A quality Parker pen writes nicely and looks professional

Parker Pens

Do you often start to write with that naff biro that scratches the paper instead of rolling across it?  Or
do you get your chewed up 2nd hand pencil out in front of a client and feel embarrassed about it.
If you are in one of those camps, perhaps you should invest in a nice new Parker pen.  Prices start from less than £10 for a Parker Jotta and for under £20, you can get a snazzy IM ballpen or a elegant fountain pen.

Binding Machines

Do you have to create brochures for your business?  If so, you can make them look more professional by binding them with comb or wire binding machine.  The latest models make putting a brochure together simple and quick.  There are lots of different sizes of combs and wires, so there is something to match almost any thickness document that is required.  The main makes of binding machine that Octopus supply are GBC and 5 Star.  GBC are our most popular binding machine as they have been for a number of years.

Franking machines versus PIP - what costs are involved?

Franking Supplies

Franking Ink

We tried a franking machine and found there were costs that we hadn't accounted for.  There is the rental of the franking machine and franking ink that is required for a start.  The franking ink can be quite costly, especially if you are using genuine manufacturers ink such as Pitney Bowes or Neopost.

Postage Mistakes

We then had the issue of the odd mistake with the cost of the postage, which is either difficult to get refunded or impossible, so in the cases that we had, we just ignored them and put it down to a beginners error.

Franking Labels

Then there are franking labels for the bulky items that will not go through the franking machine, these are generally sold in boxes of 1000.

All in all there are quite a few expenses that you may realise are required until you start using one.

PIP Requirements

Envelopes

You can have your envelopes printed with your licence number and assuming you use the same sizes all the time, this can be quite cost effective.  This is more the case if you send a lot of mail out.

Labels

If you use lots of different sizes of envelopes and packages as we do, then labels are the answer. The labels used for PIP are 24 per per sheet and can be just standard address labels on A4 sheets, similar to Avery address labels.

Toner or Ink

There is a cost to printing labels, ie the toner cartridges or inks required to print, however, with a mono laser printer this is quite minimal.  A good quality desktop laser printer can produce a sheet of 24 labels for less than 2p.

2015 Diaries

As of today, there is just over 2 months until Chrstmas and then only another week until the end of
2014 and the beginning of a new year.
Octopus can supply 2015 diaries for business use in a range of styles, colours and formats.  Below you will find our 4 most popular diaries and each one apart from the jumbo diary is available in a choice of colours, including black, blue and red.

A4 - Jumbo Diary (this has 2 full pages for every day).
A4 and A5 - Day To A Page (this has one full day for each day of the year).
A4 and A5 - Week To View (this has a week across 2 pages, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday on the left and Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the right).

Tachograph Discs or Tacho Disks - Call them What You Like

Trucks, wagons, coaches and buses have to record their speed and time driving.  They do this using a tachograph that is installed in there vehicle.  There are 2 types of recording systems that we supply accessories for and the tachograph disks are the older version.  We supply tacho disks in one type only these days, the reference being CK801/1101G for use with the Kienzle equipment.

A5 Wooden Clipboard

If you run a bar or a restaurant and need a small clipboard for your menus or wine lists, an A5 wooden clipboard might be ideal.  The hardboard back and chrome butterfly clip can even be aged to look more vintage and rustic.  We have even stamped some with words such as pizza, pasta, chips, burger, steak or with coffee symbols.  These clipboards are also available in A4 and A3 size in a similar style.

Frames for Pictures or Certificates

Octopus supply a good range of frames that can be used for displaying company photos of products or work that has been undertaken.  They are also commonly used for certificates or training diplomas that have to be mounted on walls in your office.  They are available in many sizes including A5 and A3 as well as the more popular A4 frames.  Types of frames stocked are clipframes, gold, silver and black frames to name but a few.  Certificate frames are generally A4 size and can be used in either landscape or portrait format.

Computer Desk For The Home Or Office

Computer Desk

Whether you work from home or just have a PC in your spare room, a computer workstation will make your work or play more pleasurable.  Computer desks come in a choice of colours and can be mobile on casters or static.  Some of the computer desks have a roll out keyboard shelf that can hide away your keyboard when not in use.  Finishes that are available are oak, beech, or solid colours such as black and white.

DIY Business Cards

Octopus are a stockist of Avery Quick & Clean business cards.  They are available in a glossy, satin or matt finish and come in 3 different weights.  The thinnest are 200gsm and can be printed in a photocopier, laser or inkjet printer.  There is also a matt or glossy inkjet business card in 250 or 260gsm.  The laser DIY business cards are the thickest, being 270gsm and have a nice satin finish that looks professional when printed.

Heavy Duty Hole Punch

Heavy Duty Hole Punch

Octopus supply hole punches for almost any application.  Whether it is a single hole punch for a law office or
a heavy duty punch for a busy accountants.  The heavy duty hole punches that Octopus can supply range form a 30 sheet capacity up to a massive 150 sheet capacity.  The larger punches often have replaceable cutting dies that give the punch a longer life span.

Conference Folder

If you are a salesperson, a consultant or a an advisor and you have meetings then you might need a

Conference Folder

conference folder.  There are many to choose from and they vary in cost, from a cheap faux leather folder to a high quality real leather folder.  Some have pockets and a ring binder inside, whilst others are slim and have just a couple of sleek pockets to hold papers in place. For more information on conference folders please get in touch.

Personnel Files & Folders For Staff

Personnel Files

Do you have use employee files to keep your staff information up to date.  Octopus supply a range of files and folders to help keep all of your staff memos, notes and forms in order.  The Sigma employee file is designed just for that purpose and is pre-printed to make the job of the HR department easier.
The Sigma personnel files are available in green, yellow and blue in the standard capacity version.  There is also and extra capacity version that is available in yellow or green and they expand to 30mm.

Buy A Nobo In Out Board For Your Reception Area

A Nobo In Out Board helps tell your receptionist or secretary which staff are in the building.  This can be a health and safety issue or to make their job easier when receiving calls for members of staff.  Octopus supply a range of IN Out boards, some very cheap and basic and several with message holders incorporated.