Gear Up with Organizational Items for 2017

The new year is almost upon us! The change in calendars marks a good time to think about the clutter you've got around the house and your workspace. More inevitably will come in during 2017, so being able to manage, organize and filter out paperwork and other space-eating items might be the first test of the new year. This organization page will help generate some ideas, with great deals on space-saving and item-identifying products you may need before settling into the new year.

Lorell SOHO Vertical File

Every household needs a filing cabinet to store important records. If you don't have one yet, or need to upgrade, consider picking up one of our models. This will offer you space to file documents, either by year or by category, and have them easily accessible when you need them. If records need to be retained but don't need to be instantly available, stock up on Bankers Boxes to store folders and other important documents.

Dymo LetraTag Thermal Printer

If tidying up for the new year leaves you with a bunch of boxes, consider a Dymo thermal label printer to identify everything. These printers are portable and easy to use with a keyboard and variable sizes and fonts available. Use it for boxes, cabinets, or any other place a personalized label will help keep you organized.

Other organizational items on sale include shelving units, desktop reference systems, file sorters and more! The sale runs through the end of the year.

Year-End Closeout Sales!

We're almost through with 2016, and that means closeout sales! OfficeSupply.com has a bunch of great items available at steep discounts to end the year. Check them out and save some money!

OIF Mesh High-Back Chair

Looking for an office chair? There are several products on sale from OIF and Alera to check out. OIF's high-back chair offers the comfort of a mesh back, lumbar support, and multiple adjustments- all for under $100. Rounding out the available furniture are Alera mobile pedestal files that serve as a portable file cabinet.

BIC Great Erase Low Odor Dry-Erase Markers

BIC Great Erase Markers are among the best class of dry erase markers available, striking a nice balance between a low odor and a stroke that's both bold and easy to erase. A multi-color pack is available for just $2.29. Other office essentials include a big pack of Post-It Notes, colorful file folders, and InkJoy pens.

3M Office Air Cleaner

Our closeout sale even includes some facility and health supplies, such as this air purifier designed for large rooms in workplaces. Use this 3M purifier in the conference room or other big parts of the office to reduce orders and filter harmful particles out. You'll also find garbage and recycling cans and bandages and wraps on our closeout page. Deals run until the end of the year, so shop today!

Balancing Work, Family, and Holiday Obligations

As the holiday season reaches its culmination, life may be getting pretty hectic as you try to get work done with limited hours while also finishing holiday preparations with seemingly no free time. Balancing everything without losing your mind is a delicate job that needs to be approached as such. There are a number of steps to take that can help ensure that you manage of all of your end-of-year obligations at work and at home, while still being able to enjoy the holidays and the time they should afford.

At-A-Glance Weekly Planner

You probably already use some sort of calendar, whether it be a handsome bound organizer, a wall calendar, or the calendar app on your phone. All have advantages. Paper calendars may be easier to compile from hand-written lists and reward you with the lovely satisfaction of crossing each task off upon completion. Apps put your schedule at your fingertips and can be synchronized with your email, or with your family or co-workers' calendars. No matter what you use, be comprehensive and include everything- not just your professional obligations. You may feel silly putting shopping or your family's traditional It's A Wonderful Life watch in the same planner as lunch with a client, but this way the time gets blocked out and you're showing commitment. They're both important.

Another key to enjoying downtime with family is to cut back on things that sound fun but are more work than they're worth. Are there parties you only attend out of a sense of obligation? Are you offering to host a gathering that doesn't feel rewarding? Is there a family/office tradition that nobody in the family/office actually enjoys? Try to cut them out of the schedule. Politely decline, suggest alternatives, and get as many unfestive festivities off the schedule. Any shortcuts, whether they be online shopping, potluck dinners or teleconferences, help save time as well.

Once all that remains on your schedule is the truly enjoyable and the truly unavoidable, commit to whatever's on it at the moment. While you're at work, worry about getting your projects finished instead of the gifts you still need to buy. Ideally, you have time budgeted for them. The opposite is true too: don't spend family time trying to get ahead on your work. Relax and enjoy the peace you've afforded yourself. As demanding as the holidays can be, there's no better time to step away from work for a while and spend time recharging and being with those you love. That can only work if you believe in it.

