Staples

Where to Buy the Best Office Staples in the UK: A Practical Shopper’s Guide

Why the right staples matter more than you think

Ever wrestled with a stapler that keeps jamming right in the middle of an urgent print run? It’s frustrating, wastes time, and makes a small task feel like climbing a hill. The truth is, staples aren’t all the same. The size, coating, gauge, and packaging can affect performance, longevity, and how neat your documents look. Whether you’re stocking a home office, a small business, or a busy reception desk, picking the right staples saves time, money, and headaches.

Common staple types and what they do best

Staples come in several flavors designed for different jobs. Standard office staples are fine for everyday paper fastening. Heavy-duty staples are thicker and built for thick stacks or light upholstery. Staples for stapler guns or electric staplers are shaped and sized differently. Coated staples resist rust and slide more cleanly into paper. Picking the right type is like matching shoes to the terrain—you wouldn’t hike in sandals, and you shouldn’t use paper-thin staples for a thick file.

Standard staples (everyday use)

Standard staples work for most tasks: attaching 5 to 30 sheets, sealing envelopes, and small craft jobs. They’re widely available and come in strips or boxes of hundreds to thousands. If you only staple a few sheets at a time, standard staples will be your best friend.

Heavy-duty staples (big jobs)

Got a big stack—think dozens of printed pages or a supply of thick cardboard? Heavy-duty staples are longer and sturdier, designed for industrial staplers or heavy-duty desktop models. They’re the work boots for bulky fastening jobs.

Specialty staples (tacking, upholstery, guns)

Upholstery, construction, and creative projects need specialty staples. These are made for specific tools like tacker guns or staple guns and aren’t interchangeable with regular desktop staplers. If you’re doing DIY or craft projects, double-check compatibility before you buy.

Staple sizes explained (and converted to inches)

One common source of confusion is size. Many product listings use metric sizes; for convenience here they’re translated into inches. For example, a box listed as 10.5 mm wide by 14 mm deep roughly equals 0.41 inches wide by 0.55 inches deep. Knowing the inch equivalents helps you match staples to your stapler without second-guessing.

How to measure staple size

Staple measurements typically show leg length and crown width. The crown is the top bar, and the legs are the prongs that go through the paper. If a listing shows 0.41 in x 0.55 in, use that info to confirm your stapler supports that leg length and crown width. When in doubt, consult your stapler’s manual or bring an old staple strip to compare.

Top UK retailers where you can buy staples

When it comes to buying staples in the UK, you’ve got options ranging from specialist office suppliers to big online marketplaces. Below are reputable places to shop, each with its strengths depending on whether you want convenience, bulk savings, or specialist advice.

Staples (UK store)

Staples operates as a go-to source for office supplies, offering a broad selection of staple sizes, brands, and pack quantities. It’s a reliable option if you want a full range from standard office staples to heavy-duty and specialty options. Their product pages usually list staple size details so you can match to your stapler precisely.

Expert Electrical

Expert Electrical is more known for electronics and electrical accessories, but many branches and online listings carry office hardware too—staplers, staple refills, and related tools. If you’re already checking cables and chargers, it’s convenient to pick up a box of staples while you’re there.

Ryman

Ryman is a classic stationery chain in the UK. It focuses on office essentials, from paper and pens to staplers and refills. Ryman’s stores and site often have helpful staff and clear product descriptions, which makes them a good choice when you want small packs or mid-sized boxes and friendly advice on compatibility.

Viking (Viking Direct)

Viking caters to businesses and tends to stock bulk options, ideal for offices that go through staples quickly. Their range includes branded staples, budget options, and heavy-duty types. If you’re buying by the case or want consistent supply management, Viking is worth considering.

Amazon UK

Amazon offers huge variety and quick delivery options. It’s perfect when you need an exact size and want to compare brands, read reviews, and see customer photos. You can find single boxes, multi-packs, and specialist staples that might be harder to source in physical stores.

WHSmith

WHSmith carries a smaller but practical range of staples and desk supplies. It’s handy for home and student shoppers who need a quick top-up. The selection isn’t as deep as specialist office suppliers, but it’s often in high-street locations and easy to reach.

