Office Equipment

How Do I Print in Metallics and Fluorescents? (What is CMYK+?)

Submitted by Karla Metzler on

Think about the last time you walked past a bulletin board or flipped through a stack of mail. Most pieces probably faded into the background until one caught your attention with bold, shimmering color or a design that just looked different. For many businesses today, the challenge is figuring out how to make their prints stand out in a world where everyone is competing for attention.

Research suggests that print already has an advantage. Studies show that printed marketing pieces take 21% less cognitive effort to process than digital marketing, meaning people absorb print more quickly and easily than a digital ad on their phone. However, if everyone is printing in the same basic four colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, black), your message risks looking like everything else.

Printing Tips for Non-Profits

Submitted by Byanka Ramos on

If you work in a nonprofit, you know that every dollar matters. You’re tasked with raising awareness, building community, and inspiring donations. However, you often run on tight budgets and small teams. That means when it comes to printing fundraising mailers, event programs, or donor newsletters, you might feel caught in a tough spot: how do you produce materials that look professional and compelling, without spending more than you can afford?

Many people feel the same. According to Giving USA, total charitable giving in the U.S. reached over $400 billion in 2022. And yet, many nonprofits reported fundraising costs rising at the same time. Printing is a part of that equation, and it can either eat into your budget or help you stretch resources further.

Best Printers with Cheap Ink (2025)

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 think. 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 ink cartridges and refills. We understand that buying a printer can be stressful, 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.

How to Optimize Your Copier/Printer Fleet for Larger Businesses

Submitted by Mary Shamburger on

If you’re running a large business, chances are your copier and printer fleet feels a little more like a chaotic traffic jam than a well-orchestrated system. You might have multiple devices across multiple floors or even multiple states, which means IT is constantly fielding supply requests, service calls, and error messages. And let’s be honest, nobody wants their CIO spending Monday morning hunting down why “Printer 12B” is flashing a cryptic error code again.

As a print vendor, we’ve been helping organizations of all sizes tame their printer fleets for over 35 years. As an authorized Xerox partner, we specialize in making large fleets run smoothly, securely, and cost-effectively.

In this guide, we’ll walk through practical steps you can take to optimize your printer fleet—whether that means trimming excess devices, streamlining supplies, or tightening up security.

Table of Contents

Exploring the Similarities and Differences Between Production Printers and Office Printers

Submitted by Karla Metzler on

When businesses start looking into new printers, one of the first questions that comes up is: what’s the difference between an office printer and a production printer? The terms can be confusing, especially since office printers are sometimes labeled as multifunction printers (MFPs) while production printers are often described as commercial or digital presses.

As a certified print vendor and Xerox partner, we’ve worked with organizations of all sizes, including small offices and print shops, and we’ve seen how important it is to choose the right category. Picking the wrong type of printer can lead to overspending on unnecessary features or, worse, dealing with a machine that can’t handle your workload or deliver adequate quality.

Printer Security: Xerox's Approach, and Why it Matters

Submitted by Karla Metzler on

When most people think about cybersecurity, they picture firewalls, antivirus software, or maybe suspicious-looking emails. What usually doesn’t come to mind? The office printer. Yes, that inoffensive device in the corner of your office is actually a computer in disguise, and like any computer, it can be hacked.

That’s a real problem. In fact, a 2024 Quocirca study found that 67% of organizations experienced data loss due to print security failures in just the past year. Many of these stem from common printer security mistakes. That means if your business hasn’t thought about printer security, you’re already at risk.

Top 5 Best Home Office Printers (2025) 

Submitted by Mary Shamburger on

Working from home has become a regular part of many people's lives, and having the right tools can make or break your productivity. One of the most important pieces of equipment in any home office is a reliable printer. After all, nothing can derail your workday faster than a printer that has decided it won’t print—especially when you need it the most!

Whether you’re printing documents for work, scanning important paperwork, or even just making copies, you need a printer that can handle all your needs without taking up too much space, breaking the bank, or breaking down at the most inconvenient moment. But with so many options out there, how do you pick the right one?

How Exactly Does a Color Laser Printer Work?

Submitted by Byanka Ramos on

Have you ever watched your office’s color laser printer in action, curious about how it transforms a digital file from your laptop into a vibrant, complete page in just moments? Many people use these machines daily, yet few truly understand the complex process happening inside.

As print vendors who work with everything from small desktop units to high-volume production printers, we live and breathe this stuff. We’ve set up, maintained, and troubleshooted enough color laser printers to know them inside and out, literally.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of how a color laser printer works, explain the key components, clear up some common myths, and show you why these machines are so valuable for offices and schools. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture (pun intended) of what’s going on behind that sleek exterior. Plus, you might even be ready to choose the right one for your workspace.

5 Ways that Digital Printing Can Impact Your Marketing Strategies

Submitted by Karla Metzler on

If you work in marketing, you know how challenging it is to capture anyone’s attention. Emails are ignored, ads are skipped, and social feeds move too fast to make a lasting impression. Many organizations share the same struggle: breaking through a world already drowning in digital distractions.

Yet digital printing offers a fresh approach. Instead of being relegated to “old school” status, today’s digital presses have transformed into advanced tools that deliver vibrant, personalized, high-quality materials. These assets not only enhance campaigns but also make it easier to connect with customers in ways that linger in their memory.

5 Best Printers for College Students (2025)

Submitted by Keith Metzler on

Fall marks the end of summer, bringing cooler weather and a shift in routines. For millions of students, it's not just about saying goodbye to the sunny days but also about beginning a new chapter: starting college. This season marks the end of one summer adventure and the beginning of a college journey with new experiences, deadlines, and opportunities. 

If you're preparing for this transition, chances are you're also searching for essential tools to help you stay organized and efficient, like a printer

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.

Investing in a personal printer is a smart way for college students to save time and money.

Subscribe to Office Equipment