![background image](/i/dell/157685/dell-5330dn/h/dell-5330dn-070.png)
Paper Handling
Print Media Guidelines
Print media is paper, card stock, transparencies, labels, and envelopes. Your printer provides high quality printing on a variety of print media. Selecting the
appropriate print media for your printer helps avoid printing problems. This chapter provides information on how to make print media selections, how to care
for the print media, and how to load them in the
Standard Tray
,
Optional Trays
or
Multi-purpose Feeder
and
High Capacity Feeder
.
Paper
For the best print quality, use 75 g/m
2
(20 lb) xerographic, long grain paper. Try a sample of any paper you are considering using with the printer before
buying large quantities.
"Loading Print Media in the Paper Tray"
"Using the Multi-purpose Feeder"
for detailed loading instructions.
Paper Characteristics
The following paper characteristics affect print quality and reliability. We recommend that you follow these guidelines when evaluating new paper stock:
Weight
The printer can automatically feed paper weights from 60 to 120 g/m
2
(16 to 32 lb bond) long grain in the paper tray. Paper lighter than 60 g/m
2
(16 lb) may
not be substantial enough to feed properly, causing jams. For best performance, use 75 g/m
2
(20 lb bond) long grain paper.
For duplex printing, use 60 to 120 g/m
2
(16 to 32 lb bond) 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 in humid conditions, even in the paper tray, can contribute to paper curling
prior to printing and can cause feeding problems.
Smoothness
The degree of smoothness of paper directly affects print quality.
If the paper is too rough,
the toner does not fuse to the paper properly, resulting in poor print
quality.
If the paper is too smooth,
it can cause paper feeding problems. Smoothness should be between 100 and 300 Sheffield points; however, smoothness
between 150 and 250 Sheffield points produces the best print quality.
Moisture Content
The amount of moisture in the paper affects both print quality and the ability of the printer to feed the paper properly. Leave the paper in its original wrapper
until you are ready to use it. This limits the exposure of the paper to moisture changes that can degrade its performance.
Grain Direction
Identifying Print Media Sources and Specifications
Loading Print Media in the Paper Tray
Using the Multi-purpose Feeder
Using the High Capacity Feeder
For Standard, Optional 500 Sheet Tray and HCF Setting Paper Size