Paper and specialty media guidelines

Paper guidelines

Paper characteristics

The following paper characteristics affect print quality and reliability. Consid er these characteristics when evaluating
new paper stock.
Weight
The printer can automatically feed paper weights from 60 to 220 g/m2 (16 to 58 lb bond) grain long. Paper lighter th an
60 g/m2 (16 lb) might not be stiff enough to feed properly, c ausing jams. For best performance, use 75‑g/m2 (20‑lb
bond) grain long paper. For paper smaller than 182 x 257 mm (7 x 10 in.), we recommend 90 g/m2 (24 lb) or heavier
paper.
Note: Duplex is supported only for 60‑g/m2–120‑g/m2 (16‑lb–32‑lb bond) paper.
Curl
Curl is the tendency for paper to curl at it s edges. Excessive curl can cause p aper feeding problems. Curl can oc cur after
the paper passes through the printer, where it is exposed to high temperatures. Storin g paper unwrapped in hot, humid,
cold, or dry conditions, even in the trays, can contribute to paper cur ling prior to printing and can cause feeding
problems.
Smoothness
Paper smoothness directly affects print quality. If paper i s too rough, toner cannot fuse to it properly. If paper is too
smooth, it can cause paper feeding or print quality issues. A lways 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 abil ity 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 wra pper 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 differ ent
from the printer environment. Thick paper may also requi re a longer conditioning period.
Grain direction
Grain refers to the alignment of the paper fibers in a sheet of paper. G rain is either grain long, running the length of
the paper, or grain short, running the width of the paper.
For 60‑ to 135‑g/m2 (16‑ to 36‑lb bond) paper, grain long paper is recommended. For papers heavier than 135 g/m2,
grain short is recommended.
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