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Each type of labelling machine is designed to fit into your life in different ways.

Otherwise known as label makers, these are small handheld devices intended for use in the home, small office and small business setting. These machines do not have a high price point, and so are popular with those who don’t want to print a high volume of labels.

However, these machines print on special, often thermal, tapes which are expensive.

In the past, mechanical labelling systems worked by embossing pieces of coloured plastic embossing tape. A hammer in the shape of the letter caused an extrusion on the opposite side of the tape, and the raised plastic would discolour to white to provide visual contrast.

These types of machines have been largely displaced by electronic thermal transfer devices.

Such machines contain a built-in keyboard and display, and an integrated cartridge containing the label material (and print ribbon, if used).

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Desktop printers are compact, relatively simple to operate, reliable and cost effective. These types of label printers are ideal for a wide variety of mid-volume industrial, commercial and healthcare applications. They are usually designed for light- to medium-duty use, and are quiet and affordable. They are available in direct and thermal transfer printer models, and are customisable.

Commercial label printers are used in medium-volume label printing applications, in business environments such as printers or graphic design.

These types of label prints are designed for heavy-duty, continuous use in places such as warehouses, distribution centres and factories. They are used to print vast quantities of labels, sometimes for oddly shaped components (such as the safety stickers on a child’s car seat). Industrial portable label printers are used on location in rugged environments, such as construction sites and production floors.

Labels help all of us keep track of things, whether in the office environment or at home. Different types of labels are created for specific purposes, and labels also differ in terms of materials, lifespan and adherence. You should choose labels that are best suited to your needs and your budget. Pressure-sensitive labels – these labels are applied by pressing down firmly on them so they stick to the surface. They typically have a release liner that protects the adhesive until it is pulled off. The release liner makes handling the label before application easier. There are three different types of pressure-sensitive adhesive labels: • Permanent adhesive labels – once fixed to a surface, such as a box or disc, the label cannot be removed without ripping. The glue on some permanent labels takes a while to set, allowing for the label to be adjusted if necessary. This type of label is ideal for mailing. • Peelable adhesive labels – these are removable labels which can be transferred from one surface to another. They usually leave a sticky residue behind. • Ultra-peelable labels – these labels can be removed without any sticky residue remaining. However, once removed it is hard to get these types of labels to stick to another surface. Depending on which labels get used the most, it is a good idea to have a variety of extras on hand to use on everyday items:

• Address/shipping labels - these typically come as blank labels in sheet form for mailing, and rolls for thermal labels. • Return address labels – these can be bought pre-printed, as the return address is typically the office address being shipped from. Extras can always be printed onto blank label sheets. • Inkjet labels – these types of labels are used in inkjet printers. They are typically blank labels on a label sheet and are often used for mailing labels or name tags. They generally print in black. • Laser labels – these labels are used in a laser printer. They are superior to inkjet-printed labels due to the fact that it won’t run or smudge, and they can be printed in colour. • CD/DVD labels – these labels are made to be put onto a CD or DVD. They are designed to fit around the central hole in disc. �

Apply your design to a range of surfaces at a fraction of the cost of printed packaging. It is a useful and economical way to create your own look and fabulous labels. So, pride yourself on independence and get the ideal balance between the relatable and the commercial.

There is no shortage of uses for custom rubber stamps. You can use them to mark your packaging (paper bags, takeaway boxes, or uncoated paper surfaces), food ingredients (especially when highlighting an allergy) – even the name of the food preparers. It perfect for small business, restaurants, school meals and even home chefs’ culinary creations.

Self-inking rubber stamps offer clean and quick stamping without re-inking each time. The ink dries quickly on an uncoated surface but if shiny paper is used, special knowledge of ink is required – and we can advise on that too.

Filing systems of one kind or another have existed since businesses and organisations began to use paper on a regular basis. Keeping track of hundreds or thousands of pages of paper requires the use of an orderly system. These days, filing is available in all shapes and sizes, and for a variety of different media.

This is both the most cost-effective and the most rudimentary filing option. Open shelves allow employee to store documents on open, horizontal racks, with folders placed vertically in rows. Shelving takes up less space as there are no drawers than need to be pulled in and out. Open shelves usually stand taller than file cabinets, and can therefore hold more files with a smaller footprint. They are also less expensive than cabinets. They offer quicker filing and retrieval, with more than one person being able to use it at the same time. Open shelving is adaptable, and you can easily use barcoding, colour coding or computerbased tracking systems for reference.

The disadvantage of open shelving is that it tends to be more or less fixed and permanent, and generally not easy to move. Open shelving also offers less protection against natural elements like light, temperature and humidity.

Cabinets are ideal for small filing systems, as they are easy to move and easy to source accessories for. Standard cabinets have one to five pull-out drawers and accommodate folders filed vertically, front to back, with top tabs.

Cabinets are, however, more difficult and time consuming to use. Each drawer needs to be opened individually, and only one drawer can be accessed at a time. Files stored at the back of the draw or at the very top can be difficult to access.

When using cabinets, you need to ensure that the space provided allows for the drawers to be fully extended.

Lateral filing involves a system of drawers containing shelves that roll out or extend forward. Lateral filing cabinets are typically 51cm deep and manufactured in 76cm, 91cm and 107cm widths. They come in versions with two, three, four or five drawers. Lateral filing can handle either standard folders or suspension files (these are files fitted with easy glide nylon runners to smoothly move files along metal bars).

