Supplies & Maintenance

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.

What is Duplex Printing? How To Print On Both Sides of the Paper

Submitted by Nolan Fowler on

How do you print on both sides of the paper with a printer? 

Duplex printing, or double-sided printing, is something many people use with their printers and copiers. It can help you save paper and money! 

But figuring out how to do it can be tricky sometimes. There are two main ways to duplex print, and which method you choose may depend on your needs and goals. 

We’ve been a trusted local printer company in Texas since the 1980s, with a team that has over 200 years of combined experience in the industry. 

In this article, we’ll break down what duplex printing is, the different types, how to do it, and the benefits of printing on both sides of the paper. 
Printing on both sides of the page can look a little different based on your machine. Since we work closely with Xerox, we’ll share steps specifically for using a Xerox printer. 

What is EOS (End of Service) for My Printer?

Submitted by Keith Metzler on

What happens when your trusty printer, the one that has been churning out countless pages, is suddenly on the brink of a big change? You've heard the term "End of Service" (EOS) tossed around, but what does it really mean for your machine?

At Strategic Technology Partners of Texas (STPT), we've spent nearly 40 years guiding businesses through the highs and lows of printer ownership. We know how important it is to stay ahead of your printer's lifecycle, and we understand the confusion and uncertainty that EOS can bring.

In this article, we’ll break down what EOS is, why it matters, and how to navigate this phase with confidence. You’ll also learn what steps to take and how to keep your operations running smoothly—even when your printer hits EOS.

How Do You Fix a Paper Jam? (Instructions)

Submitted by Joel Metzler on

When it comes to common printer issues, none are quite as famous as the paper jam. It’s a term you’ve likely heard often if you’ve ever used a printer. Paper jams can be annoying, especially if you’re rushing to get an important document printed before a meeting. But, you might be wondering how to fix this pesky issue.

Fortunately, Strategic Technology Partners of Texas (STPT) is here to help.

With nearly 40 years in the printing industry, we’ve seen it all. We’ve serviced and fixed hundreds of printers, helping businesses like yours keep their documents flowing smoothly.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what a paper jam is, why it happens, how to fix it, and ways to prevent it in the future. By the end, you’ll feel confident tackling that pesky jam and getting back to work hassle-free. We’ll also share how a simple maintenance plan can keep these interruptions to a minimum, saving you time and keeping productivity high.

5 Best Practices for Color Printing

Submitted by Mary Shamburger on

Color printing can be essential for business materials, from marketing flyers to detailed reports. We all want our color prints to look sharp. But achieving vibrant, professional color prints without overspending on ink or toner requires more than just hitting "print." You need to consider factors like color combinations and printer paper options to use. 

Even when you perform a color printing test before scheduling a large print job, you are still wasting money on ink or toner—and those dollars really add up if your company prints significant amounts of marketing material.

How to Clean Laser Printer Rollers

Submitted by Matthew Eberhart on

You’re midway through printing an important report, and suddenly—jam! Your printer stops, displaying an error message that only adds to your frustration. Sound familiar?

At Strategic Technology Partners of Texas (STPT), we get it. For nearly 40 years, we've helped businesses resolve hundreds of printer issues, from minor jams to complex mechanical failures. With our extensive experience, we know that printer rollers are often the unsung heroes behind reliable printing, and keeping them clean is vital.

In this article, you’ll learn what printer rollers are, when and how to clean them, and tips to keep them functioning longer, so you can minimize those frustrating interruptions. Let’s get started.

What is a Printer Roller

Printer rollers are essential components in laser printers responsible for moving paper through the machine and ensuring print quality.

How to Clean Printer Heads on Your Inkjet Printer: A Complete Guide

Submitted by Matthew Eberhart on

Are streaky, faded prints driving you crazy? A clogged print head could be to blame. Print heads, especially on inkjet printers, can clog over time, impacting the quality of your documents and photos.

As experts in print technology at Strategic Technology Partners of Texas, we’ve spent nearly 40 years solving printer issues just like this for our clients. We know the ins and outs of printers, from routine maintenance to complex repairs.

This article will walk you through why print heads clog, how to spot the signs, and easy steps to clean them—so you can get back to clear, crisp printing in no time.

Looking for tips on how to clean your printer? Our easy printer cleaning guide will show you the safe steps to get your printer shining again!

What Are the Benefits of our Customer Portal Account?

Submitted by Matthew Eberhart on

We know how hectic your day can be. Between managing your business, keeping up with daily operations, and ensuring everything runs smoothly, the last thing you want is another task bogging you down. Whether it’s ordering supplies, scheduling a service call, or paying an invoice, waiting for business hours to resolve these tasks can be frustrating—especially when time is of the essence. 

At Strategic Technology Partners of Texas (STPT), we get it. With over 40 years of experience providing top-tier print and office solutions, we’ve seen firsthand how important it is to make things easier and more efficient for our customers.  

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