Are you looking for a new supplier for your office envelopes? Maybe you’ve recently been let down by your current stationery suppliers and they seem to consistently fail to deliver? Are you finding your budget stretched and that you need to make some major cut backs? Maybe you’re just starting out and are researching the most convenient suppliers for your needs. Whatever your specifics, LA Office are sure to tick all the boxes, delivering a service which is second to none.

Our selection of envelopes are manufactured by a long list of reputable brands giving you maximum choice and guaranteeing you’ll find the right products for you. Our envelopes are available from brands such as 5 Star, AF, Ambassador, Basildon Bond, CEP, Conqueror, Croxley Script, Ecolabel, Finish, GE, Jiffy, Kraft, New Guardian, Plus Fabric, Postmaster, Postsafe, Sage, SmartBox, Tyvek, Uno and Whitebox. Choose from sizes including 15 x 10, 16 x 12, C4, C5, DL and from envelope types such as machine, padded, polythene protective and speciality. You can also choose between a variety of colours and window options, plus sealing mthods such as gummed, peel and seal and press and seal.

The list really does go on, however we’d like to recommend a particular brand who specialise in white DL envelopes. You could of course opt for our budget 5 Star range which simply don’t get any better in terms of value for money, however if you’re looking for that little bit of extra quality, then Basildon Bond are the way forward. Take a look at the White Recycled Basildon Bond DL Envelopes featured. Available in small packs of 100 and made using 100% recycled paper; these wallet style, strong 100gsm envelopes boast an easy peel and seal closure. Priced at just £4.44 inc VAT, you cant go wrong!

Alternatively a fantastic the brand we recommend for excellent Brown DL Envelopes is New Guardian. The featured Heavyweight Pocket Manilla New Guardian DL Envelopes are a very popular choice among our customers! These exceptionally strong envelopes combine good looks and strength! Made using heavyweight 130gsm manilla with a subtle ribbed texture and distinctive sheen, these envelopes also boast fantastic environmental credentials.  All items are made from EU Eco-label accredited paper - better for the environment! Available in boxes of 500, these peel and seal envelopes are great value for money at just £21.12 inc VAT!

With so many unbeatable deals and a great choice of styles and brands, make LA Office your number one choice for envelope supplies!

Most educational facilities will have an art and design department where various artistic abilities and talents are discovered and where many students find their hidden passion for art and all this entails. However in order to encourage this lust for imaginative, creative work, the correct tools must be provide so that students are able to flourish! The basics can never be forgotten such as the medium which will be used in class (paint, charcoal, pencil, pastel etc) and the basics such as paper, knives, brushes and so on. However many people leave it to the last minute before they purchase cutting mats.

A cutting mat is strongly advised wherever cutting implements are used. So this of course is not just in educational facilities. You will find as standard, cutting mats in areas such as photography studios, design and advertising studios, in the home for card and paper crafts, for quilting and other fabric work, the list is endless. It is used not just to protect your surfaces (and your blades), but also as a measuring tool to ensure a clean and straight cut. All cutting mats will feature a measuring grid printed onto their surface for guidelines.

Another less common use for a cutting mat is to aid in handwriting, this is most common with calligraphy as the mat can be slipped under their paper and used as a reference to ensure letters are written evenly and in a straight line. Of course this then also doubles up as a protective layer for your desk or table, protecting it from impressions and ink spills or seepage.

Here at LA Office we have a selection of self healing cutting mats which are made by the brand Linex. Available in A1, A2 and A3 sizes, you will find a mat suitable for your task and your space. Take a look at our A2 Linex Cutting Mat for example.

• Three layer, one hard layer between two soft layers
• Can be used on both sides
• Anti-slip, self-healing material
• Metric millimetre grid on one side
• A2 Size
• RRP £36.45 – Our price just £13.18 inc VAT!

You can simply order on line, or if you’re looking to purchase in bulk, we can look at giving you an even better price. Call us on 0870 766 1722 for quotes, ordering and more information. And remember, orders over £30 qualify for free delivery!

