Labeling is something that appeals to my organized self. I find it is a great way to save time and money. Here are my favorite ways to use labels in the office – hope they can help you too!

10 Office Organizing Tips Using My DYMO Labeler

1. Wire Shelves

I like to take my DYMO label writer and make labels for the shelves that hold our products. The shelves are the wire type so I had to get creative to get organized. I placed the label on construction paper, cut it to size, put a couple of hole punches at the top and hung from the shelf using twist ties. You can do this too – use twist ties, or small rings you can get from the hardware store to hang your label – and your wire shelves will look neat and tidy. You can even use different color construction paper to differentiate the different categories you store on wire shelves (products, cleaning supplies, equipment, etc.)

2. Postage

I ship out packages everyday. With the DYMO 450 I can print out my postage from the comfort of the office! I can then give them to the mail carrier, saving me a trip to the post office, or simply drop them in the bin at the post office! Makes errands for the office go 10 times quicker!

3. Equipment

We all have equipment we use daily in our offices. If we share any of that equipment with co-workers, it’s important to let everyone know where to find manuals, software, and who to call for any maintenance. I label all our equipment with location of manuals and phone numbers of maintenance companies so people are not dependent on just me for this information. I also tape all software to appropriate equipment – that way printer drivers are with the printer and not lost and easy for anyone to access.

4. Computer Software

Besides labeling the equipment we use, I also label all computer software in the office. For instance, when you purchase a new computer, many times software is installed already and you are given the actual CDs. I label the CD’s by what computer they came with and who is assigned that computer. If there are any issues, and trust me there always are, you can easily identify which CDs go with what computer for those times you may need to reinstall the programs.

5. Company Files

We all have files. It is important to retain files for 7 years when running a business so as part of setting up for the New Year, I clear out the old files. I know everyone labels the file boxes, but if they get wet or smear, you have to dig them out and open them up – using a label, you won’t have that problem. I use the larger DYMO labels to list the high level contents of each box. For example “2010 Customer Files A-C.”

6. File Cabinets

I like to condense files after I pull files for storage. I usually have a drawer or two that I no longer “use” for the files that were there before, so I change up my cabinets! But I inevitable forget what cabinet now holds what files, so I have gotten in the habit of once the files are in order that make sense to me, I label the outside of the file cabinet. This is a great tool for me – I can still find anything within a blink of an eye – but it also helps any co-workers who may be looking for shared files!

7. Tax Files

I pull all items that relate to taxes (people who may get paid using a 1099 form, etc.) and create a special file for them and label it appropriately. At the end of the year it is simple to pull that file and complete any tax forms.

8. Phones

There are numbers we need and call often, then there are numbers we need and call seldom. But how to keep track of them? I place the phone number and contact person using a DYMO label on the inside of the appropriate file folder. I like to keep this consistent with all my files folders and anyone who needs a number, or account number, or contact, can open any folder and find what they need!

9. Storage Cabinets

Taking inventory can be hard if there are a million places to find the same item! So I label our storage cabinet, which in our case is NOT on a wire shelf. Each shelf and place on the shelf is labeled so I can easily see what we are out of stock on and what needs to be ordered. So when you open the cabinet, shelf one is labeled paper, and on the shelf it is labeled “copy paper,” “construction paper,” ‘3-Hole Punch Paper,” etc. If anyone else puts away supplies they know where they belong!

10. Kitchen Supplies

To make sure the kitchen area is neat and clean, we label the cupboard with what goes in each cupboard. We also have our First Aid kit in the kitchen so that cupboard has red construction paper with a label on it so it is seen quickly. We also labeled the under sink cupboard so people would know where to put cleaning supplies and things like vases or rolls of extra paper towels.