In the mid-90s, talk of the “paperless office”—even a paperless world—led to an explosion of business software and web-based applications that were supposed to make paper obsolete. As stationery converters know, however, the world still needs paper. In the U.S. alone, the consumption of paper products has boomed over 126 percent in the last 20 years. And there’s no end in sight. But what stationery converters are focusing on now is creating home, office and school paper products that are recycled and recyclable, biodegradable, ethically produced and that can be more efficiently used for longer periods of time. Converters are also turning to stationery stretch loops to keep up with demand for these more customizable products:

Notebooks with elastic cord—Paper notebooks enjoy strong demand, but with a few competitive twists. Aside from being made from recycled materials, elastic cord features that help snap notebooks closed when not in use, or to secure pens and pencils on the side can boost that demand.

Notebooks with Stationery Stretch Loop and Elastic Cord

Expandable file folders—Again, made with recycled materials, these can last for years, helping people keep track of other important papers, thumb drives, pens, etc. while on the go. The essential element for these is the elastic cord used to secure the folders shut, either with a button attachment or with barbed elastic cord on the edges.

Office products with elastic cord account for an impressive market share for stationery converters. Although the shift to digital in many areas of the office, school and home has hurt traditional products like greeting cards, demand for smarter notebooks and expandable file folders just keeps growing. In addition to in-office use, many companies are requesting customized elastic-cord enhanced supplies with logos for promotional use in marketing and as trade-show supplies and giveaways.

Contact Elastic Connections today to discuss all of your needs for bulk elastic cord in a wide variety of colors, lengths, widths, whether barbed, balled, looped or pre-tied.