Supplies for Your Last Minute Holiday Shipping Needs

With only a week left until Christmas, you're going to be under the gun to get all of your holiday parcels to their destinations on time. Whether you're shipping packages to distant friends and loved ones or running a small business selling gifts or art online, you can't afford to be late. It's especially harder this year with December 24 falling on a Saturday. This is a bad time to run low on essential packaging supplies, but if you need to restock, we're here to help.

3M Pistol Grip Packing Tape Dispenser

For a limited time, check out our Holiday Shipping Center for great deals, up to 50% off, on packing and shipping essentials. Stock up and save on important items like shipping boxes, packing tape, and Avery address labels. Dymo also has special holiday labels compatible with their label printers. Depending on what you're sending, you may also need mailing tubes or padded mailers to protect the goodies inside.

Dymo M3 Digital Postal Scale

Running a small business or have a lot of gifts or cards to send out? Consider saving some energy with a mailroom scale that will give clear digital readouts so you know how much postage you'll need. Or take advantage of our offers and stock up on bubble wrap, large format envelopes or stretch wrap.

If you need these in a hurry, you're in luck! Most orders arrive in 1-2 business days, so there's just enough time to order your supplies and still get your gifts mailed before the holidays.

Last Minute Gift Ideas at OfficeSupply.com

There are only two weeks left until Christmas! If you're in need of a gift idea, our Holiday Shop has a number of suggestions that your recipient is sure to enjoy, with coupons and sales on several great products!

Weego Battery Pack

Everybody relies on their smartphones these days, so how about an accessory they can use to be more productive? The Weego battery pack is small, light, and packs enough charge to keep a phone running for several more hours. Other phone accessories to consider are charging cables and adapters, screen protectors, and docking stations. If your recipient is more of a laptop person, think about an accessory like new bag or desk stand. From now through next week, order $75 worth of technology products or accessories and qualify for a coupon for $10 off!

Another gift idea is a new line of travel mugs from Contigo. These mugs feature a leak-proof lid that prevents spills while on the go, and are vacuum insulated to keep beverages hot for five hours or cold for twelve! One more item to consider for a travel-minded friend or family member is a professional leather portfolio. Along with a ring binder, these zippered cases have pockets designed for a tablet, a pad of paper, pens, business cards, and other necessities.

Safco Pivot Seat

Offices everywhere are realizing the health benefits of standing desks, but they don't have to be restricted to the workplace. Any home office space can be a standing desk system easily with Kantek converters that are sturdy, easy to adjust, and minimizes the amount of desk space it uses. In addition, Safco has a line of seating designed to work with standing desks. The Pivot seat keeps all the benefits to standing while relieving pressure on the spine and muscles.

All of these and other goodies like fine writing pens and adult coloring books and accessories are available on our Holiday Page!

Creating a Fun and Healthy Work Atmosphere

What kind of workplace atmosphere do you have? Making sure employees are happy and productive might be the basic questions to ask, but creating a positive workplace goes beyond those. Some of the keys are fundamental- working equipment, good lighting, and dedicated space for taking breaks are easy things to undervalue when planning a work space, but can make a huge difference in employee morale and efficiency.

Other things might be considered supplemental, but suggest that a company goes the extra mile to care for everybody in the family. At OfficeSupply.com, these nice extras make for a fun and friendly environment that cares for everybody who works here.

OfficeSupply.com is committed to employee health, offering many ways to stay healthy throughout the day. Anyone in the company is free to use our treadmill desk, which is set up to do work or take phone calls while keeping your feet moving. Those wishing to stay at their workstation can take advantage of a desk bike to get the blood pumping. Also, everyone is free to install a standing desk system, giving us another way to work on our feet and avoid the health problems caused by too much sitting.

 Our collaboration area invites employees to get together and discuss ideas. The couch and chairs are nice for informal meetings, the dry erase easel invites brainstorming, and the table is networked to allow multiple people to use the same computer. This allows projects to be introduced or worked on without occupying a meeting room.

 

Throughout the month, we have a number of holiday events to bring us together. We invited everybody to decorate their office or workstation, with a prize for the winner (chosen by visitors to our Facebook page). Besides a fun contest, the end result is a more festive atmosphere throughout the entire office. Other events later this month will include an ugly sweater contest and a hot cocoa bar.

Avoiding Cold & Flu Season With Good Habits and Great Products

With all of the talk of the holiday season, we're also entering a different season- one we're more inclined to try skipping. Cold & flu season is upon us and always seems to be lurking around the office. You're never guaranteed to avoid catching something over the winter, there are a number of preventative measures and tools at your disposal to increase your odds of getting through it unscathed, and protecting co-workers if you do catch something.

