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

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

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.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

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.

Tips & Tactics

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.