Supplies & Maintenance

Ideal Conditions for Your Printer: How to Avoid Costly Repairs & Extend Its Lifespan

Submitted by Keith Metzler on

You rely on your printer to work when you need it—but have you ever considered whether your office setup is actually working against it? Many businesses unintentionally place their printers in less-than-ideal conditions, leading to frequent breakdowns, costly repairs, and a shorter lifespan.

At Strategic Technology Partners of Texas (STPT), we work with printers daily and have firsthand experience with how environmental factors impact performance. We’ve seen printers stored in overheated server rooms, placed directly under air vents, or even positioned in areas with high dust buildup—leading to premature wear and tear. The good news? Many of these issues are preventable with proper care.

By understanding the ideal conditions for your printer, you can extend its lifespan, reduce maintenance costs, and keep your office running smoothly. Let’s dive in.

5 Best Photo Printer Paper Options (2025)

Submitted by Liz Adair on

Imagine you and your partner standing on a beautiful beach, gazing into each other’s eyes as the golden sun dips into the clear blue water behind you. The warmth of the sand beneath your feet, the salty breeze in your hair, and how your partner’s smile lights up the entire scene—a moment frozen in time, etched forever in that photograph.

That's why we take photos - to capture and cherish life's precious occasions.

Because photographs are more than just snapshots, they’re portals to memories. Whether holding your new puppy in your arms on your parents’ old front porch or clasping your high school diploma with friends dressed in cap and gowns, these images permanently capture temporary moments.

What is Toner Yield? A Comprehensive Guide

Submitted by Karla Metzler on

Your printer just blinked a warning: “Low Toner.” Now you’re wondering how much longer it’ll last. Will you make it through that big report, or will it fizzle out halfway through? For anyone managing office supplies, toner yield is the key to smarter printing decisions.

At Strategic Technology Partners of Texas, we’ve worked with printers for nearly 40 years. We know the value of reliable, high-quality office supplies. Understanding toner yield—the number of pages a cartridge can print before running out—is vital for balancing quality, cost, and efficiency.

In this article, you’ll learn what toner yield is, the factors affecting it, and how to maximize it for your office. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to optimize your printing and keep your budget in check.

Should You Update Your Printer’s Firmware? 

Submitted by Karla Metzler on

How important is your office’s security to you? If it’s not already a priority, consider this: 68% of organizations have experienced at least one endpoint attack that successfully compromised data or IT infrastructure, according to the Ponemon Institute.

One unexpected weak spot that hackers often exploit is your printer.

Yes, your seemingly harmless printer could be an open door for cybercriminals. But there’s a simple, effective way to safeguard against these cyberattacks: update your printer’s firmware.

For nearly 40 years, we’ve been part of the printer and copier industry. Over time, we’ve seen how companies are becoming more concerned about printer security, especially when they handle sensitive data. 

What Are STPT's Maintenance Plans?

Submitted by Keith Metzler on

Is your office’s printer behaving like it’s auditioning for a comedy show instead of doing its job? Paper jams, weird noises, or just plain refusal to print—every office has been there. While managing print issues can be frustrating, having the right maintenance plan can make all the difference.

At Strategic Technology Partners of Texas (STPT), we’ve been helping businesses of all sizes keep their printers running smoothly for nearly 40 years. With our expertise and customer-first approach, we ensure that your office equipment stays in top shape, so you can focus on what matters most—your work.

In this article, we’ll explore what a maintenance plan is, the different plans we offer, the benefits of auto-toner shipments, and which plan might be the best fit for your business. Whether you’re an IT manager or a decision-maker tasked with finding reliable printing solutions, this guide is your roadmap to stress-free printing.

How to Clean the Drum Lens on the Xerox AltaLink B8100/C8100 Series (Fix White Lines)

Submitted by Matthew Eberhart on

 

Imagine this: you're in the middle of printing a crucial document or a set of vibrant images for a presentation, and suddenly, your eyes come across white lines that run through your prints.

It's frustrating, to say the least, especially when you're striving for high-quality results. If this is you, then it might be time to clean your drum lens.  

Over time, drum lenses in printers like the Xerox AltaLink B8100 and C8100 series can accumulate dirt, debris, and toner, leading to print quality degradation. If left unattended, this can significantly impact your printing tasks, leaving you with subpar output and potentially costly reprints.

Printer maintenance is vital, and we at Strategic Technology Partners of Texas (STPT) know that. A printer issue can ruin your daily schedule and cause you to fall behind. 

My Copier is Old. Am I at Risk?

Submitted by Keith Metzler on

Did you know that most business copiers and printers have a lifespan of 4 to 7 years? If your copier is older than that, it could be putting your business at risk. From security vulnerabilities to reduced efficiency and rising maintenance costs, an outdated copier can create more problems than you might realize.

At Strategic Technology Partners of Texas (STPT), we’ve been in the print business for nearly 40 years. We’ve serviced and replaced countless copiers, helping businesses like yours find the balance between performance and cost. We know the signs that a copier has reached the end of its useful life, and we understand how to maximize its lifespan until you’re ready to upgrade.

What is Print Resolution? Why it Matters

Submitted by Byanka Ramos on

Are you about to print something important, like a flyer for your business, wedding invitations, or a big banner for a trade show? You hit "print," and when the pages come out, you see a blurry, pixelated disaster. What happened? The likely reason is poor print resolution.

At Strategic Technology Partners of Texas (STPT), we’ve spent nearly 40 years working with printers to ensure our clients get the best print quality possible. We know the ins and outs of print resolution and how to achieve picture-perfect results.

In this article, we’ll define print resolution, explain how it impacts print quality, and give you actionable tips to ensure your projects look sharp and professional.

64 Common Printing Terms Defined  

Submitted by Joel Metzler on

Pop quiz: What does ppm mean? What’s a printer’s duty cycle? Can you tell the difference between A3 and A4 paper?

If you can answer even one of those questions, you’re already ahead of many when it comes to basic printer knowledge.

Understanding printer terms is helpful, especially when you’re on the hunt for a new machine. You could easily fill a textbook with all the printer jargon out there, and knowing terms like these will make your search smoother.

As a locally managed print vendor for nearly 40 years, we’ve encountered countless confused customers. It’s clear that a “Printing Encyclopedia" is needed!

Getting familiar with basic terms during your research will make you more knowledgeable and prepared to tackle questions about what you need

Matte vs. Glossy Paper

Submitted by Byanka Ramos on

Have you ever held two printed materials—one with a sleek, shiny finish and another with a smooth, non-reflective surface—and wondered which one would work better for your project?

Choosing between matte and glossy paper can be a tough choice, especially when the stakes are high for creating professional, eye-catching prints. Each finish has its strengths and ideal uses, but making the wrong choice can mean blurry photos, hard-to-read text, or materials that just don’t look the way you imagined.

At Strategic Technology Partners of Texas (STPT), we’ve been helping businesses and individuals optimize their printing processes for nearly 40 years. Whether you’re printing marketing materials, professional photographs, or everyday documents, we’ve seen how the right paper can transform your project.

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