Now for only: $91.99 |
 SMEAD COLOR FILE FOLDERS 1 3 CUT TOP TAB 100 BOX $20.00 Time Remaining: 8d 23h 56m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 Smead Alpha Z Color Coded Name Labels First Letter Dark Blue Letters BO $9.73 Time Remaining: 23d 9h 12m Buy It Now for only: $9.73 |
 SMEAD SINGLE YEAR COLOR CODED LABELS 2011 LOT OF 3 $10.00 Time Remaining: 27d 5h 40m Buy It Now for only: $10.00 |
 Smead 67372 Numeric Number 2 Color Coded orange folder end tab Label roll of 500 $10.99 Time Remaining: 17d 15h 12m Buy It Now for only: $10.99 |
 Smead 1 3 Cut Colored File Folders NEW $32.99 Time Remaining: 25d 13h 19m Buy It Now for only: $32.99 |
 Smead 1 3 Cut Colored File Folders NEW $32.99 Time Remaining: 25d 13h 19m Buy It Now for only: $32.99 |
 NEW Smead 67225 Color Coded Label 1 Width x 2 Lengt $5.99 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 Smead Plain 2 5 Tab Colored Classification Folders NEW $27.99 Time Remaining: 25d 12h 22m Buy It Now for only: $27.99 |
 NEW Smead 67810 Color Coded Label 1 Width x 050 Le $2.99 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $2.99 |
 Smead BCCS P alphabetic color coded label P qty 120 67016 violet chart medical $3.95 Time Remaining: 27d 5h 37m Buy It Now for only: $3.95 |
 Smead Single Year 250 Color Coded Labels 67911 $5.94 Time Remaining: 4d 19h 9m Buy It Now for only: $5.94 |
 NEW Smead Color Coded Year Labels 2008 66608 $8.99 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 |
 Smead Poly Project Jackets Side Flap Assorted Translucent Colors 5 Pack $10.43 Time Remaining: 23d 9h 13m Buy It Now for only: $10.43 |
 SMEAD ETS 11 67911 250 Color coded labels $6.50 Time Remaining: 4d 17h Buy It Now for only: $6.50 |
 NEW Smead AlphaZ NCC Color Coded Name Label 67156 $2.99 Time Remaining: 22d 13h 2m Buy It Now for only: $2.99 |
 Smead Colored File Pocket Letter Straight Cut 3 1 2 Expansion Blue $9.09 Time Remaining: 23d 9h 13m Buy It Now for only: $9.09 |
 Smead Colored File Pocket Letter Straight Cut 3 1 2 Expansion Yellow $9.09 Time Remaining: 23d 9h 13m Buy It Now for only: $9.09 |
 NEW Smead 67208 Color Coded Label 1 Width x 2 Lengt $5.99 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 Smead Colored File Pocket Letter Straight Cut 1 3 4 Expansion Yellow $8.90 Time Remaining: 23d 9h 13m Buy It Now for only: $8.90 |
 Smead Colored File Pocket Letter Straight Cut 3 1 2 Expansion Green $9.09 Time Remaining: 23d 9h 13m Buy It Now for only: $9.09 |
 Smead Colored File Pocket Letter Straight Cut 1 3 4 Expansion Blue $8.90 Time Remaining: 23d 9h 13m Buy It Now for only: $8.90 |
 Smead Colored File Pocket Letter Straight Cut 1 3 4 Expansion Green $8.90 Time Remaining: 23d 9h 13m Buy It Now for only: $8.90 |
 Smead Colored File Pocket Letter Straight Cut 1 3 4 Expansion Red $8.90 Time Remaining: 23d 9h 13m Buy It Now for only: $8.90 |
 NEW Smead 67479 Color Coded Label 1 Width x 050 Le $2.99 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $2.99 |
 NEW Smead 67805 Color Coded Label 1 Width x 050 Le $2.99 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $2.99 |
 NEW Smead 67804 Color Coded Label 1 Width x 050 Le $2.99 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $2.99 |
 Smead Recycled File Folders Double Pli Top 1 3 Cut Letter Assorted Colors $11.60 Time Remaining: 23d 9h 13m Buy It Now for only: $11.60 |
 Smead Colored One Divider Classification Folders NEW $40.99 Time Remaining: 25d 13h 19m Buy It Now for only: $40.99 |
 Smead 67378 Numeric Number 8 Color Coded lavender folder end tab Label roll 500 $10.99 Time Remaining: 17d 15h 11m Buy It Now for only: $10.99 |
 NEW Smead 67201 Color Coded Label 1 Width x 2 Lengt $5.99 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 NEW Smead 67206 Color Coded Label 1 Width x 2 Lengt $5.99 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 NEW Smead 67209 Color Coded Label 1 Width x 2 Lengt $5.99 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 SMEAD SINGLE YEAR COLOR CODED LABELS 2010 LOT OF 3 $10.00 Time Remaining: 24d 4h 35m Buy It Now for only: $10.00 |
 SMD 25610 2 Smead Colored File Folders Straight Cut Reinforced End Tab $91.99 Time Remaining: 23d 9h 59m Buy It Now for only: $91.99 |
 Smead Colored Two Ply End Tab Folders NEW $43.99 Time Remaining: 25d 13h 19m Buy It Now for only: $43.99 |
 Smead 1 3 Cut Colored File Folders NEW $44.99 Time Remaining: 25d 13h 19m Buy It Now for only: $44.99 |
Smead Color
Office Products Insider Are Private Label Office Supplies Good Value