These days many individual and businesses opt for the laser printer in their homes and offices. With many companies’ now printing text and graphics it’s more important than ever before to achieve the quality that a laser printer gives. Businesses now print their own envelope designs and flyers rather than outsourcing the work, they create CD Labels and headed paper and they even send glossy print outs and photographs. And of course you have your everyday colour printing requirements such as charts and graphs and various presentation paperwork.

Thanks to inkjet, laser printers have not only a higher resolution, but they boast a higher print speed too. What’s more, when the print is complete, the ink won’t smear or bleed either, as it sometimes does with inkjets. The common misconception is that laser printers cost a fortune in ink in comparison to inkjet varieties; however it actually costs less per page to print with a laser printer as a single toner cartridge can actually last for thousands of pages!

At LA Office, not only can you get your hands on a great selection of Laser Printers, but we also have a large variety of Laser Labels too! Available from brands such as 5 Star and Avery you can choose between quality budget and superior perfection. Designed to work in sheet-fed laser printers, you can be confident in the perfect results you’ll receive.

We have a variety available in clear which are great when using coloured or patterned envelopes, plus we also have various other colours too, like blue, white, green, red, yellow, silver, neon red, fluorescent yellow and neon yellow! But that’s not all, the list goes on further! Our laser labels also come in permanent or repositionable adhesive too, along with other options such as Jam-Free, Quick-Peel, Recycled, Blackout, Price Gun, Block-Out, Anti-Tamper, Name Badge, No-Peel, Triple-Bond, Weatherproof and Pre-Printed. Phew! So before you shop, we suggest you decide specifically what it is you’re looking for!

If you’d like some help choosing, please don’t hesitate to get in touch! You can contact us on 0870 766 1722.

Have you ever considered making more of an effort with the presentation of your work? An employer is far more likely to employ a person who can showcase their portfolio of work well and with attention to good presentation, than they are to someone who has clearly made little effort in terms of how their work will come across. Similarly, in any situation where you are trying to impress, for example when you are starting up your own business and are applying for a business loan, you will want to focus not only on the content of your proposal but on the way you sell yourself, your business and your figures.

Those looking at buying a product or service will be drawn into making a sale by, and only by the person or company who has - as by now I’m sure you’ve guessed - presented their product or service in a professional and sophisticated way. Handing over a few sheets of paper to demonstrate your product will only give a cheap and unorganised impression, this will not sell.

Here at LA Office we have an exceptional variety of Easel Binders which have become extremely popular among students, artists, business, designers, architects and so many more. Easel binders are very much the same as presentation binders however they have the additional feature of being able to stand upright for display and presentation purposes which can be very useful when giving a demonstration of your work and presenting to a number of people.

Our Durable range is certainly the brand to opt for if you’re looking to impress, take our Durable Durastar Presentation Easel Binder Range for example, one of which is featured to your right.

• Distinctive portable display easel
• New rigid, moulded spine allows upright shelf storage
• Replaceable index/title strip
• Ribbed soft PVC front cover
• Velcro fastening
• 4 ring mechanism will hold up to 30 pockets
• Supplied with 10 pockets
• Available in A4 and A3 sizes
• Prices starting from just £30.17 inc VAT!

The Green Bit

Protection of the environment is one of the great challenges of our time. Virtually no modern corporate organisation acting with a sense of responsibility can afford to dispense with eco management. After all, this one planet is all we have. Eco management can only have a lasting effect if the company practising it is engaged in continuous improvement.

Eco Friendly

DURABLE products are particularly eco-friendly thanks to their durability. The plastic materials they use are robust, have excellent recycling properties and can be disposed of together with normal refuse with no problem at all.

In accordance with its guiding principles, Durable continuously aim to further optimise their ecology-oriented management. Their aim is to develop products that are largely recyclable (of course they should also be produced at low cost and yield a reasonable profit!). To meet this ideal as closely as possible, Durable continuously carry out critical analyses of the environmental impact of their products and production processes. Thus the material thicknesses of their products and above all, their packaging are constantly reviewed for possible enhancements. Through packaging modifications developed in-house, Durable have been able to achieve significant material savings and reductions in volume. Durable also demonstrate their responsibility towards the environment through their purchasing policies. Important decisions in favour of ecologically sustainable production are being made in regular project meetings between their purchasing department and suppliers. Careful selection of optimal materials is one way to protect the environment.  The right choice of suppliers is also as important to Durable. They never fail to check whether the manufacturers and their suppliers are certified, and how they are being regulated. These questions must always be answered before they decide on any purchase.

