I

If you frequentlychangepaperweights,you will probablyget skewing problems—lines that print at an anglebecauseof misfeeding.For best results,whenyourStarLaserPrinter4is firstsetup havethepaperfeeder “squared”for paperof at least 60 grams.Lighterpaper,thoughcheaper, isn’t reallythe way to economize.

Wantto printon yourown preprintedletterhead?Fine—so long as your logo’isn’t thermographed.Thick coloredink may look luxurious,but it can also windup stuckalloveryourprinter’sroller.Stayawayfrom any inksthatsoftenat relativelylowtemperatures;yourprinterfusespagesat 200° c.

Thiswarningappliesto coloredpapertoo,if it hasbeentintedwitha low- temperaturedye.

Whenprintingstartsfadingbecausethetoneris low,removethecartridge andgentlymck it backandforthhalfa dozentimes.Don’ttip it up or the tonermayspillout.Redistributingthetonerpowderthiswaycankeepthe cartridgegoing for anothertray of paper.

No question,workingwith singlelabel sheetsis more convenientthan withcontinuouslabelstock.Laserprintersare fasterandproducebetter- looking labels than other printers. But laser printers, which work by electrostatic photography rather than impact pressure, put different stressesonlabelpaper.Eachsheethasto bendoverandthroughtheguide rollers; moreover, fusing toner to the paper involves heat. You can eliminatetroubleby alwaysfeedinglabel sheetsmanually.

Both Avery’s “Lasergraphic”labels and Canon’slabels seem to work fine. Yourmain concernis thatthe labelscompletelycoverthe backing sheetso it showsonly at the outsidemargins.Thatway individuallabels can’t easilypeel off.

Thesafestapproachistolaser-printsharpmastercopiesonpaperandthen photocopythoselists onto labels.This will avoidputtingyourprinter’s adjustmentfor paperthicknessout of adjustment.

If you want to print transparenciesfor your overheadprojector,some films will actuallymelt in your laser printer. Stick to 3M’s medium- weighttransparencyfilm (type501) or to Hewlett-Packard’s#92285J.

22

Page 28
Image 28
Star Micronics 4 manual