The advantage over open shelving is that they can have doors and locks for added security, and can be adapted to store other types of media. It is easy to access and view all files.

The 76cm, two-drawer version is popular for use inside cubicle workstations. It is engineered to fit under or alongside the cubicle work surfaces.

Some users prefer side-to-side filing, as they can search index tabs from a seated position.

In order to suit all types of users, the top (usually fifth) drawer of a lateral file is a flipper door with a pull-out shelf. This is due to the fact that most people would not be able to access the top of a drawer at this height.

The disadvantage of lateral filing is the same for standard cabinets: only one drawer can be accessed at a time; and the space needs to allow for drawers to be fully extended.

Rotary filing systems are specialised office units designed to provide increased storage volumes when compared to traditional counterparts. They consist of a doublesided rotating unit, allowing the user to access two full sides of filing from any one point. A foot pedal or lever is often used to operate the rotation mechanism, thus allowing user easy control.

Many rotary filing systems can store the contents of 17 four-drawer filing cabinets in just three eight-tier units, allowing multiple times the storage volume created by traditional filing cabinets.

A wide range of fitments makes the systems suitable for storing an array file types and media. For security, each unit can be locked individually.

Rotary storage systems usually have no shutters or doors, which means they can be situated very close to walls or partitioning, giving a very efficient use of floor space.

Units can also be used to divide office space, acting as partitioning.

Rotary storage units can allow faster file access than banks of conventional cabinets as 50% of stored items are immediately visible to the operator, with the rest being just a pedal push away.

This method of filing moves along a track or rotates, and therefore does not require permanent aisles. Mobile storage systems are usually constructed with a rotary handle which operates the mechanism to wind the single, connected, filing unit either left or right, depending on the direction in which the handle is turned. Several stacks of moveable filing cabinets may be accommodated in a limited space. The tracks can be installed onto many different types of floor and on different levels.

Another advantage of mobile filing is that files are accessed more quickly as employees do not have to walk as far. Mobile filing systems offer increased security as they have both doors and locks. They are also easily adapted for other media.

Mobile shelving will require you to check that your floor can handle the weight of a fully-loaded system. These systems are generally more expensive than the other options.

An additional factor to be considered is that some types of mobile filing systems use power, so if the electricity supply is constrained, this might not be the best option.

This method of filing involves a cabinet with drawers that pull out, similar to the way a chest of drawers for clothing works. However, they are much wider and deeper than a standard chest of drawers. Top retrieval filing cabinets usually contain a locking mechanism and a height-adjustment mechanism.

They are designed for use with container filing, lever arch filing, and a4 suspended filing.

One disadvantage of top-retrieval filing is that the units have a large footprint. The units also cannot contain too many tiers, as people will not be able to reach into them.

When contemplating filing your archived documents, consider whether or not you will require specialised equipment. Archive filing often comes in the form of cardboard boxes which have handles, lids and a space to write down dates or names. These boxes are usually designed to fit onto existing shelving, with space saving properties incorporated into the design. Archival boxes are usually acidfree to prolong the life of its contents.

Storage containers are a great way to stow away items that are not readily needed, but that you want to protect.

Plastic storage containers are a great way to get organised. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit every space, and can be decorative as well as functional. Such bins are ideal for storing documents and files. Good quality containers are made from durable plastic that won’t perish easily. A tightly sealing lid will ensure the contents of the bin stay in pristine condition. Many larger storage containers come with castors to make moving them easier.

Large plastic storage boxes are useful when it comes to organising and storing items such as documents. These boxes are sometimes hinged so that the lid doesn’t have to be removed. Storage boxes can also be made from acrylics. Acid-free plastic storage containers are recommended for storing items such as photo and old documents.

Plastic file storage containers and plastic file storage bins are useful when creating a filing system. They are easy to organise and more containers can be purchased to expand the filing system.

Ring binders are the simplest form of binding, and are ideal for document storage. The PVC or polypropylene covers are durable, flexible, lightweight and moisture repellent. They are available in a choice of sizes and colours, making them ideal for company branding.

The ring size of the file binder determines how many documents can be added. The ring shape of the binder is also important: a D-shaped ring holds more pages and is usually used on higher quality files than those with an O-shaped ring.

Binders should be easy to open with one hand; have a gap-free mechanism so that pages don’t tear; be back mounted to allow the pages to lie flat; and allow for easy insertion or removal of pages. Label holders and pockets on the inside of the covers are also useful for storing documents, pens and business cards.

Plastic food storage containers are available in as many sizes and shapes as there are food items. From lunchboxes and water bottles to ice cube trays and cake tins, we all use plastic food storage every day. There are a number of things to consider when choosing these items. The first is the kind of plastic they are made of. Some types of plastic are less suitable for food storage than others. Some may leach chemicals into the food when exposed to temperature fluctuations such as those caused by a microwave or a freezer. Bisphenol-A (or BPA) has been linked to hormone disruptions in the human body. It is best to avoid storing food in this type of plastic. PET has been identified as the preferred plastic for food storage. Refillable water bottles, such as those used by cyclists, are usually BPAfree. It is not a good idea to reuse disposable plastic items (such as water bottles or plastic cutlery). �