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Print Media Guidelines

  Paper

  Envelopes

  Labels

  Storing Print Media

  Identifying Print Media Sources and Specifications

Print media refers to paper, labels, envelopes, and coated paper among others. Your printer provides high-quality printing on a variety of print media. Selecting the appropriate print media for your printer helps avoid printing troubles. This section describes selecting print media, caring for print media, and loading the print media in the tray 1.

Paper

For the best print quality in color, use 75 g/m² (20 lb) xerographic, grain long paper. For the best print quality in black and white, use 90 g/m² (24 lb) xerographic, grain long paper. Before buying large quantities of any print media, it is recommended to try a sample first.

When loading paper, identify the recommended print side on the paper package, and load the paper accordingly. See "Loading Print Media in the Tray 1" and "Loading the Single Sheet Feeder" for detailed loading instructions.

Paper Characteristics

The following paper characteristics affect print quality and reliability. It is recommended that you follow these guidelines when evaluating new paper stock.

Weight

The tray automatically feeds paper weights from 60 to 216 g/m² (16 to 80 lb bond) grain long. The single sheet feeder automatically feeds paper weights from 60 to 216 g/m² (16 to 80 lb bond) grain long. Paper lighter than 60 g/m² (16 lb) may not feed properly, and could cause paper jams. For best performance, use 75 g/m² (20 lb bond) grain long paper.

Curl

Curl is the tendency of print media to curve at its edges. Excessive curl can cause paper feeding problems. Curl usually occurs after the paper passes through the printer, where it is exposed to high temperatures. Storing paper unwrapped, even in the paper tray, can contribute to paper curling prior to printing and cause feeding problems regardless of humidity. When printing on curled paper, straighten the paper and then insert it into the single sheet feeder.

Smoothness

The degree of paper smoothness directly affects the print quality. If the paper is too rough, the toner does not fuse on to the paper properly, resulting in poor print quality. If the paper is too smooth, it can cause paper feeding problems. Smoothness between 150 and 250 Sheffield points produces the best print quality.

Moisture Content

The amount of moisture in the paper affects both the print quality and the ability of the printer to feed the paper properly. Leave the paper in its original packaging until you are ready to use it. This limits the exposure of the paper to moisture changes that can degrade its performance.

Grain Direction

Grain refers to the alignment of the paper fibers in a sheet of paper. Grain is either grain long, running the length of the paper, or grain short, running the width of the paper. For 60 to 135 g/m² (16 to 36 lb bond) paper, grain long fibers are recommended. For paper heavier than 135 g/m² (36 lb bond), grain short is preferred.

Fiber Content

Most high-quality xerographic paper is made from 100% chemically pulped wood. Paper containing fibers such as cotton may lead to degraded paper handling.

Recommended Paper

To ensure the best print quality and feed reliability, use 75 g/m² (20 lb) xerographic paper. Business paper designed for general business use also provides acceptable print quality. Only use paper able to withstand high temperatures without discoloring, bleeding, or releasing hazardous emissions. The laser printing process heats paper to high temperatures. Check with the manufacturer or vendor to determine whether the paper you have chosen is acceptable for laser printers.

Always print several samples before buying large quantities of any type of print media. When choosing any print media, you should consider the weight, fiber content, and color.

Unacceptable Paper

The following paper types are not recommended for use with the printer:

• Chemically treated paper used to make copies without carbon paper, also known as carbonless paper, carbonless copy paper (CCP), or no carbon required (NCR) paper.
  
  
• Preprinted paper with chemicals that may contaminate the printer.
  
  
• Preprinted paper that can be affected by the temperature in the fuser.
  
  
• Preprinted paper that requires a registration (the precise print location on the page) greater than ±0.09 inches, such as optical character recognition (OCR) forms.
  
  

In some cases, you can adjust registration with your software program to successfully print on these forms.

• Coated paper (erasable bond), synthetic paper, and thermal paper.
  
  
• Rough-edged, rough or heavily textured surface paper, or curled paper.
  
  
• Recycled paper containing more than 25% post-consumer waste that does not meet DIN 19 309.
  
  
• Multiple-part forms or documents.
  
  
• Print quality may deteriorate (blank spaces or blotches may appear in the text) when printing on talc or acid paper.
  
  

Selecting Paper

Proper paper selection helps prevent jams and ensures trouble-free printing.

To help avoid jams or poor print quality:

• Always use new, undamaged paper.
  
  
• Before loading the paper, identify the recommended print side of the paper. This information is usually indicated on the paper package.
  
  
• Do not use paper that you have cut or trimmed.
  
  
• Do not mix print media sizes, weights, or types in the same source. This may result in a paper jam.
  
  
• Do not remove the tray while a job is printing.
  
  
• Ensure that the paper is properly loaded in the tray.
  
  
• Flex the paper back and forth, and then fan them. Straighten the edges of the stack on a level surface.
  
  

Selecting Preprinted Forms and Letterheads

When selecting preprinted forms and letterhead paper for the printer:

• Use grain long paper for best results.
  
  
• Use only forms and letterheads printed using an offset lithographic or engraved printing process.
  
  
• Select paper that absorb ink, but does not bleed.
  
  
• Avoid paper with rough or heavily textured surfaces.
  
  
• Use paper printed with heat-resistant inks designed for use in xerographic copiers. The ink must withstand temperatures of 225°C (437°F) without melting or releasing hazardous emissions.
  
  
• Use inks that are not affected by the resin in the toner or the silicone in the fuser. Inks that are oxidation-set or oil-based should meet these requirements; latex inks might not. If you are in doubt, contact your paper supplier.
  
