Out of all the office supplies that are used on a daily basis, copy paper has typically been the most important one. Think about how many items are printed out across the U.S. everyday and you can quickly understand how important it is.

Now that you understand how important paper is to a business, it also stands to reason that it's the single largest office supply expense each year (don't count machines like printers as they are a one time cost).

But, finding the least expensive price may not be the best scenario as well since you could potentially be sacrificing paper quality for a lower price. I'd suggest trying to stay with a name brand or house brand while shopping for a discounted price.

Before you start reviewing cheap copy paper, make sure that you have a clear understanding of what type of paper you really need as you may already be spending too much money. With so many types of paper available to buy today, it can be difficult to decide the best paper type for your needs. A handy review of the different paper types is listed below:

Multi-Functional - Like the name implies, this style of paper can be utilized for nearly any purpose. It's a "jack of trades" in the office paper world, but it's also not really a stellar performer in any specific area. It's versatility makes it one of the most popular paper styles that is currently sold.

Copier - This type of paper is predominately designed for use in a copier of some type. While it will work in other devices, the end results won't be quite as crisp or clear as some other types of paper.

Inkjet - Inkjet paper works best with inkjet printing devices. It's engineered to perform optimally with sprayed ink.

Laser - Specifically created for use in laser printers or copiers for optimum performance.

Once you have a clear understanding on the type of paper that you need, how do you get the best deal? There are a number of ways:

Start by doing some research and price comparisons. You'll need to have a baseline or average price in order to start aggressively looking for bargains.

Consider large volume purchases - Anytime you can make a large volume paper purchase you will save money. Bulk buying eliminates the costs associated with packaging so you can use that to your advantage.

Use Coupons or Discounts - Nearly all office supply companies offer or accept some type of discount or coupon. Use them and you can save some money.

Buying "cheap copy paper" may not always be the best solution so follow the tips listed above and you can get a good quality paper at a "cheap" price.