Stationery and paper for the office and school: order at a good price
A4 paper: what to look at
Offices spend most on paper, so it is worth understanding. Standard office paper is usually 75 GSM; lighter 70 GSM is fine for drafts, and heavier 80–100 GSM suits double-sided printing and presentations. Brightness and smoothness affect whether the paper jams. For ordinary laser printing, standard paper is often enough, while for documents with photos or colour a better quality is worth it.
When buying by the box, ask how many reams are in the box: most often 5 reams of 500 sheets.
Cartridges and toner: the printer model is the key
This is where a mistake costs most. State the exact model of the printer or the cartridge code, for example HP LaserJet 1020 and cartridge 12A. Ask whether it is original, a new compatible one or a refilled one: the price and the yield differ, and the warranty on replacement needs to be checked.
How it works through BlaBlaPrice
Instead of comparing the price lists of several suppliers, you write one request, and they reply in the chat with prices and terms for delivery to your office. Sellers see where their offer ranks and can improve it, so for regular purchases the terms often come out better. It is free for the buyer. Contacts are opened only to the seller you choose. More in how it works.
What to put in your request
- What exactly — A4 paper, pens, notebooks, folders, file pockets, a stapler, cartridges.
- Specifications — the GSM of the paper, ink colour, the number of pages in a notebook, ruling.
- Quantity — reams, boxes, pieces.
- Brand, if you have a preference.
- Printer model for cartridges.
- Wholesale or retail — a one-off purchase or a regular one for an office or school.
- Delivery, the city and budget.
Example: “I need 10 reams of 500 sheets of A4 paper, 75 GSM, and a 12A cartridge for an HP LaserJet 1020. Delivery to an office in Hyderabad. Budget up to ₹5,000.”
How to compare offers
Count the price per sheet or per ream at the same weight and quality. See whether delivery is included in the price and above what amount it is free. If the purchase is regular, agree a schedule and a price for several months, but ask whether the cost can change.
For a business, ask whether they provide documents for the accounts: a GST invoice. For a school, it helps to ask for a set made up from the list, so you don't have to collect it from shops.
Common mistakes
- Taking the “cheapest” paper without checking whether it jams in the printer.
- Ordering a cartridge by the printer's name instead of the exact code.
- Comparing the price per ream when the reams have different numbers of sheets.
- Not saying that the purchase will be repeated, and losing the bulk discount.
An office will also need furniture, and for cleaning household supplies and cleaning products.
