General information 1-7Selecting paperUsing appropriate paper prevents jams and helps ensure trouble-free printing. To help avoid jams and poor printquality:• Always use new, undamaged paper.• Before loading paper, know the recommended print side of the paper. This information is usually indicatedon the paper package.• Do not use paper that has been cut or trimmed by hand.• Do not mix paper sizes, types, or weights in the same source; mixing results in jams.• Do not use coated papers unless they are specifically designed for electrophotographic printing.Selecting preprinted forms and letterheadUse these guidelines when selecting preprinted forms and letterhead:• Use grain long for 60 to 176 g/m 2 weight paper.• Use only forms and letterhead printed using an offset lithographic or engraved printing process.• Avoid papers with rough or heavily textured surfaces.Use papers printed with heat-resistant inks designed for use in xerographic copiers. The ink must be able towithstand temperatures up to 200°C (392°F) without melting or releasing hazardous emissions. Use inks thatare not affected by the resin in toner. Inks that are oxidation-set or oil-based generally meet these requirements;latex inks might not. When in doubt, contact the paper supplier.Preprinted papers such as letterhead must be able to withstand temperatures up to 200°C (392°F) withoutmelting or releasing hazardous emissions.Storing paperUse these paper storage guidelines to help avoid jams and uneven print quality:• For best results, store paper where the temperature is 21°C (70°F) and the relative humidity is 40%. Mostlabel manufacturers recommend printing in a temperature range of 18 to 24°C (65 to 75°F) with relativehumidity between 40 and 60%.• Store paper in cartons when possible, on a pallet or shelf, rather than on the floor.• Store individual packages on a flat surface.• Do not store anything on top of individual paper packages.Using recycled paper and other office papers• Low moisture content (4–5%)• Suitable smoothness (100–200 Sheffield units, or 140–350 Bendtsen units, European)Note: Some much smoother papers (such as premium 24 lb laser papers, 50–90 Sheffield units) andmuch rougher papers (such as premium cotton papers, 200–300 Sheffield units) have been engineered towork very well in laser printers, despite surface texture. Before using these types of paper, consult yourpaper supplier.• Suitable sheet-to-sheet coefficient of friction (0.4–0.6)• Sufficient bending resistance in the direction of feedGenerally the following property guidelines apply to recycled paper.under normal printing conditions).guidelines may still cause paper feeding problems in any laser printer (for example, if the paper curls excessivelyconsult your paper supplier. Remember that these are general guidelines only and that paper meeting theserequired for reliable paper feeding. Before using these types of paper for laser (electrophotographic) printing,paper that is cut grain-short for portrait (or short-edge) fed printers may have lower bending resistance than is[16 lb bond]) and/or lower caliper (<3.8 mils [0.1 mm]), and2Recycled paper, paper of lower weight (<60 g/m
