Picture this:
You're about to learn everything about "Your Complete Business Stationery Checklist for South African SMEs" — without the jargon, without the fluff, and with at least one dad joke that'll make you groan. Grab your coffee. Let's go.
Key Takeaways
8 min read
- 1What you need to know before printing
- 2Common mistakes to avoid
- 3How to get the best results
Running a small business is simple, right?
All you have to do is make a product or service that people want and sell it at a mutually beneficial price… Oh, and make sure you get all your business stationery printing done.
No – we know it's not that easy. That's where we can help, both conveniently and affordably.
Here's your complete business stationery checklist – tick off what you need and get everything sorted in one go. Knowing which corporate stationery you actually need isn't as straightforward as some people make it out to be. We've broken it down by purpose so you can focus on what matters most for your business right now.
(And give ordering it online with us a go – we deliver all over South Africa for free!)
<AcademyProTip>Start with the essentials: business cards, letterheads, and one promotional item. You can always expand your stationery collection as your business grows.</AcademyProTip>
For your desk and promotion at offices:#
Things you can display anywhere:#
Stationery you can hand out to increase sales immediately:#
To make an impression on everyone you meet:#
When a simple leaflet doesn't cut it:#
With a couple of clicks, you can order any of the above and have it delivered to your office by the following week. You may also find that the prices are more affordable than your current supplier! You have the quote so go compare right now – you can get the quote instantly via our website.
<AcademyQuote>Sound too good to be true? Our customer ratings speak for themselves. We've been rated 4.6/5 by thousands of SA businesses over 10+ years.</AcademyQuote>
Get Your Print Designs Right The First Time#
Now that you know what you need for your business stationery, here's how to maximise the impact of your stationery design. Good design isn't just about looking pretty – it's about making your business memorable and professional.
For your desk:#
1\. Deskpad calendar/planner#
Deskpad calendars are perfect for planning your work week, especially useful because they sit right on your desk. Pencil in appointments, to-do's, anniversaries and stay up to date with public and school holidays – at a glance.
_Do:_ Provide space to jot down "to-do's" and reminders.
_Don't:_ Forget to proofread thoroughly. Remember one mistake on a deskpad calendar equals 12 mistakes.
2\. Tent Calendar and Wiro Calendar#
Great for keeping up to date with important dates, holidays and anniversaries – at a glance. We all have a phone and a desktop with a calendar, but even I find myself glancing at the nearest calendar to calculate "how many days until" or "how many days since". It's also an affordable and useful decoration for your desk. Tent calendars are similar to wiro calendars, but have three printable sides as opposed to multiple pages that are bound with wiro binding.
_Do:_ Highlight important dates in your design – public holidays and school holidays.
_Don't:_ Make it showy or obtrusively bright. This will sit on a person's desk, so make the design easily adaptable.
3\. Notepads#
Obviously, notepads are great for taking notes at your desk, doodling while you're on the phone, jotting down an inspired idea, writing your to-do list and carrying to your next meeting. They also happen to make really good promotional products, especially when you include your business' contact information in the design.
_Do:_ Add important contact information at the bottom of your page
_Don't:_ Compromise the writing space too much with your branding. Your company logo is all you need.
Notepads
For mounting/display:#
1\. Wall calendar#
Wall calendars are great for the same purpose as a tent calendar. The difference is this can be mounted on your door, near your desk or somewhere in the office where everyone can see.
_Do:_ Give it an elegant design. You want to encourage someone to actually hang it on their wall.
_Don't:_ Make the font too small. Ensure you can read the font from a distance before you print the final copies.
2\. Counter stands#
Counter stands are great for showcasing product launches, special offers or any other announcements in your retail store. You can also use them for internal marketing in your office.
_Do:_ Use bold colours to stand out and get attention. Counter stands should be used for the duration of the campaign only.
_Don't:_ Make them too wordy. Focus on the key message in as few words as possible.
3\. Stickers#
You may not have thought of stickers as corporate stationery, however, our large format stickers printed on white indoor vinyl can be stuck on glass walls/doors to add some decor to the office, promote an internal marketing campaign or demarcate certain rooms/zones. What's great about stickers is their versatility, so their office uses are unlimited.
_Do:_ Design them to add some colour.
_Don't:_ Limit their utility. You can print really small stickers for labelling, or really large stickers for decor.
<AcademyProTip>Save this checklist somewhere handy — you'll thank yourself at your next reorder.</AcademyProTip>
For handing out:#
1\. Plastic PVC cards#
Plastic PVC Cards are great for use as access cards, membership cards, gift cards, loyalty cards and even as a premium business card.
_Do:_ Make the design pop. We have many cards in our wallets, so design this to stand out from the rest.
_Don't:_ Skimp on the design. Treat the design the same as you would a business card.
<AcademyDadJoke>Why don't business cards ever get lost? Because they always know how to make a good impression!</AcademyDadJoke>
2\. Business cards#
We know what business cards are great for. Making business connections since the 17th century.
_Do:_ Make the designs stand out. Bland cards can be lost in the pile of cards collected from one conference, don't get yours lost.
_Don't:_ Skip the proofreading. It's very easy to submit a design with a wrong number, email or even your own name.
3\. Brochures#
Booklets & Brochures
_Do:_ Make the information easy to digest and read.
_Don't:_ Turn it into a book. This needs to be quick and easy to digest.
For internal/external communication:#
1\. Letterheads#
_Letterheads_ are great for communicating the professionalism of your brand to clients, suppliers and other business partners.
_Do:_ Include your company name, logo and contact details.
_Don't:_ Overcrowd your letterhead with unnecessary branding and information.
2\. Presentation folders#
Presentation Folders are great for presenting your business and promotional materials in a sophisticated package.
_Do:_ Use your brand's bold colours and customise your folders to make them standout.
_Don't:_ Forget to leave a slot for your business card.
To present your products/services and company information:#
1\. Menus#
Menus are great for, if designed well, getting your customers to order your best meals. (Although, all of the meals on your menu should be your best meals).
_Do:_ Place your best dishes in the "sweet spot". This is the upper right-hand corner of the menu and the first place where diners look.
_Don't:_ Overuse annotations. Annotations should be used sparingly to draw attention to specific items.
Menu on a table at a restaurant
2\. PUR Bind Booklets#
PUR Bind Booklets are great for printing your annual report, yearbooks, proposals and more. The flat long-lasting spine creates a durable booklet with a sleek professional finish.
_Do:_ Think like the reader. Put yourself in the reader's shoes when designing the booklet.
_Don't:_ Just fill it with text. Use lots of graphics, images and charts to illustrate key concepts and data.
<AcademyQuote>Professional stationery isn't just about looking good – it's about building trust. Every piece of branded material is a chance to reinforce your credibility and attention to detail.</AcademyQuote>
The Bottom Line#
That's your complete checklist! Keep this handy to restock your business stationery when you need to. Remember, you can follow the links of each product to get an instant quote on our website and order online.
Start with what you need most urgently, then build your collection over time. Your future self (and your clients) will thank you for the professional touch.
Related Articles:#
- Is your Artwork Ready for Printing? Follow These Steps to Get the Best Quality Print! With Checklist…
- How to Design Business Cards for Print: Full Adobe Illustrator Guide
- The Complete Printing Guide: Paper, Finishes, and Everything in Between
<AcademyProTip>Order your business stationery in bulk at year-end when print shops offer deals — but start your design work now so you're ready when the deals appear.</AcademyProTip>