Lexmark 436 Unacceptable paper, Selecting paper, Moisture content, Grain direction, Fiber content

Paper and specialty media guide 58

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.

Store paper in its original wrapper in the same environment as the printer for 24 to 48 hours before printing. Extend the time to 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 60–90‑g/m2(16–24‑lb) bond paper, grain long paper is recommended.

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 can negatively affect paper handling.

Unacceptable paper

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

•Chemically treated papers used to make copies without carbon paper, also known as carbonless papers, carbonless copy paper (CCP), or no carbon required (NCR) paper

•Preprinted papers with chemicals that may contaminate the printer

•Preprinted papers that can be affected by the temperature in the printer fuser

•Preprinted papers that require a registration (the precise print location on the page) greater than ±2.3 mm (±0.9 in.), such as optical character recognition (OCR) forms

In some cases, registration can be adjusted with a software application to successfully print on these forms.

•Coated papers (erasable bond), synthetic papers, thermal papers

•Rough‑edged, rough or heavily textured surface papers, or curled papers

•Recycled papers that fail EN12281:2002 (European)

•Paper weighing less than 60 g/m2 (16 lb)

•Multiple‑part forms or documents

Selecting paper

Using the appropriate paper prevents jams and helps ensure trouble‑free printing.

To help avoid paper jams and poor print quality:

•Always use new, undamaged paper.

•Before loading paper, know the recommended printable side of the paper. This information is usually indicated on the paper package.

•Do not use paper that has been cut or trimmed by hand.