Desk pads can help protect your desk from stray marks and spills, but also liven up your office in the process. But before you order mass quantities of desk pads for your office, get the low down on what the desk pads pricing and costs are for the style of pad you want.

If you want to make a statement in each office, you can consider selecting customized desk pads that depict the company logo or corporate saying. If your office style is more refined or basic, there are plenty of executive desk pads that come in dark-toned colors with no adornment, such as leather. If you are environmentally conscious, then a custom desk pad made from recycled materials might be for you. Consider the following when looking for desk pads:

1. Look for deals on leather desk pads

2. Get quotes on personalized desk pads

3. Find specials on a desk blotter made of recycled goods

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Find a classy leather desk pad for a reasonable price

Add a touch of sophistication to your office by using a leather desk pad. Leather desk pads tend to be durable and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. In the long run, purchasing a long lasting desk pad that doesn't need to be replaced as frequently can help you save money.

I recommend: LeatherDeskSets.com offers leather desk pads in a variety of colors and sizes. The smallest size, a 17-by-4 inch, will run you about $50 while the largest size, a 38-by-24 inch, will cost you around $170. They also sell a leather cleaner for $16. You can find a leather executive desk pad to suit you at LeatherTree. Their desk pads range in price from a 17-by-4 inch size at about $115 while a 38-by-24 inch sells for around $270.

Custom desk pads do not have to break the budget

If you want a uniform look across the company and want that look to contain your company logo or favorite motivational saying, look for companies that will make custom desk pads. Custom desk blotters are not only attractive, but they can help employees remember their goals and why they enjoy their job so much.

I recommend: Branders.com will imprint your company logo on desk pads at wholesale prices. Their prices range from about $44 for a minimum order of 12 to around $30 for an order of 119. If you have an order above 162, they ask you to call them for a special price. Custom Desk Blotters can also create you a custom leather desk pad. Their prices go from $155 to over $180 for quantities of 1 to 4, and $38 to approximately $42 for quantities over 101.

Be budget friendly and environmentally aware at the same time when choosing desk pads

If leather isn't for you, you don't need custom desk pads and you want to do something good for Mother Earth at the same time, find a company that sells an office desk pad that is made from recycled materials. You can either look for a pad made out of recycled paper or recycled plastic.

I recommend: You can find a 50 sheet paper desk pad at Staples. Both the paper and the backing is made from post-consumer material and will cost you around $14 each. InstaOffice has a recycled clear sheet desk pad that not only protects your desk, but allows you to use it to cover important papers on your desk and still access the information on them. This type of pad will cost about $3 each.

Desk pads serve several purposes. They protect your desk, say something about who you are and keep papers from sliding around when you're signing documents.

If you've never used a desk pad, consider one to help better organize yourself. Additionally, writing on a hard desk for a long period of time can tire your hand and even cause soreness. Today, you'll find cushioned desk pads that provide a comfortable and perfectly smooth writing surface. You can even buy personalized desk pads with your name or company logo.

1. Make sure the office desk pad you buy has a non-skid surface underneath like foam.

2. Look for a Rhinolin desk pad if you want a perfect writing surface. Rhinolin material, with anti-bacterial, anti-static and anti-glare properties, possesses a non-skid foam backing. It also self heals, repairing little nicks or cuts so the writing surface stays perfectly smooth and looks good for years.

3. If you buy any custom desk blotters that hold paper, ensure you buy ones that cover all four corners so no corner of paper is exposed, allowing paper or calendar pages to curl upward, get in your way and ruin your blotter's professional look.

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Buy a plain desk blotter to protect your desk

You don't have to spend a lot of money for a desk pad that does what it's supposed to and still looks good.

I recommend: Check out the Rhinolin desk pad at CleanSweepSupply or the Rhinolin desk pad with privacy cover at The Betty Mills Company that allows you to keep papers you're working with out of others' view. You should also take a look at the wood-tone desk pad at iBuyOfficeSupply or consider wholesale desk pads like the clear vinyl one at Costco.

Order custom desk pads that are multifunctional

Today's desk pads make great multifunctional tools that go beyond protecting your desk and providing comfort for writing

I recommend: The On Time Supply desk pad with leatherette corners holds 25 sheets of paper that let you doodle while on the phone or take important notes you don't want to lose. Buy the desk pad calendar from Staples to keep appointment dates and times in view while you're working at your desk; or order an inspirational calendar desk pad with space for writing notes at Iteminfo.com. On the pricey side, the custom leather desk pad at Levenger folds out to reveal pockets for business cards and 3x5 note cards.

Make a statement with high-end, executive desk pads

Manufacturers make pricey executive desk pads in hopes you won't cover them up with lots of papers and files. They want you to impress important clients with their leather desk pads and matching leather desk accessories. These customized desk pads will provide you with years of functionality, beauty and assistance in keeping a clean desk.

