Home office efficiency – labeling

#PutALabelOnIt #CollectiveBias

Before I owned a label maker I heard about highly organized people and their obsession with their label maker. Now that I own one, I have to tell you the feeling is legit!

I have the DYMO LabelWriter® 450 Value Bundle Pack available online and select stores (you can check on the product page). The item ships free though so don’t worry if your local store doesn’t carry it – and it arrives quickly, mine took one day! The bundle includes a roll of LW Appointment Card Labels, LW Shipping Labels, LW File Folder Labels and LW Multi-Purpose Labels.

Buy all four label rolls you get the DYMO LabelWriter® 450 for free!

With the DYMO LabelWriter, you can label, mail and file keeping your office super streamlined and organized. I wanted to share my efficiency tools and tips for managing three at home businesses – graphic design, photography, and blogging.

Two-Column Notebook

I’ve been sharing my love for a spiral notebook which acted as a notepad – every day is a new sheet. I only write on one side. This notebook has two columns and I write my billable hours on the left side column and additional notes or to-do list on the right side.

Tip: At the end of the day, look at the things you’ve accomplished or no longer need to do right away. Flip the page over and start a new page, your mind will feel cleaner the next morning when you sit down and have a new to-do list without scribbles, or a clean sheet for the day’s tasks.

4×6 Sticky Notes – Client to-do lists

Large sticky notes (size 4×6) are fantastic and I assign each client a color and jot down specific to-do’s that I look at daily and keep in mind for deadlines that are approaching.

Client Folders

Shown: File Folder (2-up) labels

File Folder Labels for my graphic design clients and working project. Each client has their folder for passwords, contracts and inspirational design I’ve collected for future campaigns.

Tip: Find beautiful folders that will look visually clean and encourage organization – especially if you need to leave the folders out in plain site for active projects or clients. I use a clear acrylic letter holder – I find acrylic materials keep my area looking cleaner and lighter.

A great feature – the program saves your latest labels, fonts and size. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used the wrong font and it looks like I’m looking a font library in my filing cabinet. I want everything to be consistent so I’m glad I can keep my label printing consistent.

 Shown: Appointment/Business Card

I like that you can change the orientation of the type on labels and appointment cards. This is a 2 x 3 1/2 card which is the same size as a business card – you can make appointments or print out a quick business card – say for a garage sale or last minute conference. I can use these cards to list important info and clip inside the client folder.

Shipping Labels

Shown: Shipping labels + Medium labels

Primarily for my photography clients, I send lab prints and USBs. I use the shipping labels for those larger packages and the medium multi-purpose labels for envelopes. The Multi-Purpose labels can be used for a variety of things and will be perfect for Christmas!

Tip: Have a designated table for shipping or items that need to be packed. It helps stay organized and having an in and out box or bin is more helpful than you think!

DYMO LabelWriter® 450 highlights:

• Uses thermal transfer so you never have to buy ink!
• Create labels directly from text in Microsoft® Word, Excel®, Outlook®, QuickBooks® and other programs or easily print addresses from Outlook® Contacts or Mac® Address Book
• 60+ label styles and layouts – ability to save labels (font, design) too!
• Sleep mode to save energy
• Customize and print address, shipping, file folder and barcode labels, plus name badges and more – PC or Mac®

Shop owner? Create crystal-clear barcodes, labels and graphics with 600 x 300 dpi resolution.

DYMO LabelWriter® 450 Turbo

Need to print faster? Check out the DYMO LabelWriter® 450 Turbo.

• It prints labels at higher speed, taking the LabelWriter® 450 to another level. Efficiency at it’s highest for label needs.
• Prints so fast up to 71 labels per minute!
• Less waste and hassle of sheet labels. You print the precise quantity you need without blank labels leftover and having to reformat your sheets where the empty ones are left.
• Print USPS®-approved DYMO Stamps® postage directly from your desktop – no monthly fee, contracts or commitments required

Be sure to go check back every week for Staples Daily Deals for special deals on your favorite DYMO LabelWriter® products including DYMO LabelWriter® 450 Bundle, LabelWriter® 450 Turbo, and LabelWriter® 4XL Turbo!

Do you run a home business? How would you use a label maker?