Start by assuming that cold and flu bugs are all over the office. Think about all the surfaces touched by many people throughout the day- doorknobs, countertops, printers and copies, conference room furniture and supplies, breakroom appliances... we're not even in the bathroom yet! Frequent hand washing is essential; OSHA recommends rubbing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Fully drying your hands is also important. If washing isn't a convenient option, keep hand sanitizer on your desk and use it frequently.

Lysol Disinfecting Wipes

Another useful item to have at your desk is a pack of disinfecting wipes. You can't wipe down every suspect surface in your workplace, but at least keep your own space sanitized. This especially includes your keyboard, phones, your desk surface and anywhere else you frequently contact with your hands. Other tips for preventing illness include eating healthy, exercise, fresh air and reducing immunity-weakening stress.

Kleenex Anti-Viral Facial Tissues

If you do catch something, help limit the damage by taking steps to avoid infecting others and keep yourself as healthy and productive as possible. Always have a box of tissues at your desk, preferably within easy reach for sudden sneezes or coughs. If tissues aren't available, cough or sneeze into your sleeve. Ask your workplace to stock face masks that will absorb exhaled germs rather that spreading them throughout the office.

Most importantly, don't be a hero. If you're sick, stay home, especially after the first symptoms arrive. If your cold or flu symptoms include a high fever, wait until 24 hours after it dies down (without help from medication) before returning to work.

Save on Holiday Decorating and Gift Wrapping Essentials!

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday out of the way, a new phase of the holiday season begins- decorations! It's time to put up and dress the tree, string lights, and hang up the decorations. With any luck, the weekend was kind and you were able to secure some early gifts. All your seasonal décor and presents may be ready to go, but don't forget about the items you'll need to get them up, in, and looking their best. It's time to stock up on decorating and wrapping materials, and save money in the process!

Command Small & Medium Hooks

For holiday decorating, Command hooks and strips are a clean alternative to nails and pins. Hooks are sized for every project, from small hooks that hold a pound of weight to larger, general purpose products that hold up to 7 pounds. Strips can support picture frames that would normally require a screw or a nail in the wall. Adhesive strips attach to both the wall and the frame, and are easily removable from both once it's time for the frame to come down. From now through December 18, you can find a coupon on our Holiday Shop page to take $5 off a $25 order of Command products!

Scotch Magic Tape

Likewise, make sure you have everything you need to wrap presents, including wrapping paper and gift bags, scissors, and Scotch tape! Bags can be used as-is or decorated to add even more cheer. We also have a special holiday offer- a coupon for a four-pack of Scotch tape free with a $75 order.

Our Holiday Shop page also has some great gift suggestions, including phone accessories, portfolios, Contigo travel mugs and more!

Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday Deals!

Along with the turkey and pie, Thanksgiving weekend is the best time to save money with big deals from Thursday all the way through Monday. Whether it's holiday gifts for your friends and family, supplies you need around the house, or little stocking stuffers, here's a guide to when you can look for the biggest savings on OfficeSupply.com!

Lorell Computer Desk

You'll want to get up early for Thanksgiving morning, because we'll have special coupons available that will only be good until 11:00 am Central time. You can take 15% off your order or claim bigger discounts on lamps and shelving products. All day long we'll have a coupon lowering the requirement for free shipping. At night, look for reduced prices on products like a Lorell computer desk, Inkjoy pens, and more surprises- including a steep discount on one item artists and coloring enthusiasts won't want to miss!

Keurig Brewing System

If you don't want to venture into the throngs of shoppers, a whole new round of deals starts on Black Friday. We'll have a special Black Friday page up all day to show off the sales on popular products, including a hotel-quality Keurig brewer, an executive fountain pen, and a Stanley screwdriver set. Another big savings coupon awaits that day as well!

Flash Furniture Massaging Office Chair

Not to be outdone, expect more coupons and more sales once Cyber Monday rolls around. One of the biggest online shopping days of the year will feature coupons to claim free Tombow adhesive refills, and discounts on paper towels, Quartet dry erase boards and Lorell vertical files. Later that day, look for additional savings on a carton of paper, a Leitz speaker system, a Lorell sit/stand workstation and a massaging office chair.

With all these savings and many more to come, check out OfficeSupply.com throughout the weekend for some great offers and big discounts!

