Murray Printing & Office Supplies in Chattanooga: Full-Service Supply Source for Businesses and Remote Workers

Murray Printing & Office Supplies is an independent office retailer serving Chattanooga businesses, home offices, and institutions with equipment, furniture, and consumables. Unlike national chains that emphasize low-cost bulk purchasing, Murray operates as a mid-scale local shop where staff can advise on product selection and handle custom print work in-house, positioning it for customers who need same-day service or personalized guidance rather than the lowest per-unit price.

What Murray Printing & Office Supplies actually is

The business combines two functions: retail sales of office equipment, furniture, and supplies on one side, and an on-site printing operation on the other. This dual model means a customer can order business cards, letterhead, or promotional materials in the morning and pick them up the same day rather than waiting for a mail carrier or managing an online order. The shop stocks standard consumables (paper, pens, folders, desk organizers) alongside office furniture from recognized manufacturers, serving solo entrepreneurs, small law firms, medical offices, and corporate facilities managers in the Chattanooga area.

Print services and supply pricing

Murray's printing division handles both quick turnaround jobs and higher-complexity orders. Business cards typically start around $25 for 250 cards on standard cardstock with 1-2 color printing, with prices rising for specialty finishes like foil stamping or heavier stock. Letterhead and envelopes run $30 to $60 per 500 sheets depending on weight and ink coverage. Custom banners, yard signs, and promotional materials are quoted individually. Standard office supplies (paper by the ream, basic pen sets, folders) track competitively with national retailers; a ream of 20-pound white copy paper costs around $4 to $5, and standard ballpoint pens are $0.15 to $0.50 per unit depending on brand. Furniture pricing varies widely by piece. Small office chairs range from $150 to $400; desks start around $200 for basic laminate models and extend upward for solid wood or executive designs. The shop does not discount below list price on most items but will negotiate on bulk furniture orders for offices outfitting multiple workstations at once.

How it compares to other Chattanooga office supply options

Staples operates one location in Chattanooga (at Hamilton Place) and emphasizes volume discounts, mail-order convenience, and name-brand consistency. Staples' standard business card order costs $20 for 250 cards, slightly undercutting Murray, but typically requires 3 to 5 business days for delivery to the store. Office Depot has closed its Chattanooga locations, leaving Staples as the main national competitor. Local independent competitors like regional print shops focus narrowly on printing and design services but carry minimal inventory of office furniture or supplies. Murray's advantage lies in one-stop access: a customer needing both custom letterhead and a filing cabinet can complete both transactions in a single visit. The trade-off is that Murray's per-unit pricing on commodity items (bulk paper or pen packs) will usually exceed online retailers like Amazon, where a ream of paper costs $3.50 and bulk pen assortments run $0.08 per unit. Murray suits customers who value same-day service, face-to-face product consultation, and local business relationships; it does not suit price-sensitive bulk purchasers or those willing to wait for delivery.

Who it suits and who it does not

Murray works well for Chattanooga small business owners launching a venture and needing branded materials quickly, medical offices and law firms that require consistent letterhead and forms, nonprofits printing event programs or donation receipts, and corporate facility managers adding a few pieces of furniture to an existing office. The shop also serves remote workers and consultants who walk in for last-minute office supplies without placing an online order. It is poorly suited for companies buying office supplies primarily on price, those executing large furniture buildouts (a 50-person office needing 50 desks would benefit from a contract discount through a national distributor), and customers with highly specialized print needs (large-format architectural blueprints or specialty industrial labels may exceed the shop's equipment capability).

What the first visit involves

Walk-ins are welcome. For print orders, staff will take specifications in person: quantity, paper type, color count, finish options, and deadline. Simple jobs like business cards or flyers are quoted on the spot and usually completed within one to three business days if ordered before early afternoon. For furniture shopping, customers browse the showroom floor to handle chairs and desks in person, ask about assembly, and request quotes for custom upholstery or bulk orders. No appointment is required for supply purchases or initial print consultations, though larger custom print projects may benefit from a pre-visit call to ensure all specifications are clear.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Verify current hours by phone or the business website, as retail hours occasionally shift seasonally. Street parking is available on the block; no dedicated lot is noted. The shop is accessible from downtown Chattanooga and the North Shore area by car.

Murray Printing & Office Supplies fills a gap between national chains and boutique print designers by combining same-day printing, local service, and office furniture under one roof, making it a practical resource for Chattanooga businesses that can't wait days for supplies or prefer buying from a local owner.