Robert Dyas and Screwfix

These retailers are more hardware-focused, so they shine for heavy-duty and specialty staples used in DIY or trade jobs. If you’re stapling tough materials like fabric, insulation, or cabinetry under 1/2 inch thickness, you’ll find robust options here aimed at construction and craft use.

How to choose the right staple for your stapler

Choosing staples isn’t guesswork if you follow a simple checklist. First, check your stapler’s manual for supported staple sizes (crown and leg length). If you don’t have the manual, measure an old staple or look for a model number on the stapler and search online. Match the crown width and leg length to the staple packaging to avoid jams or incomplete clinches.

Check compatibility first

Not all staples fit all staplers—some models accept only narrow crown staples, others need medium or full-size crowns. Using the wrong size can cause jams or bent legs. Think of it as trying to fit a square peg in a round hole: it simply won’t work right.

Consider the task (paper stack height)

For small stacks up to about 20 pages, standard office staples are fine. For 30 to 60 pages, step up to heavy-duty staples with longer legs. If you frequently bind large reports or booklets, invest in a heavy-duty stapler and the appropriate long-leg staples.

Buying in bulk vs. small packs: when to choose which

Buying in bulk is cost-effective for businesses that staple daily. A box of 1,000 or several thousand staples significantly reduces the per-staple cost. For home users or small offices with light usage, smaller packs avoid waste and keep storage minimal. Think of bulk buying like stocking a pantry for a bakery—great if you bake every day, not ideal if you only make a loaf once a month.

Pros and cons of bulk buying

Bulk equals savings and fewer reorders, but it needs space and you must ensure the staples won’t oxidize in damp conditions—choose coated staples if storage is a concern. Smaller packs are more flexible and less intimidating for occasional users.

Sustainable and eco-friendly staple options

More suppliers now offer staples and staplers made from recycled steel or with minimal packaging. If your office has green goals, look for recycled or easily recyclable staple strips and choose vendors that minimize plastic. Eco staples perform like conventional ones but reduce your environmental footprint—small swaps that add up.

Recycling and disposal tips

Used staples are tiny metal pieces, and most recycling centres accept them when included with shredded paper or office metal waste. Keep a small magnetized tray near your stapler to catch stray staples; it makes disposal tidier and reduces the risk of stepping on a stray piece.

Tips to avoid staple jams and improve performance

Jams are the most common staple-related headache. Keep your stapler clean and regularly clear any bits of paper that accumulate. Use the manufacturer-recommended staples and avoid mixing sizes. When loading, align the strip carefully and don’t overfill the cartridge. Think of your stapler like a car: regular maintenance keeps it running smoothly.

Quick fixes for a jam

If a jam happens, remove all remaining staples, gently extract the stuck piece with tweezers or a staple remover, and reload with a properly aligned strip. If your stapler still misfires, check for bent internal parts or stripped springs—sometimes replacement is cheaper than prolonged frustration.

Cost-saving strategies when buying staples

Saving money doesn’t mean compromising quality. Buy multipacks when your usage justifies it, compare unit prices across stores, and sign up for business accounts with suppliers like Viking for volume discounts. Watch for seasonal sales at Ryman or Staples and subscribe to alerts on Amazon for price drops. Simple habits—like tracking usage and buying in planned batches—cut spending without cutting corners.

When to splurge and when to save

Spend a little more on coated or brand-name staples for high-volume or important documents where appearance matters. For rough work like packing slips or temporary fixtures, economy staples are perfectly adequate. It’s about choosing the right tool for the job, not always buying the most expensive option.

Final checklist before you buy

Before you add staples to your cart, run through this quick checklist: confirm your stapler’s compatible crown width and leg length in inches, decide between standard or heavy-duty depending on stack height, choose coated if you need rust resistance, and pick pack size based on usage. A little planning saves the most common office frustration: the dreaded jam at crunch time.

Conclusion

Staples might seem like a small component of office life, but picking the right type, size, and retailer makes a big difference. From high-street names like Ryman and WHSmith to specialist suppliers such as Viking and hardware options at Robert Dyas or Screwfix, the UK market covers every need—whether you’re after tiny strips for occasional use or bulk packs for a busy office. Remember to match sizes in inches to your stapler, consider sustainability, and buy smartly to keep your workflow smooth and jam-free.