IT firms across the country are discovering a lucrative revenue stream that’s hiding in plain sight: reselling wide format printers to their Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) clients.
At Steven Enterprises, we have seen forward-thinking IT firms build steady income simply by guiding their AEC accounts through printer selection, network integration, and ongoing support.
Providing IT services to AEC businesses and haven’t explored this opportunity yet?
You’re missing out on significant additional income while your competitors are already capitalizing on this natural extension of IT services.
Here’s why wide-format printer sales are earning a place in the modern IT service stack and how to decide if this revenue channel belongs in yours.
Why IT Firms Are Perfect for Wide Format Printer Sales
As an IT professional, you are uniquely positioned to recommend and manage wide format printing solutions because you already understand your clients’ networks, security requirements, and operational needs.
When AEC businesses need large format printing capabilities, they naturally turn to their trusted IT partners for guidance.
The relationship makes perfect sense.
You are already managing their technology infrastructure, so adding printing solutions creates a seamless extension of your existing services while providing substantial additional revenue.
What Additional Income Streams Work Best for IT Firms?
Wide format printer reselling offers IT firms multiple revenue opportunities like:
- Initial equipment sales with competitive margins
- Network setup and integration services (your core expertise)
- Ongoing maintenance and support contracts
- Security monitoring and updates
- User training and workflow optimization
- Consumables and supplies management
This diversified income stream means you generate money from the initial sale and also build long-term, recurring revenue relationships.
The Strategic Advantage: Network Control and Security
When you help source and select wide format printers for your AEC clients, you gain several critical advantages:
- Network Security Control: You choose machines you trust on your managed networks, eliminating potential security vulnerabilities from unknown or incompatible devices.
- Brand Reliability: Leading manufacturers such as HP, KIP, and Canon all offer excellent software platforms with robust security features, providing confidence in the solutions you implement.
- Ongoing Service Opportunities: Once printers are installed, you become the go-to resource for network integration, troubleshooting, security updates, and user support. This creates multiple touchpoints that strengthen your client relationships.
Which IT Service Models Work Best for Wide Format Printer Sales?
The opportunity varies based on your service model:
- Large AEC companies typically have in-house IT departments that can become internal champions for your solutions
- Smaller AEC firms usually rely on outsourced IT services, making you the natural point person for all technology decisions, including printing infrastructure.
Both scenarios present opportunities, but outsourced IT relationships often provide more direct influence over purchasing decisions.
Why are AEC Businesses Ideal Clients for This Service?
Architecture, Engineering, and Construction firms have unique printing needs that require specialized knowledge:
- Large format technical drawings and blueprints
- High-volume document processing
- Color accuracy for presentations and marketing materials
- Network integration with existing CAD and project management systems
- Security requirements for sensitive project data
Your existing relationship and technical expertise make you the ideal consultant for these specialized requirements.
How Does IT Involvement Improve Printing Security for Clients?
When you manage wide format printer selection and implementation, you provide significant security benefits to your AEC clients:
- Risk Mitigation: You can evaluate and implement proper security protocols from day one, thereby preventing potential data breaches through the use of unsecured printing devices.
- Network Integration: A professional setup ensures that printers are properly configured within existing security frameworks, rather than creating vulnerable access points.
- Ongoing Monitoring: Your continued involvement means security updates and monitoring become part of your managed services offering.
What Cost Savings Can IT Firms Demonstrate to AEC Clients?
Beyond security benefits, you can show clients tangible cost savings:
- Reduced downtime through proper network integration and ongoing support
- Optimized printing workflows that improve productivity
- Bulk purchasing power when you manage equipment procurement
- Preventive maintenance that extends equipment life and reduces emergency service calls
How We Help IT Firms Succeed in Wide Format Sales
Our team helps you select the machines that are best suited for your clients’ specific needs, taking into account their volume requirements, security standards, and integration needs.
Security Deep-Dive Analysis
We’ll provide you with detailed comparisons of security features across different brands (HP, KIP, Canon), giving you the technical knowledge to make informed recommendations and articulate security benefits to your clients.
Client Implementation Support
Steven Enterprises helps you pitch your clients by providing materials that clearly demonstrate the value proposition: cost savings for them combined with risk removal for potential security breaches.
We also handle all the technical legwork for your client relationship, making you more valuable as their trusted IT advisor while ensuring seamless implementation.
Are Other IT Firms Reselling Wide Format Printers?
IT firms across the country are already capitalizing on this opportunity. From coast to coast, smart IT professionals have recognized that wide format printer sales and management represent a natural evolution of their service offerings.
The trend is clear and in favor of IT service providers that deliver print services as part of a broader offering.
Companies are asking their IT partners to “find a printer” because they trust their technical judgment and want integrated solutions.
What Happens If You Don’t Adapt?
If you’re not offering wide format printing solutions to your AEC clients, you’re likely missing revenue opportunities while competitors position themselves as more comprehensive technology partners.
The businesses that provide complete technology solutions—including printing infrastructure—become more valuable and harder to replace than those offering only traditional IT services.
Getting Started with Wide Format Printer Sales
Starting your wide format printer sales program doesn’t require massive upfront investment or extensive training.
The key is maximizing your existing client relationships and technical expertise while partnering with experienced suppliers who can provide the specialized knowledge you need.
What Support Do You Need to Succeed?
Successful IT firms in this space rely on knowledgeable partners who can:
- Provide technical specifications and comparisons
- Offer competitive pricing and terms
- Handle complex client questions about printing workflows
- Support implementation and ongoing service needs
- Keep you updated on new technologies and security features
Add Wide Format Printers to Your IT Service Portfolio
The opportunity to boost your revenue while providing additional value to your AEC clients is significant, but success requires the right partnership and approach.
Let us help you build this lucrative service offering while strengthening your client relationships.
Call 800-491-8785 or reach out through our contact form to discuss how we can help you capitalize on the wide format printing opportunity in your market.
We’ll help you do all the legwork for your clients, positioning you as their complete technology solution provider while building a profitable new revenue stream for your business.