Cheap Stationery: How to Get a Child Ready for School, Equip an Office and Not Overpay

Quality stationery does not have to be expensive. This article contains proven ways to buy stationery profitably: from seasonal fairs and wholesale purchases to online marketplaces and unexpected places like Japanese second-hand stores. You will get a ready-made list, learn real prices and be able to cut expenses without losing quality.

For a family with one or two schoolchildren, getting ready for 1 September can easily become a noticeable burden on the budget. According to surveys and publications, preparing a first-grader in Kazakhstan in 2025 cost about 50,000 tenge, and a significant part of this amount was for stationery and educational materials. At the same time, prices for non-food goods in 2025 rose by an average of 9-10%, and before the school year stationery prices increased by up to 15%.

But there is good news: stationery is one of those categories where a smart approach to choosing the place and time of purchase gives 30-50% savings without losing quality. This article contains only proven methods that work in Kazakhstan right now.

Prices vary greatly depending on the sales channel. For example:

School uniforms in regular stores average 30,000 ₸, while at school fairs they cost 2-3 times less.

Backpacks in shopping centres cost 8,000-10,000 ₸, at fairs 3,000-4,000 ₸.

Stationery at fairs is almost half the price of stationary outlets.

Office paper (a ream) jumped from 1,600 ₸ in 2022 to 2,400-3,500 ₸ and has not returned to previous levels.

Inflation and a high share of imports (about 70.8% of turnover with Russia) continue to put pressure on prices, so finding profitable purchasing channels has become especially relevant.

Below is a detailed breakdown of all working channels in Kazakhstan.

Every year in July-August, school fairs are held in major cities of Kazakhstan. For example, in Astana on the EXPO grounds, Kids EXPO operates where more than 50 entrepreneurs offer uniforms, stationery, books and toys. In the city of Konaev a similar fair allowed parents to buy goods twice as cheaply as in stores.

Why it is profitable: sellers do not pay rent, and local authorities and entrepreneurs deliberately reduce prices to support families. The main downside is that fairs operate for a limited time, usually 2-3 days.

Large wholesale-retail projects such as Kanc.kz, OfficeDom.kz, Officemarket.kz, Dobromir and Kants-Servis offer thousands of items at prices close to wholesale.

What this gives:
- Wholesale prices are available even for small volumes.
- Delivery across Kazakhstan is often available.
- The assortment covers all needs — from pens to safes.

Tip: many online stores offer an additional 5-10% discount on online orders.

Kaspi.kz is the largest platform with a huge selection of stationery, often with free delivery and the possibility of instalment purchases.

Satu.kz is one of the oldest platforms, where hundreds of thousands of items from suppliers across Kazakhstan are presented.

Wolt — some stationery stores are connected to the service, and goods can be received in 30-60 minutes.

Kanc.Asia / Megamarket.asia is an online mega-market that, in addition to stationery, offers household goods, children's items and appliances.

Why it is convenient: you can compare prices in real time without leaving home and immediately see reviews.

The Almaty flea market has hundreds of pavilions where you can find almost everything, including stationery. Yes, you will have to spend time and bargain, but prices here are often lower than in shopping centres. In Karaganda and Astana there are also markets and stores of the "household goods + stationery" format where you can buy items without extra markups.

An unexpected but extremely interesting source of stationery is Japanese second-hand stores.

Jalan Jalan Japan is an international chain that sells used items from Japan. The store in Almaty (Zhetysu-Semirechye shopping centre) offers not only clothing and shoes, but also dishes, interior items and stationery. Items are often in perfect condition, and prices are many times lower than market prices.

Japan Style (Almaty, Gogol St., 120) is a Japanese goods store where, among other things, you can find original notebooks, pens and other stationery.

Important: the assortment in such places is unpredictable — it is there today and gone tomorrow. But if you live in Almaty or visit there, it is worth stopping by.

One of the most effective ways to save is to join forces with other parents from the class or colleagues at the office. When buying 20-30 identical items, many suppliers give wholesale prices. This is especially relevant for notebooks, pens, pencils and paper.

Below is an approximate list that can be adapted to the requirements of a specific school. Prices are approximate as of 2025-2026.

Prices at fairs: the full set for primary school can be assembled for 10,000-15,000 ₸, while in retail stores it costs 20,000-30,000 ₸.

Office expenses for stationery in Kazakhstan have grown in recent years. In the first half of 2022, the increase in costs averaged 38%. Here is what you can do right now:

• Switch to electronic document management — this directly reduces paper consumption by 17-20%.
• Use double-sided printing.
• Buy paper wholesale — a ream of SvetoCopy or Ballet will be cheaper when ordering 10 or more reams.
• Choose compatible cartridges instead of original ones (if the equipment allows).
• Use private-label stationery — for example, OfficeSpace from Relief-Centre offers a budget segment without brand overpayment.

Check 2-3 sources. Compare prices on Kaspi.kz, Satu.kz and in online stores before buying.

