There's no single 'right' way to stock an office

It's tempting to think you can just compare prices on avery.com and be done. But whether you're ordering Avery business card templates or stockpiling round sticker labels, the best approach depends entirely on your situation. Are you equipping a single department with a one-time project, or managing inventory for 400 people across three locations? Your answer changes everything.

Over the past five years, I've made pretty much every mistake you can when ordering supplies. I've paid rush fees I didn't need to, ordered the wrong size envelope, and once—in a panic before a trade show—bought a box of 5,000 bouquets with tissue paper that didn't fit our standard card slot. It's why I now use a simple framework to decide how to order, and it saves both time and money.

Three common scenarios (and the right approach for each)

Before you hit 'add to cart,' figure out which scenario you're in. Here’s how I break it down.

Scenario A: The one-time, high-stakes project

You've got a board meeting, a product launch, or a tradeshow. The order quantity is moderate (500–2,000 pieces), but the quality needs to be perfect. Everyone will see this.

For this, skip the generic templates. Use Avery's design & print software with their professional business card templates. You want the premium cardstock—nothing flimsy. Don't cut corners on the round sticker labels for your product; poor die-cutting will make you look amateurish. If you're a small non-profit, I'd even recommend ordering a second small batch of bouquet with tissue paper wraps to test the physical feel before the main run.

In this scenario, cost is secondary to brand perception. Pay for the good stuff. If you're wondering, "how do you remove super glue from fingers?" after a last-minute crafting panic, you've already messed up. Plan ahead.

Scenario B: The recurring, bulk inventory order

You're ordering for the whole office—standard avery login to reorder the same labels everyone uses. You know the drill: 5160 templates for mailing, standard shipping labels, and a variety of washi tape strips for the creative team. This is where process matters more than product.

I once bought 10,000 sheets of a standard label from a new vendor because the unit price was $40 cheaper per case. They saved me $1,600 on the order. But they couldn't provide proper invoicing. Finance rejected the expense report. I ate the cost out of the department budget. Now I verify invoicing capability before placing any bulk order.

For recurring orders, my rule is: stick with your usual vendor unless you've fully tested the alternative. The transaction cost of switching is rarely worth the savings on paper. If your team uses avery business cards template, you already know it works. Don't rock the boat for pennies.

Scenario C: The test-it-out new product introduction

Your marketing team wants to start doing packaging with custom labels. They want to test avery round sticker labels in 3-inch diameter on a kraft paper bag. You have no idea if they'll even stick properly.

For this, always order a sample pack first. Don't buy the 1000-pack. Avery's sample packs are cheap (often free with shipping) and let you test adhesion, print quality, and peel-ability. I learned this the hard way with a batch of washi tape strips that didn't match our branded PMS color. Looking back, I should have paid for a sample. At the time, I assumed 'white' meant the same standard white. It didn't.

How do you know which scenario you're in?

Here's a simple test:

• Is this a mission-critical project? Yes → Scenario A. Invest in quality and premium finishes.
• Are you ordering for the entire company's ongoing needs? Yes → Scenario B. Prioritize process, reliability, and invoicing compliance over a few dollars saved.
• Are you just trying something new for the first time? Yes → Scenario C. Test before you buy.

It's not rocket science, but it saves a ton of wasted time and money. Honestly, the biggest mistake I see other admins make is treating all orders the same. A one-off project needs different thinking than a bulk replenishment. Once you frame it that way, the right choice becomes pretty obvious.

Prices as of January 2025; verify current rates on avery.com. For reference, a standard 500-card business card order from Avery's premium line runs approximately $55-$90. Source: Avery.com product pages.