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Office paper…how complicated could it possibly be?

If paper isn’t amongst the business supplies that you regularly shop for here at Loco (http://www.loco.ie), then you may be curious as to how you could possibly make the wrong choice when the time does finally come to stock up on some. After all, you might have reckoned to yourself… paper is paper is paper, right? And aren’t we supposed to have left paper behind by now, anyway? Aren’t we supposed to be in the age of the ‘paperless office’?

Well, the answer to that last question may be “yes”, but try saying that to anyone who suddenly remembers something that they need to do for a tight deadline that night. More likely than not, instead of noting it on a whiteboard or even the ‘notes’ app of a tablet computer, they’ll reach for a pen and paper before carrying on their merry way. Clearly, we human beings aren’t quite ready to move on from paper yet, and that’s before one considers the continued relevance of high quality printing.

Although many business communications may take place via email these days, you might still want to print out details to keep from time to time, while there are also many other potential reasons to use the old fashioned ‘snail mail’ – such as for title deeds, signed documents and wills. At all times, making the right choice of printer paper and similar supplies helps to maintain the most positive and professional image – and goodness knows how much office-based companies in Ireland need that in the light of the recent economic turbulence.

In keeping with our proud status as the ultimate one-stop shop for office supplies, here at Loco we offer not only printer and copier paper but also the likes of labels, books, envelopes and pads. From 80gsm A4 paper and wide format paper to preprinted stationery and blotting paper, you’ll soon realise that there are many different types of paper that offices require, distinguished by different sizes, colours, weights and textures.

Choosing the wrong type of paper for your given office printer or copier can have disastrous results, so read carefully. For your laser printer or copier that produces text and image using heat and toner, you’ll need to purchase the smoother paper that produces the crispest results. Meanwhile, textured paper is more suitable for the water based ink of inkjet printers, as the ink is able to dry faster. This means that you’ll have sharper text and images with reduced bleeding.

In addition to this, Loco (http://www.loco.ie) offers a vast range of envelopes, including preprinted envelopes, padded bags, machine envelopes and gusset envelopes. Our labels range, meanwhile, encompasses the likes of copier labels, address labels and laser labels, and we also sell the likes of duplicate books, repositional notes and signature books. It all demonstrates the real and continued relevance of paper in an office environment that is also more technologically advanced than ever.

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Our role in your creation of the perfect home office

Loco (http://www.loco.ie) has built a strong reputation as a source of business supplies, from paper, envelopes and labels to desks, seating and lockers. But with so many people now working from home rather than doing the usual commute, online stores like ours are getting more and more custom from freelancers, and less from the company bosses of old times.

Still, as extensive as our office supplies range is, you would hardly be well served by just buying any old thing and hoping for the best, before you have even ascertained your exact needs. After all, we all have those awkward items that we might have once bought in a rush, only to eventually realise that they are pretty much of no use to us. What you first need, then, is to make those big, scary decisions… such as what room to use, and how to make the best use of your available space.

Naturally, your home office needs to be somewhere that is free of distraction, but that also provides a pleasant working environment. It needs to be somewhere where literally the most interesting thing is the work that needs to be done! But that doesn’t mean that you aren’t justified in including just a few little luxuries to brighten up the space, such as an artwork on the wall. If you’re refurbishing a room from scratch, it helps to choose restful colours that will not distract you.

And as for what room exactly you should choose? Well, there are people out there doing everything from converting the loft to having an office built in their garden. Ultimately, money concerns may dictate that you simply make use of a modest study. Once you’ve chosen your space, though, the real fun begins. That’s because you’ll be able to select from a wide range of office furniture items as you start to create a home office space that is well-suited to many consecutive hours of focussed work.

Our desks range, for example, includes computer desks and rectangular desks of various different sizes, while we also offer office chairs of a certain minimum basic standard, along with the associated accessories. Add in a cupboard or two along with any extras like a bookcase, and you have the basics of your next home office. But make sure you’ve devised a good floor plan first, taking particular care to ensure that you can easily move around the office and reach for vital things without too frequently leaving your seat.

There’s a trend towards a relatively ‘paperless’ office these days, and a well-organised office will minimise clutter – but once you’ve established your exact needs, don’t be afraid to order that essential printer paper – after all, hardly any office can avoid it completely. Loco (http://www.loco.ie) really is your place to shop for items both essential and inessential for your home office.