Print Media Guidelines
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Print Media Guidelines
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 and caring for print media.
NOTE:
Use only laser print media. Do not use ink jet paper in your printer.
Paper
For the best print quality in color, use 75 g/m
2
(20 lb) xerographic, grain long paper. For the best print quality in
black and white, use 90 g/m
2
(24 lb) xerographic, grain long paper. It is recommended that you try a sample first
before buying large quantities of any print media.
When loading paper, identify the recommended print side on the paper package, and load the paper accordingly. See
"Loading Print Media in Tray1 and the Optional 550-Sheet Feeder" and "Loading Print Media in the MPF" 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 g/m
2
to 216 g/m
2
(16 lb to 57.6 lb bond) grain long. The
multipurpose feeder (MPF) automatically feeds paper weights from 60 g/m
2
to 216 g/m
2
(16 lb to 57.6 lb bond)
grain long. Paper lighter than 60 g/m
2
(16 lb) may not feed properly, and could cause paper jams. For best
performance, use 75 g/m
2
(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 MPF.
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 g/m
2
to 135 g/m
2
(16 lb to 36 lb bond) paper, grain
long fibers are recommended. For paper heavier than 135 g/m
2
(36 lb bond), grain short is preferred.
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