Office stationery: How to make the right choice of pens, markers, highlighters, and notepads

by Wiepa Team on Jul 08, 2026

Office Stationery: Sensibly Choosing Pens, Markers, Highlighters, and Notepads

In a nutshell

A small, carefully selected standard stock of stationery is usually sufficient and makes reordering significantly easier than a confusing variety of brands and variants per team.

Stationery items are among the most frequently used office supplies. Precisely because they are used daily, it is worthwhile to define quality, availability, and standards.

Typical Stationery Items

  • Ballpoint pens and gel pens
  • Pencils and mechanical pencils
  • Highlighters and markers
  • Permanent markers and special markers
  • Notepads and sticky notes
  • Correction fluid, erasers, and rulers

Why Standards Make Sense

If each team uses different pens, reordering becomes confusing. A small standard stock of proven items is often sufficient and reduces search efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many ballpoint pen variations does an office need?

Usually one or two proven models are sufficient; more choice primarily increases administrative effort without real added value.

Is higher quality in stationery worthwhile?

For daily used items like ballpoint pens, often yes, as poorly writing pens cause more frustration than savings in everyday use.

Should stationery be procured centrally or per team?

Central procurement of a fixed assortment is usually easier to reorder and avoids unnecessary variety.

Further Wiepa Guides

Office Supplies for Companies: What Belongs in the Basic Equipment?
Labels and Labeling in the Office: Order for Storage, Folders, and Shipping

Conclusion

Stationery should not be ordered randomly but should be managed as part of the core assortment. Learn more: Office Supplies for Companies.

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