In South Africa, stationery is still part of daily life for students, teachers, and office workers. Even with more people using digital tools, many still need good notebooks, pens, files, and other supplies. If you're looking for the best stationery manufacturers in South Africa, there are some strong local brands offering solid products built for real-world use.
Below, we go through some of the top names making stationery in South Africa today.
Quick Links
- 1. CTP Stationery – A Trusted Name in South African Stationery
- 2. Croxley – Everyday Stationery for Home, School, and Office
- 3. Penflex – Locally Made Pens, Markers, and Highlighters
- 4. Freedom Stationery – Affordable Supplies for Schools, Offices, and Homes
- 5. Stadex – Paper-Based Solutions Made in South Africa
- 6. Park Avenue Stationers – A One-Stop Shop for Office and School Needs
- 7. Syloon – An International Supplier for Fashion Stationery and Lifestyle Products
- FAQs
1. CTP Stationery – A Trusted Name in South African Stationery
CTP Stationery has been making stationery in South Africa for over 40 years. It manages several well-known local brands, including Donau, Flip File, Premier Stationery, and Grafton Paper Products. Each brand focuses on a different need, from school books to filing systems and craft materials.
The company is known for offering practical, long-lasting stationery. They don't just make notebooks and pens — their full range includes:
- Filing products like lever arch files, ring binders, punched pockets, and storage boxes
- School supplies, including exercise books, labels, and soft/hardcover notebooks
- Plastic filing systems, such as Flip Files and display books
- Project and craft items, including colored paper, board pads, and sketch pads
- Office journals, diaries, calendars, and wiro notebooks
One of the strong points of CTP Stationery is variety. Whether you’re setting up an office or packing school bags, they likely have what you’re looking for. Many of their products are also made using recyclable materials, which helps reduce waste without driving up cost.
CTP recently added two more brands to their catalog: Tidy Files and SFS, both known for specialized filing systems. This move gives customers even more options, especially for office or archive use.
All their products are made to fit South African needs and are easy to find in stores across the country. Their website also shows full product catalogs for schools, resellers, or anyone ordering in bulk.
2. Croxley – Everyday Stationery for Home, School, and Office
Croxley has been part of South African life since 1893. For many people, it's the brand they remember from school, or the label on the notebook they use at work today. Croxley is one of the longest-standing stationery names in the country, known for practical and affordable products that cover a wide range of needs.
The brand is used in homes, classrooms, and offices across South Africa. Their catalog is broad, including:
- Paper products like exercise books, sketch pads, and notepads
- Writing tools such as pens, pencils, fineliners, crayons, and highlighters
- Art supplies including paints, paintbrushes, and glue
- Filing items like folders, lever arch files, and ring binders
- Maths sets and school kits, ideal for students
Croxley products are made to be reliable and easy to use. They’re not designed to be fancy — they’re built to do the job, whether you're writing, drawing, organising, or studying. The Croxley Create line is especially popular, offering everyday basics like glue sticks, coloured pencils, and wax crayons at good prices.
Because of its wide product selection, Croxley is often the first choice for schools and parents. Their stationery is easy to find, budget-friendly, and built to last through the school year. Offices also use Croxley for standard filing needs and writing tools that don’t break the bank.
With over 130 years in the market, Croxley continues to be one of the best stationery manufacturers in South Africa — not just because of history, but because they keep things simple and useful.
3. Penflex – Locally Made Pens, Markers, and Highlighters
Penflex is one of South Africa’s top producers of writing tools. Based in Cape Town, the company manufactures pens, markers, and highlighters in a local facility that supplies both domestic and export markets. Unlike many brands that import their goods, Penflex makes most of its items in-house, giving them better control over quality and cost.
The Penflex product range includes:
- Ballpoint pens, ideal for schools, offices, and everyday use
- Whiteboard markers, used widely in classrooms and meeting rooms
- Permanent markers, suitable for industrial and packaging needs
- Highlighters, available in a variety of colours
- Fineliners and specialty pens for detailed work
Penflex focuses on durability and value. Their pens write smoothly, don’t leak easily, and come in both bulk and retail packs. Many of their markers are refillable, which helps reduce waste over time — a small but useful feature for workplaces and schools trying to cut down on cost and plastic.
What sets Penflex apart is that they are one of the few fully local manufacturers of stationery in South Africa. This helps them offer competitive pricing and fast delivery, even in large quantities. Many South African schools and companies rely on Penflex for affordable, reliable writing tools that are easy to replace and use.
4. Freedom Stationery – Affordable Supplies for Schools, Offices, and Homes
Freedom Stationery is one of the largest stationery brands in South Africa. The company is based in Durban and offers a broad selection of school, office, and household stationery. Their products are known for being tough, easy to use, and priced for everyday buyers.
A major part of their range is sold under the Marlin brand, which includes:
- Exercise books, exam pads, and precut book covers
- Writing tools like gel pens, ballpoint pens, pencils, and markers
- Kids’ products such as colour pencils, wax crayons, glue sticks, and sharpeners
- Art materials including play dough, paints, and triangular colour pencils
- Filing and office basics, from files to envelopes
Freedom Stationery focuses on value and volume. They supply schools in bulk and also stock their products in retail stores for individual shoppers. Many items come in multipacks, which makes them cost-effective for families, classrooms, or small businesses.
