Photo: Jess Bailey via Unsplash
Staples Rewards & Penny Deals: A Budget Shopper's Playbook
Staples has quietly stayed one of the better destinations for near-free office basics, thanks to a rewards program that pays real cash back and a recurring "penny deals" promotion that turns select items into essentially free after rebate. Add print and copy discounts most people never use, and there's more here than just notebooks and printer paper.
Staples Rewards: Free and Genuinely Useful
Staples Rewards is free to join and returns a percentage of qualifying purchases as redeemable rewards.
- Earn on qualifying categories, including ink, toner, and select office supplies at a higher rate than general merchandise.
- Rewards convert to certificates usable like store credit on future purchases.
- Free recycling program for ink and toner cartridges also earns rewards credit.
Penny Deals: The Signature Staples Mechanic
Periodically, Staples runs "penny deals" where a specific item — often a small office essential — is available for just one cent after Staples Rewards redemption, usually capped at a limited quantity per customer.
- Check weekly promotions since penny deals rotate and aren't always advertised prominently.
- Requires an active Staples Rewards account to redeem the special pricing.
- Quantities are limited, so early shopping in the promotional period matters.
Where to Find Legitimate Staples Promo Codes
- Staples.com directly: Current promotions and weekly deals are listed on the homepage.
- Verified aggregators: Trackdowndeals.com tracks live Staples coupon codes to confirm before checkout.
- Email & rewards member alerts: Weekly ad promotions are sent directly to subscribed Rewards members.
Print & Copy Discounts Most Shoppers Skip
Beyond retail products, Staples' in-store print and copy services run their own periodic promotions — useful for anyone printing documents, signage, or marketing materials regularly.
- Bulk printing discounts apply automatically at higher quantities in many cases.
- Rewards points accrue on print services purchases too, not just retail products.
Price Match Guarantee
Staples will match identical items from select competitors — useful for bigger purchases like office chairs, printers, or furniture.
- Bring proof of the lower price before or shortly after your purchase.
- Combine with an active Staples coupon code when terms allow stacking.
Time Purchases Around Known Sale Events
- Back-to-school season: Staples' single biggest promotional window, with penny deals and deep discounts on classic supplies.
- Back-to-business/January: A secondary wave of office furniture and organization promotions.
- Black Friday & Cyber Monday: Strong discounts on printers, electronics, and office furniture.
Real-World Example: Stocking a Home Office
Say you need $60 in basic supplies. Timing the purchase during back-to-school penny deals, redeeming existing Staples Rewards certificates, and applying a promo code from TrackDownDeals could realistically bring that $60 order down to $30–$35.
Frequently Asked Questions About Saving at Staples
- Do I need Staples Rewards to get penny deals? Yes, an active Rewards account is required to redeem the special pricing.
- Do Staples Rewards certificates expire? Yes, typically after a period of inactivity — check your account regularly.
- Can I stack a promo code with penny deals? Penny deals are usually already at the maximum discount for that item — check terms rather than assuming further stacking applies.
- Is the ink recycling program really free? Yes, and it earns rewards credit on top of being free.
Conclusion: Small Purchases, Real Savings at Staples
Staples rewards shoppers who pay attention to weekly promotions rather than buying supplies whenever they happen to run out — join Rewards, watch for penny deals during back-to-school season, and recycle old ink for extra credit along the way.