Crayola Stocking Stuffer Giveaway

Are you a fan of coloring? Want to equip your kids with a wide assortment of markers, crayons, colored pencils, and more? Announcing a new giveaway contest where you can win a $150 prize pack of Crayola products!

All you have to do is go here and sign up by December 18. We'll draw a name the next day and the winner will enjoy all the Crayola magic! Crayola is synonymous with crayons and markers, and the assortment in the prize pack covers that and more. Look at everything you can win- from classic essentials to clay to chalk to watercolor paint, you'll be able to let your creativity run wild. The pack also includes updated offerings like erasable colored pencils and Twistables- retractable crayons!

Twistables Retractable Crayons

The selection also includes a coloring book both children and adults can enjoy. Hurry and enter the contest- we'll select the lucky winner on December 19.

Staying Productive and Motivated Through the Holiday Season

As the holidays approach, we all have various annual traditions we like to honor. We have our ways of celebrating Thanksgiving. We may have a typical time and unique ways to put up a tree. We have parties we like to go to, shopping to get done and plans to make for both. There's also one more tradition popular in offices around the country- counting down the days until we're off work for the holidays. It's an exciting time, but also easy to get distracted and maybe even overwhelmed. That makes it important to have a plan for getting the work done leading up to the end of the year.

House of Doolittle Calendar Desk Pad

End-of-year work is a bit of a double whammy- there's often a lot on everyone's plates as the year winds down, whether it's because of reports or holiday marketing or deadlines before the calendar changes. It's also a time when employees are using the rest of their vacation days, worrying about holiday plans, and waiting for both of those to get here. There are ways to cut through that and stay productive. Start now and list everything that needs completing and when. Make a schedule, (taking into account when co-workers are off if anything involves collaboration), and write it into a calendar- better if it's something nice and visible like a desk pad. As projects get completed, there's extra satisfaction in crossing the days off like an Advent calendar.

Juggling everybody's time off can slow down projects. Instead of being surprised by someone's out-of-office reply, keep track of who on your team is going to be out. Either add it to your calendar or, if there's a shared collaboration space, consider an organizer board that everyone can add to and view.

Optimal Desk Setup (courtesy Fellowes)

Are you getting so antsy for the holidays that you start to feel uncomfortable at your desk? Maybe your desk setup needs improving. Consider a variety of ergonomic solutions such as keyboard managers, wrist rests, footrests, and proper screen placement to make it easier to get through the day. Fellowes has a nice site for identifying potential problem areas. Also, check your desk to make sure only the only items on it are necessary, and that those items are in easy reach. No sense having a file on your desk if it's tomorrow's project. Stash it away and don't think about it until then!

Holidays, festive as they are, can also be a stressful time. Many workplaces have a bunch of holiday-themed activities. They're plenty fun, but only if they don't add to your stress. Don't be afraid to be selective about what you participate in. The company-wide Secret Santa game may be meant to bring everyone closer together, but if it leaves you wondering what gift to get and when you'll find time to get it, don't feel like it's an obligation. Stick to the activities you'll actually enjoy. And on that same note, make a determined effort to enjoy the time off you get. Holiday preparations can be involved and the family gatherings can be exhausting, but make time to refresh. It's important to do what you love and spend time with the people you care about. It makes the countdown that much more pleasant.

OfficeSupply.com Olympics

There's a classic episode of The Office where the Dunder-Mifflin team organizes a series of “Olympic” games around the office- trash can basketball or Flonkerton, the Icelandic “box of paper snowshoe racing” sport. The idea proved popular, and many offices started their own version of the Office Olympics. And why not? They provide fun activities for the entire team, unite departments that may not collaborate much, and possibly reuse yogurt lids. Or have a proper trophy!

Once a quarter the entire office squares off in a different competition, with this trophy, a gift card and pride on the line. Events have included a bean bag toss tournament in the warehouse, giant Jenga in one of the conference rooms, or ladder ball and ring toss outside. There have even been team games like a Pictionary competition. This month is a Thanksgiving-themed Wild Turkey Hunt, sending our Olympians through the warehouse looking for printed cards with random point values.

With the help of some big point turkeys, customer service representative Veronica won the round and will go on to the finals to play for the trophy!