There’s a lot going about this Christmas with flu and nasty colds rife, however the Norovirus (also known as the winter vomiting bug) has also reared its ugly head and is affecting people of all ages across the UK. The highly contagious virus causes vomiting and diarrhoea which lasts for a couple of days and can cause dehydration; we don’t want that at Christmas now do we, No!  

The virus is passed around by contact with an infected person, particularly through their hands. However you can also catch it through contaminated food or drink or by touching contaminated surfaces or objects. So to prevent the spread you will need to;

• Wash your hands frequently
• Do not share towels or flannels
• Disinfect any surfaces that an infected person has touched

You can expect to find outbreaks in busy places including hospitals, GP’s, nursing homes, schools and offices because the clever virus can survive for several days on surfaces or objects which have been touched by an infected person.

If your idea of Christmas cheer is a house full of vomiting people, Christmas dinner in the bin (or rather in the loo) and eau de spew, instead of eau de pine needles, then carry on as you are, I’m sure you’ll enjoy just that. However if you’d like your belly to retain your Christmas pud and would like to take full advantage of the seasons boozing, then be vigilant! If you spot a colleague at work turning green, running to the loo’s frequently, off their food or smelling of vomit, steer well clear, or better still, report it to the boss, I’m sure they’ll forgive you….maybe. But we highly recommend the use of hand sanitisers, frequent washing and disinfecting of surfaces and objects! Although we cannot apply the lotions and potions for you, we can help you with all of this and even have offers on these items.

May we recommend the Purell Pal Hygienic Hand Gel Sanitiser and funky holder featured to the right. We advise that you apply the sanitiser whenever you enter and leave the premises so that you don’t bring germs in, just as you don’t take germs out. We also have this product without the holder for if you’d like to pop it in your bag for on-the-go use.

• Kills 99.99% of harmful bacteria present on the hands
• PURELL is a trademark of Johnson & Johnson and is used under license
• PURELL Pal with 240ml bottle
• Just £8.00 inc VAT!

We also have Maxima Antibacterial Surface Cleaner is another must have during the winter period and should be used to clean all work surfaces, desks and can be sprayed onto a cloth to wipe over keyboards, mice and telephones.

• Contains an effective bactericide
• Trigger spray
• An all-purpose cleaner and sanitiser
• For use on all surfaces, fridges and microwaves
• Safe to use where food is prepared
• Size: 750ml
• Packed 2
• Just £4.88 inc VAT!

We all remember the winter of 2010-2011 and what an end to 2010 that was. With councils everywhere out of grit, residents snowed into their own homes, cars abandoned, airports at standstill and schools across the UK forced to shut down, it was certainly a winter we’ll never forget. I could count on one hand the amount of people I knew whose pipes DIDN’T burst, and in rural areas like mine disaster struck as the masses ran out of oil to heat their homes. With oil companies unable to deliver, families unable to afford to fill up their oil tanks due to the rises costs, it’s no wonder so many pipes burst. It was as if the world went back in time. Freezing homes, pans of water boiling on the stoves to heats baths or dish water; washing machine pipes frozen, water pipes frozen and the biggest epidemic of flu and pleurisy I’ve ever seen. Christmas was a washout and to say a cloud of depression overcast us, would be an understatement!

Some predictions have said that we will have four of these shocking winters in a row, and recent forecasts by James Madden have suggested November, December, January and February will feature largely below-average temperatures across many parts of the UK and the likelihood that temperatures and snowfall records will be broken within this time frame. It is estimated that 1.4million tonnes of salt will be stockpiled this year which means that on average local authorities will have approximately 1,500 tonnes more salt at the ready to treat roads and pavements than they did last winter.

