Office Equipment

If you’re experiencing issues with your printer or you’re in the market for a new one, you might already feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options and price ranges out there. A quick search can show printers priced anywhere from under $100 to well over $100,000, all claiming to be the “perfect solution.”

Now, the simplest option would be to go to your nearest retail store…say Walmart, Office Depot, or even Amazon, and pick up a new printer on the cheap.

Easy, quick, and problem solved… right?

Well, it depends.

If you’re a home user or someone who prints occasionally, a retail printer can absolutely be the right choice. But if you’re a business or organization that relies on printing to keep things running, that initial convenience comes with a cost you don’t see until later. And by “later,” we usually mean after the return window has closed.

Finding the right copier/printer vendor is much like choosing a long-term business partner. You want someone who understands your goals, communicates clearly, and supports you long after the paperwork is signed. A copier contract isn’t something you enter lightly. Depending on your print setup, you may be working with that vendor for years. So, it makes sense to step back and ask a simple but important question:

“Are we actually the right fit for each other?”

At Strategic Technology Partners of Texas (STPT), we value fit just as much as you do. We understand that when expectations, needs, and values align, everything runs more smoothly, from installation to ongoing service.

But when the match is off, even small issues can cause unnecessary frustration and disrupt your entire workflow.

When was the last time you tried to buy a printer and thought, “Why is this so complicated?” Retail stores mostly offer low-cost devices, brand websites showcase every model under the sun, and local vendors offer business-grade equipment. Choosing the right printer is only half the battle. The other half is figuring out where you should buy it.

Where you buy a printer can influence not only how it performs but also what you pay for it in the years to come.

And while STPT is a print vendor, we’re not here to persuade you one way or another. We want to help you understand the real differences among the three main buying routes: retailers, manufacturer websites, and print vendors. Then, you can make the right decision for your business, team, and budget.

Table of Contents

Most offices spend time thinking about antivirus protection, suspicious emails, and passwords. But what about the office printer? It’s usually forgotten about until something goes wrong. And lately, things are going wrong.

According to the 2025 Quocirca Print Security Landscape report, 55% of organizations experienced at least one print-related data loss in the past year. Even more concerning: print security confidence among SMBs is declining as attacks become more frequent and more expensive, averaging nearly $1 million per breach.

When people talk about business revenue, they usually bring up sales strategies, marketing plans, or operational efficiency. Very rarely do they point to the printer in the corner of the office. But did you know your copier or printer plays a much bigger role in your revenue than you might realize?

Printing equipment can boost your marketing impact, operational cost savings, and bring entirely new revenue opportunities. And for many businesses, the key to unlocking that value starts with understanding how your current device is functioning in the bigger picture.

We have decades of experience helping companies evaluate their printing environments. We know that the right device and strategy can directly support growth. This blog breaks everything down in simple, practical terms, so you can see exactly how your printer affects your bottom line and how to maximize your return.

Table of Contents