Buy One Item, Get Cool Post-It or Tape Dispenser Free

We're always impressed with the latest dispensers 3M rolls out for its Post-It Notes and Scotch Tape. From fashion to sports to a simple aesthetic, there's something there for every taste. Two new dispensers are out now, and easy to get for free thanks to new rebates that do away with the amount you need to spend. Instead, you only need to purchase one qualifying product to get your hands on these:

3M Post-It Pop-Up Note Dispenser

This retro camera pop-up dispenser is the newest option and thanks to this rebate, yours with the purchase of just one pack of qualifying Post-It Note products. Qualifying products range from colorful 10 packs to cabinet packs that include a handy box for easy storage.

3M Scotch Tape Dispenser

Make your desk feel a little more scholarly with this globe tape dispenser. It holds standard 3/4” Scotch Tape rolls, and again only requires the purchase of one item to claim. Items are a range of Scotch Tape multi-packs from the standard Magic tape to glossy Transparent tape to Greener tape made of 65% recycled materials.

These rebates are available through the end of the year!

CleanSmart Provides Household Cleaning Without Harmful Chemicals

Think about all the cleaning products you have stocked in your house at any given time. You've got glass cleaners, surface cleaners, disinfectants, and all sorts of specialized product for a given job. All of those take up space in your home, and all of those have dangerous chemicals that need to be kept away from children. Even when using a product as directed, you have to be careful not to swallow, inhale, or sometimes even touch it. Doing any of those is a health risk. Wouldn't it be nice to have an alternative that not only covers multiple jobs, but did so using a safer product mixture?

CleanSmart Daily Surface Disinfectant Cleaner

Instead of relying on various hazardous mixtures to clean and kill germs, CleanSmart products use a special ionizing process to a blend of water and salt. The result is a natural chemical called hypochlorous that kills germs and bacteria while remaining safe for human contact. How safe? The same mixture doubles as a hand cleanser!

CleanSmart Antimicrobial Hand Cleanser Spray

In addition, CleanSmart is naturally moisturizing with none of the ethyl alcohol found in some hand sanitizers. It has no scent, sparing you the fumes of other household cleaners, and is safe for use on food contact surfaces. CleanSmart does not leave residue and can be either wiped or air dried. It doesn't even need lengthy first aid information! With one product capable of many other cleaners and sanitizers, why not save space while making your home a little safer?

Adult Coloring Office Supplies

For the last year or so, we've seen a huge rise in the popularity of coloring. What was long considered a children's activity has proven to be quite therapeutic for adults. It makes sense when you think about it. In a fast-paced world filled with technology, it lets us slow down and get off the phones for a few minutes. Coloring is hands on, requires some degree of focus but no real stress, and the end result is a pretty picture filled with your input. Sales of coloring books has seen a marked increase over the last year, and should see another spike during the holidays.

Smead SuperTab Coloring Folders

But why stop at books? There are now all sorts of office supplies available with coloring patterns. These capably fulfill their office duties while also allowing you to indulge in coloring. After all, in the middle of a busy work day in front of a computer, there may be no better respite than taking some time off for a coloring break. Smead has several designs of folders, At-A-Glance, House of Doolittle and Blueline have calendar desk pads, and there is a nice assortment of notebooks and binders as well.

Tombow Dual Brush Pens

You'll also want comfortable coloring instruments. Colored pencils tend to be the favorite, and there are plenty of options from classic Crayola to finer Prismacolor pencils. Tombow Dual Brush Pens are comfortable to use with a pleasing stroke and have quickly become a favorite. Crayons, of course, are still an option, and now they're retractable with Mr. Sketch Twistable Gel Crayons. Yes, they're still scented and yes, it's okay to smell them. Everybody else does.

We've got a nice page with all of our Adult Coloring products and supplies here, along with a place to sign up to download several coloring sheets for free!

Big Savings on NFL Branded Office Supplies

We're drawing closer and closer to football season. To celebrate, Officesupply.com is offering big sales on all of its NFL-licensed products. No matter what your team is, we've got something for you!

Scotch NFL Tape Dispenser Helmet

Almost every team is represented by these 3M tape dispensers. These include a roll of tape and can be refilled with standard 1/2” or 3/4” widths.

Swingline NFL 747 Business Stapler

These Swingline staplers are from the popular 747 line, some of the most durable and trusted staplers around. Now available in colors for selected teams, they can be refilled with standard staple strips.

Rubbermaid 32 Gallon Brute Trash Can

Finally, these Brute garbage cans are only available for certain teams, but these 32-gallon barrels will hold up in any conditions. Sturdy and reliable, the colors won't peel or chip off, offering years of use for both the home and businesses.

Hurry! This closeout sale runs through the end of the month.