  

Printing on a Letterhead

Check with the manufacturer or vendor to determine whether the pre-printed letterhead that you have selected is acceptable for laser printers.

Page orientation is important when printing on letterhead. Use the following table for help when loading letterheads in the print media sources.

Print media source	Print side	Page orientation
Tray 1	Face up	Letterhead enters the printer last
Single sheet feeder	Face down	Letterhead enters the printer first

Selecting Pre-Punched Paper

Pre-punched paper brands can differ in the number and placement of holes and in manufacturing techniques. However, it may or may not be possible to print on the paper depending on the placement of holes on the paper.

To select and use pre-punched paper:

• Test paper from several manufacturers before ordering and using large quantities of pre-punched paper.
  
  
• Paper should be punched at the paper manufacturer and not drilled into paper already packaged in a ream. Drilled paper can cause jams when multiple sheets feed through the printer. This may result in a paper jam.
  
  
• Pre-punched paper can include more paper dust than standard paper. Your printer may require more frequent cleaning and feed reliability may not be as good as standard paper.
  
  
• Weight guidelines for pre-punched paper are the same as non-punched paper.
  
  

Envelopes

Depending on the choice of envelopes, it is possible to expect variable levels of wrinkling. Before buying large quantities of any print media, it is recommended to try a sample first. See "Loading Print Media in the Tray 1" or "Loading the Single Sheet Feeder" for instructions on loading an envelope.

When printing on envelopes:

• Use only high-quality envelopes that are designed for use in laser printers.
  
  
• Set the print media source to the single sheet feeder or the tray 1. Set the paper type to Envelope, and select the correct size of envelope from the printer driver.
  
  
• For best performance, use envelopes made from 75 g/m² (20 lb bond) paper. You can use up to 105 g/m² (28 lb bond) weight for the envelope feeder as long as the cotton content is 25% or less. Envelopes with 100% cotton content must not exceed 90 g/m² (24 lb bond) weight.
  
  
• Use only freshly unpackaged, undamaged envelopes.
  
  
• Use envelopes that can withstand temperatures of 205°C (401°F) without sealing, excessive curling, wrinkling, or releasing hazardous emissions. If you have any doubts about the envelopes you are considering, check with the envelope supplier.
  
  
• Adjust the guide to fit the width of the envelopes.
  
  
• To load an envelope into the single sheet feeder, insert the envelope with the flaps closed and the short-edge of the envelope facing into the printer. The print side must be facing down.
  
  
• See "Loading Print Media in the Tray 1" or "Loading the Single Sheet Feeder" for instructions on loading an envelope.
  
  
• Use one envelope size during a print job.
  
  
• Ensure that the humidity is low because high humidity (more than 60%) and the high printing temperatures may seal the envelopes.
  
  
• For best performance, do not use envelopes that:
  
  
• Have excessive curl or twist
  
  
• Are stuck together or damaged in any way
  
  
• Contain windows, holes, perforations, cutouts, or embossing
  
  
• Use metal clasps, string ties, or metal folding bars
  
  
• Have an interlocking design
  
  
• Have postage stamps attached
  
  
• Have any exposed adhesive when the flap is in the sealed or closed position
  
  
• Have nicked edges or bent corners
  
  
• Have rough, cockle, or laid finishes
  
  

Labels

Your printer can print on many labels designed for use with laser printers. Label adhesives, face sheet (printable stock), and topcoats must be able to withstand temperatures of 205°C (401°F) and pressure of 25 pounds per square inch (psi). Before buying large quantities of any print media, it is recommended to try a sample first.

When printing on labels:

• Set the paper type to Label from the printer driver.
  
  
• Do not load labels together with paper in the same tray. This may result in a paper jam.
  
  
• Do not use label sheets with a slick backing material.
  
  
• Do not print within 1 mm (0.04 inches) of the die cut.
  
  
• Use full label sheets. Partial sheets may cause labels to peel off during printing, resulting in a jam. Partial sheets also contaminate your printer and your cartridge with adhesive, and could void your printer and cartridge warranties.
  
  
• Use labels that can withstand temperatures of 205°C (401°F) without sealing, excessive curling, wrinkling, or releasing hazardous emissions.
  
  
• Do not print within 1 mm (0.04 inches) of the edge of the label, of the perforations, or between die-cuts of the label.
  
  
• Do not use label sheets that have adhesive right up to the edge of the sheet. It is recommended that the zone coating of the adhesive to be at least 1 mm (0.04 inches) away from edges. Adhesive material contaminates your printer and could void your warranty.
  
  
• If zone coating of the adhesive is not possible, a 3 mm (0.125 inches) strip should be removed on the leading and driver edge, and a non-oozing adhesive should be used.
  
  
• Remove a 3 mm (0.125 inches) strip from the leading edge to prevent labels from peeling inside the printer.
  
  
• Portrait orientation is preferred, especially when printing bar codes.
  
  
• Do not use labels that have exposed adhesive.
  
  

Storing Print Media

For proper print media storage, the following guidelines will help to avoid media feeding problems and uneven print quality.

• For best results, store print media in an environment where the temperature is approximately 21°C (70°F) and the relative humidity is 40%.
  
  
• Store cartons of print media on a pallet or shelf, rather than directly on the floor.
  
  
• If you store individual packages of print media out of the original carton, ensure that they rest on a flat surface so that the edges do not buckle or curl.
  
  
• Do not place anything on top of the print media packages.
  
  

Identifying Print Media Sources and Specifications

The following tables provide information on standard and optional print media sources.

Supported Paper Sizes

Supported Paper Types

Paper Type Specifications

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