Print Media Guidelines
Print media is paper, transparencies, labels, envelopes, coated paper among others. Your multifunction printer
provides high-quality printing on a variety of print media. Selecting the appropriate print media for your
multifunction printer helps avoid printing troubles. This section describes how to select print media, how to
care for print media, and how to load the print media in the standard 250-sheet tray or optional 550-sheet
paper feeder.
Paper
Transparencies
Envelopes
Labels
Storing Print Media
Identifying Print Media Sources and Specifications

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, Dell recommends trying 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 Standard and Optional Trays" and "Loading the Multipurpose Feeder"
for detailed loading instructions.

Paper Characteristics

The following paper characteristics affect print quality and reliability. Dell recommends 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 60 lb bond) grain long. The
multipurpose 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) might not be stiff enough to 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 multifunction 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 multipurpose feeder.
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