Lexmark X502N, X500n Paper and specialty media guide, Paper guidelines, Paper characteristics

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Paper and specialty media guide

Paper guidelines

When printing on specialty media, use the printer control panel to set the correct Paper Type.

Paper characteristics

The following paper characteristics affect print quality and reliability. Consider these characteristics when evaluating new paper stock.

Weight

The printer can automatically feed paper weights from 60 to 176 g/m2 (16 to 47 lb bond) grain long. Paper lighter than 60 g/m2 (16 lb) might not be stiff enough to feed properly, causing jams. For best performance, use 90 g/m2 (24 lb bond) grain long paper. For paper smaller than 182 x 257 mm (7.2 x 10.1 in.), we recommend 90 g/m2 or heavier paper.

Curl

Curl is the tendency for paper to curl at its edges. Excessive curl can cause paper feeding problems. Curl can occur after the paper passes through the printer, where it is exposed to high temperatures. Storing paper unwrapped in hot, humid, cold, or dry conditions, even in the trays, can contribute to paper curling prior to printing and can cause feeding problems.

Smoothness

Paper smoothness directly affects print quality. If paper is too rough, toner cannot fuse to it properly. If paper is too smooth, it can cause paper feeding or print quality issues. Always use paper between 100 and 300 Sheffield points; however, smoothness between 150 and 200 Sheffield points produces the best print quality.

Moisture content

The amount of moisture in paper affects both print quality and the ability of the printer to feed the paper correctly. Leave paper in its original wrapper until it is time to use it. This limits the exposure of paper to moisture changes that can degrade its performance.

Condition paper before printing by storing it in its original wrapper in the same environment as the printer for 24 to 48 hours before printing. Extend the time several days if the storage or transportation environment is very different from the printer environment. Thick paper may also require a longer conditioning period.

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 90 g/m2 (16 to 24 lb bond) paper, use grain long fibers.

Fiber content

Most high-quality xerographic paper is made from 100% chemically treated pulped wood. This content provides the paper with a high degree of stability resulting in fewer paper feeding problems and better print quality. Paper containing fibers such as cotton possesses characteristics that can negatively affect paper handling.