The Marlin Kids range is especially aimed at younger students, offering safe, colorful, and age-appropriate stationery. For older users, the Marlin Arrowline and Ultraglide series provide smooth-writing pens for everyday tasks.
With a full catalog and strong distribution network, Freedom Stationery continues to serve as a reliable option among South Africa’s best stationery manufacturers — especially for those who need to buy in bulk without compromising on basic quality.
5. Stadex – Paper-Based Solutions Made in South Africa
Stadex is a local manufacturer based in South Africa, known for its focus on paper stationery and related products. The company primarily supplies the education and office sectors, with items that are simple, functional, and easy to source.
- Their product lineup typically includes:
- Exercise books, counter books, and exam pads
- Filing materials such as paper folders, covers, and dividers
- Business stationery like invoices, receipt books, and carbonless copy pads
- Blank and printed forms used in schools and small businesses
Stadex is not a flashy brand, but it’s well-known in regional supply chains. Their items are used in many schools and offices, especially where bulk orders are needed. The focus is on volume, standard sizing, and consistent supply rather than premium features or designs.
Because Stadex products are made locally, they often cost less than imported alternatives. This makes them a common choice for government contracts, NGOs, and budget-focused buyers looking for reliable paper-based stationery.
Though not as widely advertised as bigger brands, Stadex remains part of the stationery backbone in South Africa, offering dependable products for everyday use.
6. Park Avenue Stationers – A One-Stop Shop for Office and School Needs
Park Avenue Stationers is a South African supplier that covers a wide mix of office, school, and general stationery needs. Their slogan, “Your Office Supplies Specialists,” sums up their approach — a broad catalog, reliable service, and competitive prices.
What makes Park Avenue different is that they don’t only sell paper and pens. They offer full office and school support, including:
- General stationery: files, books, pens, highlighters, sharpeners
- Office furniture and equipment: teacher desks, crowd control barriers, storage
- Ink and toner: both original and compatible cartridges
- Presentation and planning tools: whiteboards, notice boards, flipcharts
- Computer and printer accessories
Their products come from well-known brands as well as their own house brands. They cater to individual buyers, schools, and corporate clients, with nationwide delivery and online ordering.
While Park Avenue is not a manufacturer, they are an important distributor and retail supplier in South Africa’s stationery market. They bridge the gap between brands and customers, especially for buyers looking to place full-package orders in one place — from filing items to presentation tools to ink refills.
For schools, offices, and even home-based workers, Park Avenue offers a practical way to source most stationery and office essentials without shopping from multiple vendors.
7. Syloon – An International Supplier for Fashion Stationery and Lifestyle Products
While there are many strong local brands in South Africa, some businesses and retailers may look to international stationery manufacturers for large-scale production or custom design options. Syloon, based in Ningbo, China, is one of the top global exporters in this space.
Founded in 2004, Syloon produces:
- Writing instruments like pens, markers, and highlighters
- Paper products including custom notebooks and journals
- Arts and crafts materials
- Office stationery, clips, organizers, and desk tools
- Bags, pouches, and cases for stationery storage
- Drinkware and branded lifestyle items for gifting or retail
They operate a 40,000 m² manufacturing facility, launch over 10,000 SKUs per year, and serve global clients through OEM, licensing, and gifting solutions. Their products are often used by fashion retailers, IP licensors, and promotional product suppliers.
Syloon stands out for its focus on design-forward, branded stationery. They work closely with clients to create custom products that match marketing or seasonal needs — something that may be harder to achieve through local mass-market suppliers.
For companies in South Africa that want unique packaging, international gifting lines, or high-volume production, Syloon provides an alternative to local manufacturers, especially in the retail and export sectors.
FAQs
Q1: What is the most popular stationery brand in South Africa?
Croxley and CTP Stationery are two of the most recognized names. Croxley has been around since 1893 and is found in most schools and offices. CTP manages several brands like Donau and Flip File, known for their range and everyday use.
Q2: Which stationery brands are best for schools in South Africa?
Brands like Freedom Stationery (Marlin), Premier Stationery, and Trefoil are often used in schools. They supply everything from exercise books and pens to glue and colouring sets.
Q3: Are there South African companies that manufacture stationery locally?
Yes. Penflex, CTP Stationery, Freedom Stationery, and Stadex all manufacture products within South Africa. This helps with lower costs and faster delivery.
Q4: Where can I buy from these stationery manufacturers?
You can order directly through brand websites like CTP, Penflex, or Freedom Stationery, or buy from retailers such as Bidvest Waltons, Takealot, and Park Avenue Stationers.
Q5: Do any of these companies make eco-friendly stationery?
Yes. CTP Stationery and Syloon both offer eco-conscious options. CTP uses recyclable materials in many of their paper products, while Syloon offers custom “eco product” lines for international buyers.
Q6: Is it cheaper to buy local stationery brands than imported ones?
Usually yes. Local brands like Penflex and Stadex are often more affordable than imported products, especially when bought in bulk.
Q7: What if I need custom-branded stationery for business or events?
Companies like Syloon (international) and some local suppliers may offer custom branding. For local options, you’d need to contact manufacturers directly or go through a B2B distributor.