Fashion Dorms and Classrooms the Way You Want With Command Strips

Preparing for the new school year doesn't always involve the essentials for class. For college students staying in a dorm or a teacher determined to utilize the entire classroom, feeling comfortable in their environment is vital. Faced with enough challenges and stress as it is, why not make it easy to transform your allotted space into something that's actually you? With space at a premium, the easiest way to do that is to utilize the walls, and Command strips make that possible, even when you can't put holes in the walls.

Command Small Picture Hanging Strips

Command strips are easy to use adhesive-strips that attach both to the object you're mounting and the surface you're mounting it too. Once the adhesive is allowed to set, they attach together securely. Once it needs to come down, the adhesive can be removed from either surface. Different strips are available for different weights. Basic 1 lb. strips can hold clips or small pictures. Larger pictures and hangers have special strips available, while specialty hooks are designed for hanging.

It's easy to transform your space with Command strips, even without nails and pins. This Pinterest board has all sorts of ideas for sprucing up your dorm room using the many products Command has available. For the classroom, consider using hooks to hang coats and bags, mounting educational and motivational posters to the wall, and other décor to encourage yourself and students.

Savings on Handy Post-It Note Products

It's no secret that we love Post-It Notes around here. Given how useful they are for work, school or the home, that's no surprise. Seems like nobody can have enough of them, and now's a great time to stock up in the middle of our massive sale on Post-It products.

Post-It 3" x 3" Super Sticky Pads

From now through the end of the month, this page will have an assortment of Post-It products featured and marked down. This includes your basic 3x3 pads in both regular and Super Sticky versions. The Super Sticky notes use a strong adhesive to cling to more surfaces longer and more reliably. Color sets range from standard canary to the more vibrant palettes offered in their World of Color series. Pads are also available in a variety of shapes such as stars and functions such as arrow flags for signatures.

Post-It Pop Up Dispenser/Adorable Kitty

Of course, if you'll have these on your desk, you'll want a stylish dispenser to hold them. We're featuring the pictured cat this month, but there are several options to choose from. For example, this dispenser holds both standard pads and smaller flag sizes, and even has a built in photo frame!

3M is also currently running a rebate where a $300 purchase of Post-It Brand products will net you a nice Vera Bradley duffel bag! This rebate runs through the end of the year.

Keeping the Classroom Clean

When teachers and schools are planning for class to be back in session, the priority is often on educational items- school supplies, writing utensils, art supplies, and other classroom essentials. It's not enough. Because just as a classroom is a place for learning, it's also an environment where both children and teachers are hard at work. That means keeping the room clean can be an ongoing battle, and not every mess can wait for the custodian.

Bounty Full Sheet Paper Towels

The standard tool in the arsenal is the paper towel. Spills involving all sorts of liquids from milk to paint are inevitable. Yet how often are the closest towels thin brown restroom towels designed for hand drying? Keeping a roll in every classroom handy will allow messes to be absorbed quickly and activities to continue with limited interruption.

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes

In addition, with dozens of children in the room, hands are bound to become dirty and the risk of spreading germs is high. At the first sign of a dirty surface, having disinfectant handy will reduce the spread of germs and provide for a cleaner, healthier classroom. Many cleaning wipes also include disinfectants in their formulas, so it's a simple matter of wiping down the surface.

Finally, another recommendation for the classroom to avoid germs is hand sanitizer. Keep some around for both personal use and for the class to share in order to keep kids healthy and promote good hygiene.

Classroom Essentials For Schools and Teachers

As we near August, it's time for schools to restock their classroom supplies. While much of the attention will be paid to replenishing paper or markers and other obvious essentials, it's also a good time to think about ways to make the classroom more efficient without draining the budget. OfficeSupply.com has several items and categories to explore that makes teaching easier while saving schools money.

Pacon Classroom Keepers Mailbox

Literature organizers are a nice start, serving as a simple and affordable mailbox for individual class members. Teachers can put assignments, graded papers, or other notes and comments in boxes, or students can use them to turn in homework. Organizers are sold with different pocket counts, so the right product can be ordered based on the class size. It's an example of the many organizers and sorters around. You can also consider a sorter that organizes papers or magazines and sits on the desk, wall or floor. There are also reference systems that put protected pages of paper in a convenient display for easy access.