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Contents Users Guide X500n, X502nPage Contents Printing CopyingScanning Clearing jams FaxingMaintaining the printer Administrative supportUnderstanding printer menus Understanding printer messages117 Troubleshooting137 Safety information Configured models Learning about the printerBasic model Page Fully configured model Control panel item Description Understanding the control panelControl panel item Description Control panel item Description Country/region Using an RJ11 adapterGetting the printer ready to fax Choosing a fax connectionPage Country/region Connecting directly to a telephone wall jack Connecting directly to a telephone wall jack in Germany Connecting to a telephone Connecting to an answering machine Page Connecting to a computer with a modem Setting the date Setting the outgoing fax name and numberSetting the time Installing a 530-sheet drawer Installing optionsSecuring the 530-sheet drawer to the printer Attaching cables Ethernet port USB symbol USB port Loading trays Loading paper and specialty mediaPage Page Converting the standard tray to a legal-size tray Page Page Setting up the standard exit bin Setting the Paper TypeLinking trays Paper characteristics Paper and specialty media guidePaper guidelines Selecting preprinted forms and letterhead Using letterheadUnacceptable paper Selecting paperUsing envelopes Using transparenciesUsing labels Storing paper Using card stockSupported paper sizes Supported paper sizes, types, and weightsSupported paper types Paper capacities Supported paper weightsPage Printing a document from Windows Installing printer softwarePrinting the configuration PrintingPrinting the demo Canceling a print jobClick the trash icon Selecting a paper tray for copies Customizing copy settingsCopying Making a copyReducing or enlarging copies Selecting a paper size for copiesAdjusting copy quality Copying multiple pages onto a single sheetMaking a copy lighter or darker Canceling a copy job Collating copiesCollated Not collated Scanning Scanning a document using the computerCustomizing scan settings using the computer Scanning documents directly to other applicationsScanning text for editing General tab Scanning clear images from magazines or newspapers Scanning to a computer over the networkSelect Moire Reduction Searching the scan directory Setting up the scan directoryCanceling a scan job Customizing scan settings from the control panelMaking a scanned image lighter or darker Sending a fax using the ADF FaxingSending a fax Sending a fax using the scanner glass Canceling a broadcast faxSending a broadcast fax Canceling a fax job Sending a fax while listening to a call On Hook DialSending a fax at the end of a conversation Receiving a fax at the end of a conversation Setting the fax receive modeReceiving a fax Understanding the fax receive modesReceiving a fax from an extension telephone Adjusting fax activity report settingsSetting up Quick Dial numbers Printing fax activity reportsSetting up Speed Dial numbers Printing the Quick Dial listPrinting the Speed Dial list Understanding the dialing options Customizing dial settingsSetting the dialing mode Adjusting the volumeSetting up to fax while behind a PBX Customizing fax settings Changing the fax resolutionMaking a fax lighter or darker Setting up real time fax transmission Selecting a paper tray for incoming faxesReducing the print size of an incoming fax Clearing jams Avoiding jamsUnderstanding jam messages and locations Optional 530-sheet tray Tray ADF doorRear door top Rear door bottomClearing Tray 1 jams Page Clearing Tray 2 jams Clearing jams behind the rear door Paper Jam B Paper Jam C Paper jam in the ADFPage Page Close the ADF cover Press Menus list Copy Settings menuScan Settings Fax Settings Fax Directory Admin Settings Understanding printer menusReduce/Enlarge SortQuality DensityScan Settings menu Fax Settings menu TX SettingsLimitation of size of mail RX Settings Tray SettingsDelete Document Quick Dial Entry Comm SettingsReport Settings Fax Directory menuSpeed Dial Entry Machine Settings menuSpeaker Volume Paper SettingsToner Saver Mode Job TimeoutScanner Carriage Supplies InfoReports Print menu Network Settings menuAdmin Settings menu Auto Clear PBX Access DigitDefault Mode Power SaverAdmin Menu Lock Setting DefaultUnderstanding printer messages List of status and error messagesCover Open Close OPC Cover Missing Install Fuser Unit Place Next Page Then Press Set Sleep Storing supplies Cleaning the printerCleaning the exterior of the printer Maintaining the printer100 Cleaning the scanner glass101 Cleaning the dust-proof glass102 103 104 105 Ordering supplies Ordering toner cartridges106 Ordering a waste toner bottle Moving the printerOrdering a fuser Ordering a photodeveloper cartridge108 Locking the scanner109 Removing the printer from the 530-sheet drawer110 111 Setting the printer up in a new location Moving the printer to another location112 113 Adjusting Power Saver Administrative supportLocking the administrator menus Changing the administrator menus passwordRestoring factory default settings Setting the Default mode115 Using the Embedded Web Server Turning on Auto Clear116 Control panel display is blank TroubleshootingSolving printing problems Online customer support Checking an unresponsive printerJob takes longer than expected to print Tray linking does not workUnexpected page breaks occur Poor copy quality Solving copy problemsCopier does not respond Scanner unit does not closePartial document or photo copies Scanning takes too long or freezes the computer Solving scan problemsScanner does not respond Scan was not successfulCannot send or receive a fax Solving fax problemsPartial document or photo scans Cannot scan from a computerCheck the printer connections Review this digital phone service checklistTemporarily disable Call Waiting Do you have Voice Mail service?Can send but not receive faxes Received fax has poor print quality Can receive but not send faxesDrawers Solving option problemsPaper jam message remains after jam is cleared Solving paper feed problemsSolving print quality problems Paper frequently jamsColor misregistration Light colored line, white line, or incorrectly colored lineSmeared vertical print Streaked vertical lines Streaked horizontal linesPrint irregularities Make sure the Color Adjustment settings are not too lightCheck the Media Type setting Print is too lightPrint is too dark Transparency print quality is poorGray background Skewed print Uneven print densityGhost images Incorrect margins133 Blank pagesClipped images Is the toner cartridge defective or empty?Solid color pages Paper curlToner specks 135 FAQ about color printingWhat is RGB color? Toner rubs off136 Contacting Customer Support137 Edition notice138 Industry Canada compliance statement139 European Community EC directives conformity140 Noise emission levels141 142 New Zealand Telecom equipment notice143 Power consumption144 Off mode145 Extent of limited warranty146 SymbolsIndex Numerics147 148 149 150
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