Look at the price per unit. A set of 10 pens for 500 ₸ may be more expensive than 10 individual pens at 40 ₸ each.

Factor in delivery. Free delivery above a certain amount often makes online shopping more profitable than a trip to the store.

Check seasonal promotions. In July-August many chains hold sales on school supplies.

Paying for the brand. Notebooks and pens from well-known brands can cost 1.5-2 times more than analogues of identical quality.

Beautiful packaging. Gift-box sets are often more expensive than the same items bought separately.

“Extra” items. At the checkout they may offer “very necessary” little things. It is better to make a list in advance and stick to it.

Shelf life. For paints, glue and modelling clay it is limited.

Packaging integrity. Crumpled notebooks and broken pens are a common problem at flea markets.

Composition. For children's creativity it is important that the materials are non-toxic and have safety labelling.

Country of origin. European and Japanese goods are traditionally of higher quality, but Chinese and Russian brands also offer decent options.

Buying everything in one place “for convenience” and overpaying 20-30%.

Buying too much “just in case” — stationery takes up space and some may spoil.

Ignoring fairs and wholesale purchases.

Not checking for discounts and promotions.

Buying only expensive brands when there are quality analogues.

Items for young children. Modelling clay, paints and glue must be certified and safe.

Online orders. Carefully read the product description, specifications and reviews.

Fakes. At flea markets and bazaars you sometimes find items imitating well-known brands.

Electronics and cartridges. Compatible consumables can damage office equipment, so it is better to consult the supplier.

1. Make an exact list — for school, office or home. Do not buy “by eye”.
2. Check what you already have. Often there are unopened notebooks, pens and pencils left over from last year.
3. Compare prices online. Open Kaspi.kz, Satu.kz, Kanc.kz and 2-3 online stores.
4. Find the nearest fair or promotion. In season (July-August) this is the best option.
5. Contact other parents / colleagues. Ask if they want to buy together.
6. Check the flea market or Japanese second-hand store. If you live in Almaty, this can give unexpectedly good finds.
7. Place the order. Choose the seller with the best price, delivery and good reviews.
8. Upon receipt, check the goods. Verify quantity, packaging and shelf life.
9. Keep receipts. If the item is defective, you will be able to return it.
10. Plan purchases in advance. In May-July stationery is cheaper than at the end of August.

Where is the cheapest place to buy stationery in Kazakhstan?
At school fairs (July-August), wholesale bases and with group purchases.

Can I compare stationery prices online?
Yes, via Kaspi.kz, Satu.kz, Kanc.kz and other platforms.

Is it worth buying stationery at a flea market?
Yes, if you have time and are ready to bargain. You can find items 20-40% cheaper.

What is Jalan Jalan Japan and does it have stationery?
It is a Japanese second-hand store in Almaty. The assortment sometimes includes notebooks, pens and other items.

When is the best time to buy school stationery?
In May-July prices are lower than in August. Fairs operate in August.

How to save on office stationery?
Buy wholesale, use double-sided printing, choose compatible cartridges and switch to electronic document management.

Can I return stationery if it does not fit?
Yes, if the original appearance and receipt are preserved, within 14 days (check the specific store’s conditions).

What are the dangers of very cheap stationery?
Low quality (ink leaks, pencils break), unsafe materials, especially for children.

How much does it cost to get a child ready for school?
In 2025 — about 50,000 ₸ for the full set including uniform and backpack. Stationery — approximately 10,000-15,000 ₸ with a smart approach.

Which stationery brands offer the best price-quality ratio?
Koh-I-Noor, OfficeSpace, ErichKrause, Brauberg, Hatber — a good balance of price and reliability.

AdiletTV — “Growth in prices for non-food goods…” — used for data on inflation and the rise in stationery prices in 2025.

Newspaper “Ogni Alatau” — “To help the family budget” — information about the school fair and prices.

Tengrinews — “Everything for school in one place” — report on the Kids EXPO fair in Astana.

Forbes Kazakhstan — “Time to stock up on paper?” — data on paper prices, import share and office supply costs.

Kanc.kz, OfficeDom.kz, Officemarket.kz, Dobromir, Kants-Servis — official websites of wholesale-retail stationery suppliers in Kazakhstan.

Kaspi.kz, Satu.kz, Kanc.Asia — information about marketplaces and apps for buying stationery.

Someplace.kz — “Almaty flea market. The most detailed overview” — used to describe the flea market as a purchasing channel.

TeaTips blog — “Tea phenomena of Kazakhstan. Jalan Jalan Japan” — information about the Japanese second-hand store and stationery availability.

Japan Style — organisation card — data about the Japanese goods store in Almaty.

MoneyPanda.kz, Zakon.kz, KTK.kz — articles on ways to save on back-to-school preparations.

All data was checked as of May 2026. Prices and conditions may change — check current information in stores and on marketplaces.