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. While we don't sell printer paper, we understand how important it is for printers to have the right type of paper to get the best results possible.

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.

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. 

Best Printers with Cheap Ink (2024)

Submitted by Byanka Ramos on

One of the most common questions when choosing a printer is, "Which printer has the cheapest ink?" It's a simple question, but the answer is more complex than one might hope. Ink costs can vary greatly depending on the type of printer, how much you print, and your specific needs.

At Strategic Technology Partners of Texas (STPT), we've been selling and repairing printers for nearly 40 years, and we frequently receive customer questions about the cost of toner. We understand that buying a printer can be daunting, especially when worrying about ongoing ink and toner costs. We also know that consumers want an efficient printer that won't break the bank long term.

What is Print Speed and Why it Matters

Submitted by Byanka Ramos on

 Have you ever stood by the office printer, drumming your fingers in frustration as you waited for your documents to print? You're not alone. Print speed is a critical factor that can significantly impact productivity in any business setting.

If you’ve ever shopped for a printer, you’ve likely seen the term “print speed” thrown around a lot. But what does it really mean, and how does it influence your purchasing decision? Many people find themselves puzzled by this term, wondering how it translates to everyday use.

At Strategic Technology Partners of Texas (STPT), we aim to answer your questions and clarify any confusion about print speed to help you make informed decisions.

With almost 40 years of experience supplying printers to numerous businesses, we recognize the significance of efficient printing solutions.

What is the CMYK Color Model? Why Is It Important?

Submitted by Byanka Ramos on
Video

Imagine you're about to print a batch of marketing brochures for an upcoming event. You've spent countless hours perfecting the design, ensuring every detail reflects your brand's identity. But when you receive the printed brochures, the colors are off, and your carefully chosen hues look nothing like they did on your screen. This scenario is all too common and can be incredibly frustrating. The culprit? A lack of understanding of the CMYK color model.

At STPT, we've encountered this issue numerous times in our nearly 40 years in the printing industry. Many people aren't familiar with CMYK, what it stands for, and its crucial role in printing.

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