The government has even launched a ‘Get Ready For Winter’ website giving help and guidance on how to deal with the coming weather conditions. Three top tips include;

• Check that pipes are adequately lagged
• Check that you have ordered your winter heating fuel
• Check that you know where your stop-tap is located

These simple guidelines are vital in the home and in the workplace. However in the workplace it is your legal duty to look after the needs of your staff while they are at work. So it is always a good idea to have a back up options should you heating fail, or for instance, if the heating in your premises just isn’t up to scratch. We recommend the Bionaire Fan Heater featured. This remarkable and affordable heater has a digital thermostat and display and IP21 protection against vertical water-drops. The powerful 2200w heater is ideal for medium sized rooms and even has a cool blow function, not that you’ll that this winter! With frost guard setting, 24 hour timer and integral carry handle, this portable heater is the perfect winter accompaniment to every premises. At just £39.59 inc VAT, you can even afford to buy one for each office! So while everyone else has a repeat performance of last year, you’ll be snug as a bug in a rug.

Have you considered aiming for a more efficient office in 2012? Many companies decide that the New Year must commence with a complete re-organisation of the office, so that it can perform better during the coming year, so that it can run more efficiently and so that it can give each individual a fresh, ‘new beginning’ feeling of clarity and professionalism. Many businesses decide to take on the challenge prior to the New Year so that in January when everyone returns, the office is fresh and ready for a more productive year. Others decide to take on the task when they return, fresh, batteries recharged and motivated to get things done.

One of the most effective changes you can make in the office is to update your filing system giving it a fresh face, taking out and archiving the old, and better categorising the new. This is where file dividers are truly priceless. They enable you to separate your files into categories making it easier to find specific documents in a hurry. Many also offer an index so that you know precisely where in your filing system you will find the paperwork you need.

A highly popular option is the adhesive tabs, like for example the 3L Repositionable Index Tabs featured. We have chosen these due to their affordability; with our current economic state most businesses and individuals are watching their spending, aware of this, here at LA Office we strive to find you the most affordable options. These tabs allow you to revive tired old file dividers instead of replacing them enabling you the option of re-categorising your indexes by covering old, marked tabs, with fresh new labels to mark as you please. They will also strengthen tired out tabs and can be removed when they too become old, leaving the old tabs ready for new index tab labels. Left blank, these tabs can be written on as you please so that you can categorise your files in whatever way you see fit.

• Write-on index tabs
• Great for indexing of books, catalogues and files to create a quick overview
• Possible to write or type on the tabs
• Repositionable
• 25mm tabs
• Assorted colours
• Packed 72
• Just £2.21 inc VAT!

With their increasing success of local and global sales, 3L’s philosophy remains close to their hearts: Independence, tradition and continuity combined with a pioneer spirit and innovative drive. This means that they are able to respond quickly to and closely manage the demands of today’s global market, whilst providing an unbeatable, rapid response to customer service and support.

3L focus their energies on the development of new and innovative products across the entire range of their product line. They strive to continuously improve what they do and how they do it, so that they are able to guarantee their customers, worldwide, the best from their ever developing range of products and services.

For the record, 3L have once again been awarded the Quantore Operational Award for excellence in quality, product range, operational performance and reliability.

In the run up to Christmas we will be talking a great deal about the festive period and the effects this has on business. During this time here at LA Office we see some dramatic changes in the way our customers shop and the products they buy. Our sales of paper, envelopes, ink and labels go through the roof as companies are busy sending out promotional newsletters and offers to their customers. In accordance with this change we make sure our supplies of these items are greater so that we can meet customer demand, and what’s more, we bring our prices right down so that we can be sure that we’re ahead of the competition.

One of the best sellers is our Enveloping Machine Envelopes. With the dramatic increase in outbound mail during this season, businesses resort to envelope filling machines as they save time and of course resources. Using an envelope machine will free up people power leaving your staff to work on more trying matters than stuffing envelopes! What’s more, the envelope machine will do the job faster, without error and minus the paper cuts!

