Setting up a new office involves more stationery decisions than most founders expect. This checklist covers what a new business actually needs from day one — without over-ordering.
Daily-Use Essentials
- Pens, notepads, and sticky notes for every desk
- A stapler, tape dispenser, and scissors per shared work area
- Printer paper and toner or ink cartridges
- Whiteboard and markers for meeting spaces
Document and Filing Setup
Even in a mostly digital office, physical filing still matters for contracts, invoices, and anything requiring a signature. A simple filing cabinet with labeled folders by category (contracts, invoices, HR) prevents paperwork chaos before it starts.
Meeting Room Basics
Beyond a whiteboard, stock flip chart pads for brainstorming sessions, a supply of pens that actually work (test before the first client meeting), and a small tray for business cards or handouts.
Reception and First Impressions
A visitor sign-in pad, a pen holder that's actually stocked, and tidy branded stationery at the front desk all shape a client's first impression of the business before a single word is exchanged.
Building a Reorder System From Day One
Set a simple monthly check of what's running low rather than waiting for supplies to run out mid-task. New businesses that build this habit early avoid the scramble of same-day emergency purchases once the office is fully operational.
ToyaBox's business starter bundles are built around exactly this checklist, priced for new offices setting up from scratch.