Printed stationery cheaper if purchased centrally?

Firms purchasing printed stationery may wish to consider the relative merits of central and local buying, following comments from one individual.

Companies that use the services of stationery printers could benefit from reassessing whether central purchasing or buying from local firms is more cost effective.

Diana Sutherland wrote to the Guardian in response to an article on Sir Philip Green's government efficiency review to argue central purchasing is not necessarily the best way to obtain stationery supplies.

She stated she has worked in two large organisations where stationery and office furniture could be - and often was - bought at cheaper prices from local firms.

This was preferable to submitting "lengthy, time-consuming requests for more expensive items to central stationery stores", Ms Sutherland explained.

"If central purchasing is not carefully and efficiently monitored, it will fall apart," she added.

Businesses that use stationery printers may also be interested in recent suggestions from Wedding Paper Divas that imply greeting cards will incorporate more artistic and experimental designs next year, with colours such as grey and coral set to remain popular for wedding invitations.