Trend Calendar Bulletin Board Set

One function of the classroom is to promote a positive learning environment. Putting thought into classroom decor is an important step. Whether it's decorations, posters, or bulletin board sets, you can create a fun atmosphere that emphasizes lessons. Charts and calendars help track important information, dates, and incentives in a way that's easy for students to understand.

Teachers should also think about ways to keep themselves organized. Shop for specialized class management tools like record books and other accessories. Also, a desk is still a desk, and organizers for both the desktop and the drawer will help keep the clutter under control and make sure you don't lose precious time trying to find your materials.

The Right Equipment to Extend Your Pokémon Go Expeditions

A week after its release, it feels like everybody is playing the new Pokémon Go game, finally realizing their childhood dreams of becoming Pokémon trainers. The augmented reality game spreads its monsters around the world and tasks its users to travel across the land searching for them, which appear in real life through the phone's camera. Local landmarks serve as stops to replenish game supplies or gyms for battling. It's already the most popular mobile game in the country, and catching up or surpassing social apps like Twitter and Snapchat in daily usage.

The most important part of the game is exploration. While you're on your own to stock up on in-game supplies, the need to walk around means there are real life items that you should have in your inventory. Wear comfortable shoes, dress for the weather, wear bright clothing at night, and don't forget to stay hydrated. Once you've got yourself taken care of, make sure to turn your attention to your phone. Pokémon Go is a notorious battery drainer, and you'd hate to have to cut your journey short because your phone no longer works. Come prepared with a spare power bank to keep it running for as long as you are.

Weego Tour 5200 Battery Pack

For USB devices such as Android phones, the Weego rechargeable battery pack fits in your pocket, includes a 2' long USB cord and can recharge your phone as much as three times over before needing recharging itself, extending the length of your trips. Other portable power adapters are available for iPhones. Exploring outdoors increases the chance for accidents, so a phone case is also a must. If you're really crafty, you can combine the two!

Naztech MFi Power Case for iPhone 6/6s

This phone case for the iPhone 6 doubles as a charging unit! This offers extra battery life without the extra device in your pocket. It's another way to lighten your load and prolong your adventure. Good hunting!

Maintain Important Safety Supplies During National Safety Month

How safe is your workplace? While warehouses and construction sites prioritize safety procedures and make sure every worker is equipped for the job, every office needs to make sure its employees is safe on the job. Even places that aren't considered hazardous still need to take precautions and be prepared. That's the message of National Safety Month.

Throughout June, we have several deals to save money on safety essentials. For more active workplaces with more hazardous conditions, check out our selection of protective gloves, hard hats, and safety vests. Job site conditions may also warrant boots, face masks, and protection for the eyes and ears.

Crews Safety Goggles

Even in a typical business office, National Safety Month is a good time to look at your precautions and add to or replenish your safety supplies. Are your first aid kits fully stocked? Is there proper signage indicating exits, fire extinguisher locations, and wet floors? Do you have temporarybarriers preventing people from walking somewhere temporarily dangerous? All of these are important and all of these are now on sale.

Rubbermaid Portable Barricade System

Check out this page for our full range of safety supplies for sale all month.

GHS Chemical Labeling Standards In Effect For All Companies In June

Last summer we posted about new regulations regarding how chemicals are labeled. OSHA is mandating a conversion to an internationally universal system called GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals). This system is already mandatory for chemical manufacturers and distributors. Starting June 1, it is now mandatory for any workplace that uses or stores hazardous materials to use GHS-compliant labeling.

GHS-Compliant Chemical Label

The GHS label system is more comprehensive than the old standard, putting the most essential information from a material safety data sheet directly on the container. It includes the exact material name, pictograms identifying specific hazards, supplier information, and instructions for handling, storage, and accident prevention/response. If the chemicals in your workplace do not comply with these standards, you will now be subject to fines.

The good news is that if chemicals are kept in their original containers, they are probably already labeled properly. These regulations already kicked in for the manufacturers and distributors of chemicals, so anything bought since then left the factories and distribution centers good to go. However, workplaces will still have to update labels for chemicals purchased before this system kicked in, or chemicals that are no longer in their original containers. Thankfully there is help available.

Avery GHS Chemical Labels

Avery's GHS Chemical Labels make GHS compliance easy with software pre-formatted to GHS standards. Fill out basic information and the software will look up the material in its database and fill out the correct details for you. These labels are also designed to stick to containers and stay legible, resisting the elements, scratching, tearing, and the chemicals themselves. With both the software and the right labels, complying with these new standards will be easy.