Office Stationery Checklist for a New Office in India
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Setting up a new office means a hundred small decisions, and stationery is the one that's easy to forget until your first important document needs stapling and nobody can find a stapler.
This checklist covers the stationery every new office or startup needs, how much of each to buy, and where to save. You can work through it category by category, or copy the one-page version at the end.
The short answer: 10 essentials for day one
- Photocopy paper
- Staplers
- Staple pins
- Staple remover
- Punching machine
- Tape dispenser
- Cutter
- Scissors
- Staple gun or tacker (for notice boards and packing)
- Everyday basics: pens, notebooks, files, sticky notes and markers
The full checklist by category
Paper and printing
- Photocopy paper: this is your biggest ongoing stationery cost, so buy by the carton, not one ream at a time. See our photocopy paper.
- Toner or ink for your printers. Our guide to choosing the right HP toner cartridge explains how to order the right one.
Fastening
- Staplers: the most used stationery item in any office. See the section below on choosing one.
- Stapler pins: buy these at the same time as the staplers, and check the size matches. Both staplers featured below use 24/6 and 26/6 pins. See our stapler pins.
- Staple removers: cheap, but you'll want one near every stapler. See our staple removers.
Filing and punching
- Punching machines: for filing documents into binders and lever arch files. One shared machine is usually enough for a small team. See our punching machines.
Desk basics
- Tape dispensers: a heavy base keeps them steady, so you can pull tape with one hand. See our tape dispensers.
- Cutters: for opening parcels, trimming paper and cutting cardboard. See our cutters.
- Scissors: keep a couple at shared desks. See our scissors.
Bigger jobs
- Staple guns (tackers): for pinning notices to boards and sealing packing work. See our staple guns.
Often forgotten
Pens, pencils, notebooks, files and folders, sticky notes, highlighters, markers, rubber bands, paper clips, envelopes, a whiteboard and markers. Add these to your own order list.
Browse everything in our office supplies and stationery collection.
How to choose a good stapler
A stapler is used dozens of times a day, so it's worth getting a reliable one.
- Sheet capacity: check how many sheets it can staple at once. 30 sheets suits most offices, while a lighter stapler is fine for 20.
- Staple size: match it to your pins. 24/6 and 26/6 are the most common office sizes.
- Body: a metal body lasts longer than an all-plastic one.
- Effort: a "less effort" design is easier on the hand if you staple all day.
- Loading and indicator: quick loading and a reload indicator save time.
Two popular options from our range:
Kangaro HP-45 All Metal Stapler: a plier-type stapler with a metal body, a 30-sheet capacity and 24/6 or 26/6 pins. It holds 50 to 100 pins, has a rotating anvil for pinning and a reload indicator, which makes it a strong choice for frequent stapling.
Kangaro Stapler LE-35: a "less effort" desk stapler with a 30-sheet capacity and 24/6 or 26/6 pins. It is designed to reduce the force needed to staple, and has a built-in staple remover and a reload indicator.
A useful cutter: Miles PN1801/P
The Miles Cutter Knife PN-1801/P (18mm) has an 18mm snap-off blade in a light plastic body, with a manual lock and a built-in blade snapper. It is used for general cutting of paper, cardboard and plastic film, and it is a low-cost item to stock at every desk.
Safety tip: when you snap off a used blade segment, use the built-in snapper, keep your fingers clear and dispose of the piece safely.
How much should you buy? A starting point
Every office is different, so treat this as a rough guide for light to moderate use. Adjust it to how much you actually print and file.
| Item | Team of 5 | Team of 10 | Team of 25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photocopy paper (reams per month) | 5 | 10 | 25 |
| Staplers | 2 | 3–4 | 6–8 |
| Staple pins | 2–3 boxes per stapler to start | ||
| Staple removers | 2 | 3–4 | 6–8 |
| Punching machines | 1 | 1–2 | 3 |
| Tape dispensers | 1–2 | 2–3 | 5–6 |
| Cutters | 2 | 3–4 | 6–8 |
| Scissors | 2 | 3–4 | 6–8 |
| Staple guns | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Rule of thumb: one stapler for every 3 to 4 people, placed where people actually work, so nobody walks across the office for one. Reorder when you're down to about a month of stock.
Where to save and where not to
Safe to buy at a low price: cutters, scissors, staple removers and tape dispensers, since they're simple items and a slightly cheaper one rarely causes problems.
Worth paying a little more for:
- Staplers: a weak one jams and frustrates everyone.
- Photocopy paper: poor paper can jam your printer.
- Anything used all day by every team member.
Choose brands you can reorder
Sticking to a few known brands makes restocking easy, and you can keep staplers, pins and removers matching. Explore our Kangaro, Munix and Miles ranges.
Storage and restocking tips
- Keep one shared supply cupboard and nominate one person to manage it.
- Write down a reorder point for paper, pins and tape, such as "reorder when we have one month left".
- Store paper flat, in a dry place, away from damp, to avoid jams.
- Label staple pins by size so the wrong pins don't end up in the wrong stapler.
- Check supplies monthly and place one combined order.
Buying in bulk
If you're fitting out a whole office, one order is much easier than many small ones. You can combine stationery with printers, toner, paper, monitors and computers in a single quote. See our guide to buying office supplies in bulk, or go straight to our Bulk Orders and B2B enquiry page to request a quote.
Setting up desks too? Read our guide to choosing a monitor for office work.
One-page checklist (copy and use)
Paper and printing
☐ Photocopy paper ☐ Toner / ink
Fastening
☐ Staplers ☐ Staple pins (matching size) ☐ Staple removers
Filing
☐ Punching machine ☐ Files and folders
Desk basics
☐ Tape dispensers ☐ Cutters ☐ Scissors
Bigger jobs
☐ Staple gun
Everyday
☐ Pens ☐ Notebooks ☐ Sticky notes ☐ Markers ☐ Paper clips ☐ Envelopes
Frequently asked questions
What stationery does a new office need?
At minimum: paper, staplers with matching pins, a staple remover, a punching machine, tape dispensers, cutters and scissors, plus everyday items like pens, notebooks and files.
How many staplers does an office need?
As a starting point, one for every 3 to 4 people. Place them where people work.
What staple size should I buy?
24/6 and 26/6 are the most common for office staplers. Check your stapler's specification before buying pins.
Can I order stationery together with printers and computers?
Yes. You can combine everything in one bulk quote through our B2B page.
Do you offer a GST invoice for business orders?
Yes, we provide a GST invoice for business purchases. Share your business name and GSTIN when you request your quote.
Are the products on WERY genuine?
Yes. WERY sells 100% genuine products with official brand warranty.