The cost of office supplies are being scrutinized more today than ever. Many office products buyers are considering private label and store brand items to cut the cost of office supplies. But there is always that reservation about private label and low prices; are they too good to be true. Do private label office products really offer the best value, or do you simply get lower prices offset by shoddy quality?
The answer actually varies by product category. As an office supplies expert who tests and reviews products on a regular basis, I've found that some private label items are as good, and sometimes better quality than the national brands, at a significant savings. I've also seen store brand office products with poor quality, where you'd be far better off sticking with the more expensive national brand.
The first key to saving money and getting value from private label office supplies is knowing which product categories give you both low prices and high quality. The other key is understanding what value brands are best, and where to find them. Let's start by addressing which store brands in general have the highest overall quality.
Universal is my choice for the highest quality value brand. Pricing is usually 30-50% less than national brands, and the quality is often identical. In fact, many Universal products are manufactured by the leading national brands, and so you aren't trading quality for lower prices. My second choice is Sparco who, like Universal, often uses nationally known manufacturers to make many of their items.
Both are good choices, and better than "Office superstore" private label brands. The huge big box chains often use China manufacturers they have sourced themselves, so they can buy directly from the source. Their buying practices force these suppliers to drastically cut quality to give them the low pricing they demand. So, rule number 1 is Universal and Sparco brands typically are ok, but be a leery of office superstore private label.
Now to the product categories themselves. Keep in mind, I'm speaking of Universal brand items in particular. The first category that's a no brainer for value brands is binders for the office. Be it standard 3 ring binders, view binders, or the higher quality D-ring binders, the Universal brand offers good quality at prices up to 50% less. The other category is "standard" filing supplies. Universal items like classification folders, hanging folders, and colored file folders are great values. I will say if you need specialty folders like for medical filing needs, stick with Smead, the best known national brand.
Other categories with good quality and value prices are Universal copier and printer paper, address labels, markers, highlighters, and smaller items for the office like staples, paper clips and rubberbands. Universal legal pads, add rolls, easel pads, and many other "office staples" are national brand quality with discount pricing.
So which Universal items should you avoid? I feel 3M Post-It Notes are the best, and no one has been able to duplicate their quality. If you want to save money, don't scrimp on Post-Its. This applies to Post-It flags and Super Sticky notes too. Staplers and paper punches are another area where Universal prices are a lot lower, but the performance and quality are not to national brand standards like Bostich and Swingline. Other categories to be careful of are desk accessories and higher end shredders. Other than these few categories, Universal will save you big money and give you the quality you need.
Where do you find Universal brand products at low prices? Universal is the "value brand" carried by many independent office products dealers. I buy all my office supplies online from a family owned company that does good work in the community by donating half their profits to charity. They offer free next day nationwide shipping, I save money, and I feel good when I buy from them. I recommend you always stay away from the big chain mega-stores. Their private label quality is poor, and I avoid big corporations whenever possible. Now, happy shopping and go save your small business some cash using value brand office supplies.
About the Author
Tristan Hill writes about
Office Supplies
Online, and knows who has the best deals on
View Binders
and report covers. Zuma Office Supply is his favorite office products company. They Do Good Work and give 50% of profits to charity!
ColorBar 7 Label Design Demo - Smead.com