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Office supplies are a quietly excellent cashback category, especially if you run a business or buy ink and paper in volume — the portals pay solid rates at Staples and Office Depot, and there’s a membership angle most people miss. The rates also vary a lot between platforms here, so a quick comparison genuinely pays. Here’s the 2026 playbook.
The portals: Staples and Office Depot rates
Both office giants pay through shopping portals, and the rates spread widely by platform:
- Staples — about 4% via Rakuten and 4–5% via TopCashback; some platforms (RetailMeNot) have run 6% with a $50 minimum.
- Office Depot / OfficeMax — up to 4% via TopCashback, with comparison sites showing as high as 6%+ on other portals.
Rakuten also gives a $10 welcome bonus for new members. Because no portal always wins for office stores, check two before a big supply order.
The big exclusion to know
One critical catch: Rakuten excludes computers, laptops, desktops, HP printers, tablets, iPads, e-readers, and furniture from Office-store cashback. So for the tech you buy at Staples, route it through a tech-focused portal instead — see our electronics cashback guide. Office cashback is for the supplies: ink, paper, organization, shipping materials.
The business membership angle
If you buy ink and toner regularly, Staples Plus ($49/year) returns 10% back in rewards on ink and toner plus free next-day delivery with no minimum. For a small office burning through cartridges, that recurring 10% — stacked with portal cashback on the same order — usually beats any one-time app rebate.
Side-by-side comparison
| Option | Best for | Typical return | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TopCashback | Highest portal rate | Staples 4–5%, Office Depot up to 4%+ | No payout minimum |
| Rakuten | Reliable + $10 bonus | Staples ~4% | Excludes computers, printers, furniture |
| Staples Plus | Frequent ink/toner buyers | 10% back on ink & toner | $49/yr; free next-day delivery |
Worked example: a $150 supply order with ink
Order $150 of supplies including $60 of ink. Staples Plus 10% on the ink → $6; route the order through TopCashback at 4% → $6; pay with a 2% business card → $3. That’s roughly $15 back on $150 — and for a business, those rewards recur every supply cycle.
What to expect realistically
Watch the exclusions (tech and furniture usually don’t earn at office stores) and the per-platform spread — the difference between a 2% and a 6% offer on a big order is worth the 30-second check. Membership perks pay off only if you actually buy ink/toner often.
Which should you start with?
Compare TopCashback and Rakuten before any supply order, and add Staples Plus only if you’re a frequent ink/toner buyer where the 10% justifies the fee.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get cashback on a laptop from Staples?
Usually not through Rakuten (computers are excluded). Buy tech through a tech-focused portal instead.
Is Staples Plus worth $49?
If you spend roughly $490+/year on ink and toner, the 10% rewards alone cover the fee; below that, stick to portals.
Do print/copy services earn cashback?
Sometimes at higher rates than products — check the portal’s Staples Copy & Print rate, which has run notably higher.
Cover your other big-ticket buys with our guides to electronics cashback and furniture & home decor cashback.
