It was a great week here at the Office Ink Blog. We announced the winner of our HUGE Bigelow Tea Giveaway. Congratulations again, Wendi! Plus we shared Bigelow’s tips for making great iced tea, which was great because now I know why my iced tea never tasted right. Too much water.

Here’s a look at some of the other interesting articles we read this week:

– PBS runs down everything you need to know about the World Cup. First of all, it’s a soccer competition.
– And if you really get into it, here’s how to merge the World Cup schedule with your Google Calendar.
– With Flag Day coming up tomorrow, it’s a good time to learn a little about the history original Star Bangled Banner.
– Navy Seal explains why making your bed is the best way to start your day.
– How to turn small talk into more than complaints about the weather.
– 6 Habits of Super Successful People.
– How to clear your mind in 15 minutes to de-stress and refocus.
– Awesome TED Talk: Forget multitasking, try monotasking.
– Summer science activities that teach your kids how to make things explode. Also, lava lamps. Safely, we swear! No one’s going to lose an eye.

Have a great Father’s Day weekend! If you need a little last minute gift inspiration, check out our Dads & Grads Gift Guide.

The key to making great iced tea is to steep the tea bags in less water, and for a longer length of time than hot tea. That’s because the ice in iced tea melts and dilutes the brew. This video for Bigelow Tea shows you how to make great iced tea.  Continue reading →

Looking for the perfect Father’s Day Gift? The Office Ink Blog has you covered with our 2014 Father’s Day Gift Guide. And bonus: each of these tool, tech and accessory gifts for dad make great graduation gifts too.  Continue reading →

Rubber band sizes are a little confusing, since they don’t seem to follow any rhyme or reason. It’s not like the bigger the number, the bigger the band. So I reached out to the folks at Alliance Rubber Company, one of the  largest manufacturers of rubber bands in the country. Even they didn’t know where the numbers come from.

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Space heaters are in are involved in 79 percent of home heating fire deaths, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Most of these fire are due to improper use, not malfunctioning heaters:

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It’s not that you’re using your stapler wrong, exactly. It’s just that you could be using it so much better. These tips will get you neat, even paper stacks every time you staple. Continue reading →

So, you probably already know you can to design and print custom Avery labels, presentation binders, index dividers and more at Avery Design and Print Online. But did you know you can use Avery templates to customize office supplies from Universal, the On Time Supplies discount house band? Well, now you do!  Save time AND money by using Avery templates with discount Universal office supplies to print custom labels, binders and index dividers.

How to print custom labels with Avery templates and Universal discount label alternatives.

Nothing beats the convenience of Avery templates when you have a thousand shipping and address labels to print. You can use Avery templates with Universal’s discount labels. You  just need to know the compatible Avery label number. Luckily, On Time Supplies features an Universal /Avery Label Template Guide that lists that info for you.

Once you’ve located your label and compatible template, just enter your label in the search box at Avery.com.

How to print custom 3-Ring Binder Covers & Spines for Universal presentation binders with Avery Templates.

You can also  create custom presentation binders with discount Universal view binders and Avery Templates. You just need to know the size of your binder.  Avery offers templates for 1/2″ – 2″ spine inserts and labels, as well as standard and mini 3-ring binders. Just find your binder size on the Avery binder template page and let your creative juices flow!

How to use Avery templates to print custom table of contents index dividers on Universal alternatives.

Universal index dividers are a great low-cost alternative to Avery Ready Index products. To use Avery templates to customize your Universal index dividers, you need to know the compatible Avery product number. Use the chart below to find the right Avery template for your discount index dividers.

Universal Index Divider Style Compatible Avery Template A-Z 11125 January-December 11127 1-31 11129 5-Tab 11131 8-Tab 11133 10-Tab 11135 12-Tab 11141

Update: We have a winner! Congratulations to Kim, who said:

I use EXPO markers and whiteboards every day as a middle school band director. I’m allergic to chalk, so one of the first things I did as a new director to the school was to cover the chalkboards with whiteboards. Unfortunately, my dry erase markers always dry out before I can order new ones. I also teach at a Title 1 middle school (about 90% of the students are from low-income families and are on the state’s free and reduced lunches). My budget is VERY small, so I typically purchase office supplies (like my EXPO markers) myself out of pocket. My students and I would be so very grateful if we won the EXPO markers.

Very glad we could help, Kim! Everyone else, we’ve got another great giveaway happening right now! Enter the Sharpie Giveaway today for your chance to be a winner!

We’re giving away EXPO Dry Erase Markers and Whiteboard Cleaning Wipes to one lucky winner! Enter today for your chance to win!

• a free 12-Pack of EXPO® Low-Odor Dry-Erase Markers: bold, vivid color with no icky smell!
• a free 3-pack of retractable  EXPO® Click™ Dry Erase Markers: retractable tip means no more dried out markers!
• plus, a free cannister of EXPO® Dry Erase Board Cleaning Wipes: cleans stubborn markers, so you can keep your dry erase board looking brand new without breaking out the Ben Gay.  Continue reading →