Office Equipment

What's Included in STPT's Base Service Plus Cost-Per-Copy (CPC) Plan?

Submitted by Byanka Ramos on

Ever wondered what’s truly covered in your printer service agreement? Even if you think you understand, many new and longtime customers still find themselves asking questions. In fact, it’s one of the most common questions we hear.

Maybe your printer needs service, your toner is running low, or you receive your monthly invoice and aren't quite sure what you're paying for. Those questions are completely understandable. Knowing exactly what’s in your service contract makes managing your printers easier and stops you from guessing about what's covered.

Over the 40 years we’ve been helping businesses keep their printers running efficiently, we've found that many questions about our Base Service Plus Cost-Per-Copy (CPC) Plan don't come from the service itself. Instead, they stem from simply not knowing what to expect.

This guide explains exactly what's included, what isn't, how the billing works, and whether the CPC Plan is the right fit for your business.

How Long Do Printers Last? (and How to Make Yours Last Longer)

Submitted by Keith Metzler on

When a printer starts jamming every other day or takes twice as long to finish a print job, it could be that your printer is simply getting old.

While replacing office equipment isn't something businesses plan to do often, holding onto a printer for too long can cost more than replacing it.

The thing is, there isn't a single lifespan that applies to every single printer. A home inkjet printer used a few times each month is different than a business MFP producing thousands of pages every week. The way a printer is used, maintained, and even the environment it's kept in all affect how long a printer will last.

Why Print Media Still Matters in a Digital World (And Why It's Making a Comeback)

Submitted by Byanka Ramos on

If you walked into a bookstore on a Saturday afternoon, browsed the magazine aisle at a grocery store, or noticed the growing popularity of vinyl records, you might think you've stepped back in time. In a world where nearly everything seems to be moving online, physical media is experiencing an unexpected resurgence.

At first glance, that might seem contradictory. After all, we have smartphones in our pockets, cloud storage for documents, streaming services for entertainment, and digital platforms for nearly every aspect of work and life. Despite this, people are still choosing physical books, printed marketing materials, vinyl records, and other tangible forms of media.

5 Best Printers for College Students (2026)

Submitted by Keith Metzler on

Starting college often means buying new laptops, textbooks, dorm essentials, and countless other supplies. However, an often-overlooked item is the printer. For many students, having reliable access to a printer can make life a lot easier throughout the school year.

While most colleges offer campus printing services, those costs can add up quickly. According to many university printing programs, students often pay per page once they exceed their allotted print credits. If you're printing research papers, study guides, lecture notes, scholarship applications, and class projects, those small charges can add up over the course of a semester.

Convenience is another factor. A personal printer gives students the flexibility to print whenever they need to, whether that's from a dorm room, apartment, library study session, or shared living space.

How to Replace the Transfer Belt Cleaner on a Xerox AltaLink B8200 Series Copier

Submitted by Matthew Eberhart on
Video

 

If your Xerox AltaLink B8200 Series copier is displaying a "Replace Transfer Belt Cleaner" message, you may be wondering what this component does and whether replacing it is something you can handle yourself. Fortunately, the process is relatively straightforward when you know where to find the part and how to install it correctly.

Like many maintenance items inside a Xerox copier, the transfer belt cleaner plays an important role in maintaining print quality and keeping the machine operating efficiently. Ignoring a replacement alert can eventually affect performance, which is why it's best to replace the component when prompted.

At Strategic Technology Partners of Texas (STPT), we've serviced thousands of Xerox printers and copiers across North Texas over the past 40+ years.

The 5 Best Budget Printers in 2026

Submitted by Nolan Fowler on
Video

 

When it comes to purchasing a printer, saving money is a top priority for most. This is especially true when you have a limited budget. But, you also don’t want to just purchase any cheap printer and have it break down when you most need it. You want a quality printer that won’t break the bank.

In this guide, we'll look at five of the best budget printers available in 2026 and explain who each model is best suited for. With 40+ years of experience in the printer/copier industry, we have broad knowledge of the various types of machines out there.

While we primarily work with businesses, we’ve evaluated printers across several brands and know what makes a printer both affordable and worthwhile.

While these may not be the only options available, they give you a good baseline of what's out there as you search for your next printer.

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How to Dispose of an Old Printer: Recycling, Donating, Selling, and Secure Disposal

Submitted by Byanka Ramos on

According to the United Nations, the world generated more than 62 million metric tons of electronic waste in 2022. And this number is only growing every year. However, only a fraction of that waste is actually collected and recycled. Printers, copiers, scanners, and other office equipment often end up in storage rooms, garages, closets, and landfills.

If you've recently upgraded your office equipment or have an old printer that's no longer working, you may be wondering what to do with it. Can you throw it away? Should you recycle it? Does it store any information that needs to be erased first?

The answer will depend on the type of printer, its condition, and whether it contains any sensitive data.

What Is Page Coverage and Why Is It Important? 

Submitted by Karla Metzler on
Video

 

Page coverage is one of the most important printing concepts most people have never heard of.

If you've ever purchased a toner cartridge that claimed it could print thousands of pages, only to find yourself replacing it much sooner than expected, page coverage is often the reason why.

The amount of toner or ink used on each page directly affects how long your supplies last, how much your printing costs, and whether the cartridge yield listed on the box is realistic for your how you actually print.

At Strategic Technology Partners of Texas, we've found that one of the most common sources of confusion is page coverage and its role in toner consumption.

In this guide, we'll explain what page coverage is, what 5% page coverage means, what it actually looks like, and why understanding it can help you make smarter printing decisions.

Xerox Proficio PX500: Pros, Cons, and Cost

Submitted by Byanka Ramos on

The production print industry is facing an interesting challenge.

Customers want faster turnaround times, shorter runs, more personalization, and higher-quality output than ever before. At the same time, many print providers are dealing with labor shortages, rising operating costs, and increasing pressure to do more with fewer resources.

That's one reason Xerox launched its new Proficio production press family.

The Xerox Proficio PX500 is designed for production environments that need more speed, more automation, and more monthly volume than entry-level production systems can comfortably handle. It builds on many of the technologies introduced in the Proficio family while targeting organizations that produce a higher volume of work and need maximum efficiency from both their equipment and operators.

Naturally, that leads to an important question:

Is the Xerox Proficio PX500 worth the investment, and who is it really designed for?

The Best Laser Printers for Home Use in 2026

Submitted by Byanka Ramos on

Are you working remotely or helping your kids print school assignments, or simply need a reliable printer for occasional documents? The right laser printer can make all the difference. However, finding the perfect laser printer is easier said than done. In 2026, there are thousands of options, and it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

That’s why we’ve compiled this list. At Strategic Technology Partners of Texas (STPT), we leverage 40 years of expertise to help you navigate the best options available. We know that consumers are looking for high-quality, efficient, and or cost-effective printer options.

This blog will guide you through the top five best laser printers for home use, highlighting key features, specifications, and why these models stand out.

In this guide, we'll look at the best laser printers for home use in 2026, explain who each printer is best suited for, and help you understand what features matter most before you buy.

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