I recommend: Consider beautiful personalized desk pads like the rosewood and leather one from The Elegant Office. If you like custom desk pads, purchase the crocodile leather desk pad from Leather Tree. With so many options for customized desk pads, consider DeskSetShop's leather desk pad with a top rail to hold a calendar and while there, you can order accessories to match. If you enjoy writing with a fountain pen and would like an elegant desk pad, take a look at the combination executive desk pad and ink stand at Al-Matt.

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Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A custom desk pad can also save more than your desk. If you have a conference table at your place of business, consider placing black Rhinolin desk pads on the table in front of each chair to protect your conference table and complement the professional look of the room.

Desk pads, also used with a desk blotter, protect the surfaces of all different types of tables and desks from spills, scratches and stains. If you have ever spilled a cup of tea or had a pen that has leaked ink, you will definitely appreciate using a desk pad.

Since desks pads and blotters prevent damage to a particular work area, it is important to consider the following things prior to purchasing custom desk pads for your work area:

1. Sizes of desk pads vary to accommodate the many different types of work spaces. The key issue to consider is the amount of space which the desk pad needs to cover;

2. the shape of the work area that the office desk pad will be placed on;

3. and the actual materials used in the construction process for the desk pad/blotter.

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Promote your business using personalized desk pads

Promotional personalized desk pads are a great way to get your business name in front of potential customers. These can be given away as a promotional advertising gift and will be a continuous reminder of your business name and details for 365 days a year.

I recommend: Armu Products has many different sizes and shapes of desk pads on which can display your business information for maximum marketing power. Another wonderful resource for all types of promotional business desk pads is BettyLong.com. They also customize desk pads with your business logo..

Buy desk pads that not only protect your writing surface, but also keep your appointments handy

A great way to help you and your co-workers meet deadlines and time frames for projects or meetings is to utilize calendar desk pads. These help protect the individual's work space from scratching or staining, while having a calendar at their fingertips. These desk pads include space for writing daily appointments, as well as short memos related to these appointments.

I recommend: Bosch and At a Glance have many different types of calendar desk pads types and styles, which are excellent tools for scheduling business deadlines and events since the pad lies right in front of the person using it.

Create an elegant work space by adding luxurious executive desk pads to your work area

To make an ordinary work space or desk into an exquisite work area, the addition of an executive desk pad, pen holders and matching accessories adds a touch of class, beauty and organization to any work space. These can include leather desk blotters, leather desk pads and matching pen holder sets, which can be personalized or embossed with any logo or name desired.

I recommend: Levenger is a company that makes fine quality desk accessories for executive use that helps to organize the work and desk area. The Elegant Office has executive desk pads and sets, manufactured from quality top grain leather. These can be embossed to present an even more beautiful and organized work space, while also protecting the writing surface.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you have a leather desk set, clean the leather desk pads with a clean, damp cloth approximately once a month to maintain its beauty and function.

Your office or work desk is a place where you will spend considerable amounts of time. You need your work desk to look great and to last as long as possible in the best condition possible. Desk pads can help you create the style you want for your desk, while also protecting your desktop. There are many choices in desk pad styles and materials. Mastering desk pads key terms will help you find the right desk pads for your office.

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Desk pads

Desk pads are large, flat square pieces of material that are placed over a desk surface. These pads can be made from leather, vinyl, wood, cardboard and many other materials, but the aim of all desk pads is similar. Desk pads are meant to provide you with a comfortable writing space while protecting your desk surface. Decorative desk pads are also designed as a form of office decoration. Some pads have sections for storing notes and pieces of paper, helping you stay organized.

I recommend: SuccessImage has a detailed and illustrated definition of desk pads.

Leather desk pads

Leather desk pads are desk pads made from leather. In most cases, the frame of these pads is made from wood or metal, even though the majority of the surface is made from leather. Leather desk pads are considered elegant and appropriate for an executive.

I recommend: The Elegant Office has an illustrated guide to leather desk pads.

Linoleum desk pads

Linoleum desk pads are desk pads made from metal or wood frames, usually, with the main writing surface made from linoleum. Linoleum desk pads are popular because they are durable and easy to clean.

I recommend: HomeFurnish.com has a comprehensive explanation of linoleum desk pads.

Executive desk pads

Executive desk pads are decorative desk pads that are designed to create a professional image in the office. These desk pads are often made from quality materials such as leather, metals or wood. In many cases, executive desk pads are coordinated with other desktop accessories. In some cases, executive desk pads are promotional gifts.

I recommend: Everyday Blog has a comprehensive explanation of executive desk pads.

Laptop desk pads

Laptop desk pads are desk pads that are meant to absorb the heat of a laptop and help to keep your laptop cool.

I recommend: HowStuffWorks has a comprehensive explanation of how laptop desk pads work.

Vinyl desk pads

Vinyl desk pads are desk pads that are made from metal, cardboard or wood frames with a vinyl writing surface. These desk pads are inexpensive and easy to clean. They also provide a smooth writing surface and tend to be sturdy.

I recommend: Prestige Office Accessories offers a detailed explanation of vinyl desk pads.