Staples in Baltimore: Where Office Supply Shopping Still Makes Sense
Staples on North Point Boulevard operates as a full-service office supply retailer in a city where most competitors have shrunk their physical footprint or closed entirely, making it one of the few places in Baltimore where you can walk in and buy printer paper, toner, and furniture on the same trip.
What Staples Actually Is
This is a 15,000-square-foot format store carrying consumables (paper, pens, ink cartridges), office furniture, technology accessories, and printing services. It functions as a traditional big-box office supply destination rather than a specialty shop, with the convenience trade-off that prices on commodity items run higher than online retailers but stock is immediate. The North Point location sits in Canton, near retail traffic but without the foot traffic that drives discounting in higher-density areas.
Stock, Pricing, and In-Store Services
Printer ink and toner cartridges range from $15 for basic third-party options to $65 for OEM cartridges. Paper starts at $4 for a single ream of 20-pound white bond and runs to $12 for premium finishes. Office chairs range from $150 for basic mesh models to $400 for ergonomic adjustable designs with lumbar support.
The in-store printing service handles business cards (starting around $20 for 250), copies (typically $0.10 to $0.15 per page depending on size and color), and poster printing. Turnaround is same-day for most jobs placed before 2 p.m., though custom orders or large volume jobs may take longer; call ahead to confirm current timelines. Custom printing prices vary too widely by spec to quote accurately here, but the service exists where many competitors no longer offer it.
How Staples Compares to Other Baltimore Office Supply Options
Office Depot closed its last Baltimore-area location in 2021, eliminating the primary direct competitor. Local independent office supply stores like those in Federal Hill and Canton serve niche audiences (architects, designers) but charge premium rates and carry smaller inventories. Amazon and Quill offer lower prices on most items and free delivery over certain thresholds, but require advance planning and exclude consumables you need immediately.
The Staples location suits someone who needs a cartridge or a ream of paper today, wants to inspect office furniture in person before committing to delivery, or requires printing in under 24 hours. It does not suit price-conscious bulk buyers or anyone who can wait two business days, both of whom will find better rates online. Recurring office supply contracts (50+ employees, standing orders) are better handled directly with suppliers like Grainger or through an account rep; Staples pricing on volume orders is not competitive against dedicated B2B suppliers.
Who Benefits and Who Does Not
Solo practitioners, small offices (under ten people), and students find value here because the convenience of immediate availability offsets the price premium on basics, and the furniture showroom lets them test desk ergonomics or chair height before purchase. Design firms and larger operations should use this location only for emergency supplies and urgent printing; their regular needs belong on a corporate account elsewhere.
Home office workers stocking a new setup will save money online but may appreciate handling furniture in person to verify dimensions and build quality.
What to Expect on a First Visit
Park in the dedicated lot; spaces are available almost always. The store is organized by category: paper and writing supplies occupy the front left, ink and toner run along the back wall, furniture fills the right side, and technology accessories cluster near the registers. Staff availability for questions varies by time of day; weekday mornings (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.) are quieter. The printing counter operates separately from checkout. Bring your file or design on a USB drive or email it to the in-store address (provided at the counter) before placing an order.
Hours, Location, and Logistics
The North Point Boulevard location is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking is free and abundant. Verify hours by phone before visiting on a holiday or during seasonal shifts, as these may change.
Staples remains relevant in Baltimore not because it is exceptional, but because it solves a specific problem: same-day access to office supplies and printing when you cannot wait or cannot afford the premium that comes with most local alternatives.