Our range of Envelopes For Automatic Envelope Filling Machines are available from the brands 5 Star and Postmaster giving you the choice of value for money or the quality you expect from bigger brands. However there isn’t much between the two and since Christmas is such an expensive time for us all, maybe it would be worth considering the 5 Star variety. Take for example these 5 Star White DL 90gsm Window Gummed Mail Machine Envelopes;

• 5 Star Mailing Machine Envelopes
• Oversized for machine insertion
• Biodegradable window film
• Trapeze style flaps to aid insertion
• Size: DL, 114 x 235mm
• White
• Packed 500
• Just £23.34 inc VAT!

At such great value for money and all the features and quality you would need and expect, why pay more? These envelopes are the ideal choice for sending out business mail; however they are also available in C5 size too for when you’re sending out greetings cards, brochures or documents that shouldn’t be folded more than once. If you’d like some assistance in choosing your perfect envelope, please do not hesitate to get in touch; call our offices on 0870 766 1722 where there is always someone on the other end of the phone more than happy to assist you.

As you’re business continues to succeed you’ll find yourself employing an ever growing workforce to share the load. Managing growing numbers of staff can be quite a chore and keeping on top of their whereabouts whilst going about your own work can become a nightmare. With so many rules and guidelines, health and safety has gone mad, however the law is the law and if you want to stay in business you must keep within it! Your employee safety must be as important to you as your business itself, as today they go hand in hand; you cannot have one without the other.     

You should bear in mind that you have a legal duty to carry out fire drills and when you do so that you appoint someone to take a roll call or register to ensure that all employees are safe. Your fire certificate should provide details of how often fire drills need to be conducted, however if your premises do not require fire certification, you should carry out a fire drill at least once a year. Tools which can be extremely beneficial during fire drills are In/Out Boards; however these are also great for tracking general employee whereabouts which can be extremely beneficial for offices that are target driven.

Our Indesign In/Out Board featured is ideal in most any environment and features;

• For keeping a record of whether staff are in or out of the office
• Gives easy reference in an emergency
• Can be easily removed to assembly point
• 20 names per board
• WxDxH: 597 x 25 x 220mm
• Just £87.89 inc VAT!

This particular board allows for two departments/teams/offices etc, featuring two headed columns. So for example you could have a column for your mailroom and another column for your sales room. Each column them allows for the recording of up to 10 employees (20 employee total) whereabouts giving the option to state whether they are “IN” or “OUT”. However we have plenty of other Office In Out Sliders should this particular one not be appropriate. For example you will also find options that allow you to keep track of up to 10, 15 and 25 employees. Of course if your office has more personnel than this, you could always purchase more information boards.

For help and guidance or for quotes on bulk orders, please get in touch on 0870 766 1722.

Are you like me and appreciate the power of the age old flipchart during a meeting or presentation? It so simple yet so effective; use you giant flipchart pad as demonstration tool during your presentation and let the bold ink stand out from the contrasting pure white paper. A flipchart pad allows you to brainstorm ideas and concepts with others, and as each page fills, unlike a white board, you can simple turn the page – no need to clean and start afresh! Another benefit to this method is the used pages can then be referred back to later on and for notes, but also to go over at the end in order to summarise the meeting.

But of course no flipchart pad is complete without flipchart marker pens and as far as we’re concerned, the bolder the better! One of the best flipchart markers out at the moment are the Staedtler Lumocolor Flipchart Markers featured.

• Dry-safe ink - can be left with cap off for 2 days without drying out
• Odourless water-based ink
• Waterproof on most surfaces
• 22% recycled
• Black
• Bullet point
• Line width: 2.0mm
• Packed 10
• Just £8.91 inc VAT for 10 markers!

If and when your pens do run out however, all is not lost. You can buy yourself a little time while you order in your next batch by giving them a little boost. Depending on whether or not they’re water based, you simply dip the tip in nail varnish remover and pop the cap back on for a few minutes. You will almost instantly see the results of a fully restored marker, but bear in mind, it is a temporary fix! Alternatively, if you are restoring water based markers, dip the tip in water instead. We’ve even found that a short spell in the fridge can give them a second lease of life too! Why not give these ideas a try and tell us what you think?