How to Safely Clean Your Printer (Step-By-Step)

Submitted by Nolan Fowler on

 "How do you properly clean a printer? How often should I clean it? Do I even need to?"

These are common questions that many printer owners will eventually ask. Cleaning your printer or copier is crucial when it's a machine you rely on every day for your business's document processes.

If you don’t clean your printer, you may encounter various service or print issues, which could lead to costly repairs or the need to replace the printer. Additionally, using incorrect materials to clean your printer could cause damage to the machine.

So, how do you clean your printer the right way?

5 Best Printers for College Students (2024)

Submitted by Liz Adair on

As August approaches, you may find yourself preparing for the big move from high school to university as a first-time college student.

This could involve picking out new decor for a dorm room or planning the commute from your parent’s house. In any case, college is a significant milestone in a student’s life.

During this hectic time, it’s normal to consider big-picture concerns: dorm essentials, apartment renting costs, and whether to attend a local community college or an out-of-state college.

But have you considered the cost of printing? One thing is certain: as a college student, you will do a lot of it!

College students face high printing costs on campus, often around 20 cents per page. For students in paper-heavy classes, these costs add up quickly, creating a burden on top of tuition, food, and housing fees. Additionally, finding printing stations on campus can be difficult and time-consuming.

What Does Collate Mean in Printing?

Submitted by Byanka Ramos on

When you’re knee-deep in a complex print job, the last thing you want is to spend hours sorting and organizing pages manually. That’s where collating, often called sorting, comes in—a feature that can save you time, hassle, and headaches. If you've ever felt overwhelmed trying to understand printing terms or functionalities, you’re in the right place. Today, we’re diving into what collate means in printing, why it's useful, and how to make the most of it with your printer.

At Strategic Technology Partners of Texas (STPT), we’ve been providing top-tier printers to hundreds of businesses for nearly 40 years. Our extensive experience means we know how printers work and how to utilize them to their full potential. This blog aims to share our expertise and help you harness the power of your printing technology.

By reading this article, you'll gain a clear understanding of:

A3 Printer vs. A4 Printer: What’s the Difference? 

Submitted by Mary Shamburger on

Office printers/copiers are divided primarily into two categories: A3 and A4 machines.​

What are the differences between the two types of machines? And why should you be aware of them?

To get the right printer for your company, you need to understand whether you need an A3 or A4 machine. There are clear distinctions between the two.

As a vendor that has sold office printing equipment for almost 40 years, we’ve gathered the expertise necessary to inform you of the differences between A3 and A4 machines and summarize who would and wouldn’t be a fit for each.

A3 vs A4 Comparison Infographic

Let’s dive into the blog, starting with A3 machines first:

Top 5 Best Printer Paper Options for Teachers (2024)

Submitted by Liz Adair on

As teachers nationwide continue to fight for higher pay, many are still required to stock their classroom supplies for the school year. 

However, school supplies can be costly for teachers, especially those just starting out. In 2022, the average salary for a public-school teacher in the United States was $66,000. This number is only an average. In some states, public-school teachers make as little as $30,000 a year. When you consider the rate of inflation, teacher salaries have decreased by three percent in recent years despite raises and annual pay increases.

Unfortunately, many schools also lack the funds to offer supply stipends to teachers.

A Guide to Standard Printer Paper Sizes

Submitted by Byanka Ramos on

Have you ever found yourself staring at a dropdown list of paper sizes on your printer settings, wondering why there are so many options? It's like trying to pick the right fork at a fancy dinner—confusing and overwhelming. The confusion can double if you're an office worker dealing with international clients. You want to ensure your documents print correctly on the other side of the pond, but the varying paper sizes can make it challenging.

Why are there so many paper sizes? What do they all mean, and when is it best to use each? These questions are all too common in the printer world. As print vendors for nearly 40 years, we know the ins and outs of printing and paper.

Today, we’re here to help you navigate the world of printer paper sizes. By the end of this blog, you'll understand the different paper sizes, their uses, and how to choose the right one for your needs.

5 Best Office Printers for Macs (2024)

Submitted by Liz Adair on

MacBooks are increasingly common in most office environments.

While the reasons for this vary, Macs have become so popular because of their usability and efficiency. 

79% of Mac users say they aren’t as efficient with any other computer, and 74% report that they experience fewer issues with their Macs than with other computer brands.

However, as efficient as MacBooks are, finding quality office printers that are compatible and easy to use with Mac OS can be challenging. 

Our print experts at STPT know that deciding on a printer can be difficult, especially when trying to find one that is compatible or easy to use with Mac computers. We’ve compiled this list of options to help you learn about the best printers for Mac computers.

How to Fax Without a Fax Machine

Submitted by Byanka Ramos on

Do you need to send an important document to a hospital, government office, or legal firm? Chances are they’ve asked you to fax it. But like most people today—you don’t own a fax machine. This is a common dilemma, especially for younger generations who might never have used one. Despite the world going digital, faxing remains a secure way to send documents, particularly in sectors like government and healthcare. It’s not likely to go away anytime soon.

At Strategic Technology Partners of Texas (STPT), we’ve been in the printing industry for over 35 years, long enough to remember when fax machines were a common office staple. We understand that the average person wants convenient and quick ways to get things done. Today, we’ll leverage modern technology and show you how to fax without a fax machine.

Top 5 Best Eco-Friendly Printers for Small Offices (2024)

Submitted by Liz Adair on

Practicing environmentally sustainable printing in the office isn’t just a selfless sacrifice for the good of the world—it can also make you more money.

Now, you may be thinking this sounds too good to be true, but let’s take a look at some facts before you click away:

♦ Fact 1: Enacting a sustainable strategy for your business can reduce operating costs by as much as 60%

This cost reduction comes from a combination of factors related to sustainable practices: increased revenue, tax incentives, increased brand loyalty, and investment opportunities. 

Top 6 Best Xerox Home Office Printers (2024)

Submitted by Byanka Ramos on

Are you trying to find an office printer for your home or home office? If you are, the number of home printer options on the market can be overwhelming. There are thousands, making it difficult to decide which one to choose. 

No matter the purpose, you need a reliable printer to handle all your printing needs.

Choosing the wrong printer can lead to added frustration, especially if you purchase a printer that can’t reasonably handle how much you print. 

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