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Unique gift exchange ideas for the office party

By mmuzny Published March 16, 2022

Office gift exchanges can be intimidating at times – particularly if you’re in a new position, or at a new company. While we all enjoy giving gifts, there’s no denying that a certain amount of stress can accompany the gift shopping process. It can be hard to know what to get a coworker – harder still if the gift exchange is one where the recipient isn’t set and the gift must be suitable for any coworker who happens to pick it during your party game of choice. We’ve put together this helpful guide of unexpected items that can fill a need, spark creativity, or simply make their day-to-day easier.

No matter who ends up taking home the gift you brought to the office gift exchange, you want to make sure it’s something that they’ll be happy to receive. Haven’t we all come away from a work party or function with a prize or gift we weren’t sure what to do with, only to donate or sell it later? We’re confident that any of these gifts would be a great choice, from gadgets to entertain and spark creativity to more practical items that will help to make their lives outside of the office run more smoothly, you can be sure your contribution will be unique and appreciated.

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Managing staff

Operations

Ink vs. toner: What’s the difference?

Office worker using a printer

Have you asked yourself in running your business, "Is toner the same as ink?" If you don't know the answer, you'll want to discover the difference between ink and toner to ensure you purchase the correct office supplies for your machine. Given the importance of a printer at work, learning the difference will not only help you change the cartridges when it's time, but also help you ensure your device is always working to the best of its ability.

What is the difference between ink and toner?
Knowing the difference between ink and toner will help you more easily get the job done when printing needs arise at work. The biggest difference between ink and toner is that ink in an inkjet printer is dye-based and toner in a laser printer is pigment-based. Another very notable difference is that inkjet printers output at a much slower rate than laser printers with toner. Additionally, the quality of laser prints with toner is much higher than with ink prints. Though ink is a more costly way to go, what you save in money, you'll spend in quality.
What is an ink cartridge?
Ink cartridges come in inkjet printers, and this type of cartridge contains dye-based ink, which is liquid. This liquid ink sprays onto the surface of the paper. Most inkjet printers use black ink cartridges for the standard text you see in workplace printed documents, such as memos and invoices. If you're looking to print photos with your inkjet printer, you need the other three colors of ink cartridges to go with your black cartridge.

Operations

How to create a shipping label

Person holding a labeled package

There are many kinds of shipping labels used to deliver mail and packages. Some postage is merely a stamp. But more complicated packaging, due to weight or shape, impacts the type of shipping label needed. Sure, you can pay for standard or generic shipping labels on your goods, but this may not be the best option for you. If your packaging is heavily branded, your shipping labels should be, too. Or, if your industry demands efficiency and practically, you'll want something you can easily correct and adapt.

Read on to learn more about shipping labels, like the difference between a label and a stamp, and discover how to create a shipping label for your business.

Operations

3 best dusting cloths for tidying the office

Workers in an office setting

Whether you do the office cleaning yourself or you have pros come in and do it for you, there's no doubt you want results. Always keep in mind that a cleaner office can improve production results. It can also help in maintaining better employee health. If you have clients coming to your office to conduct business or to say hello, a cleaner office can impress them, too. With the best dusting tools at your disposal, you can get the results you're after. Let's take a look at the three best dusting cloths for tidying up the office.

1. Microfiber Cloths
When looking for the right cloth to tidy up your office, one of the best options is a microfiber cloth. You can use these cloths dry or wetted down. They are perfect for gathering up dust and dirt from desks, break room countertops, and other office surfaces. These soft cloths can keep in the dirt while not allowing it to escape into the air and scatter around your workspace. You have several size options to choose from. Having one you can handle in your hand to clean with is a good start. You want to have firm control of the cloth, so it stays in your hand while you're cleaning.