• Do not mix paper sizes, types, or weights in the same tray; mixing results in jams.
• Do not use coated papers unless they are specifically designed for electrophotographic printing.
Selecting preprinted forms and letterhead
Use these guidelines when selecting preprinted forms and letterhead:
• Use grain long for 60–90‑g/m
2
(16–24‑lb) paper.
• Use only forms and letterhead printed using an oset lithographic or engraved printing process.
• Avoid paper with rough or heavily textured surfaces.
Use inks that are not aected 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 your paper supplier.
Using recycled paper and other
oce
papers
As an environmentally conscious company, Lexmark supports the use of recycled oce paper produced
specifically for use in laser (electrophotographic) printers. In 1998, Lexmark presented to the US government
a study demonstrating that recycled paper produced by major mills in the US fed as well as non-recycled paper.
However, no blanket statement can be made that all recycled paper will feed well.
Lexmark consistently tests its printers with recycled paper (20–100% post-consumer waste) and a variety of
test paper from around the world, using chamber tests for dierent temperature and humidity conditions.
Lexmark has found no reason to discourage the use of today's recycled oce papers, but generally the following
property guidelines apply to recycled paper.
• Low moisture content (4–5%)
• Suitable smoothness (100–200 Sheeld units, or 140–350 Bendtsen units, European)
Note: Some much smoother papers (such as premium 24 lb laser papers, 50–90
Sheeld
units) and
much rougher papers (such as premium cotton papers, 200–300
Sheeld
units) have been engineered
to work very well in laser printers, despite surface texture. Before using these types of paper, consult your
paper supplier.
• Suitable sheet-to-sheet
coecient
of friction (0.4–0.6)
•
Sucient
bending resistance in the direction of feed
Recycled paper, paper of lower weight (<60 g/m
2
[16 lb bond]) and/or lower caliper (<3.8 mils [0.1 mm]), and
paper that is cut grain-short for portrait (or short-edge) fed printers may have lower bending resistance than is
required for reliable paper feeding. Before using these types of paper for laser (electrophotographic) printing,
consult your paper supplier. Remember that these are general guidelines only and that paper meeting these
guidelines may still cause paper feeding problems in any laser printer (for example, if the paper curls excessively
under normal printing conditions).
Storing paper
Use 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 percent.
Most label manufacturers recommend printing in a temperature range of 18–24°C (65–75°F) with relative
humidity between 40 and 60 percent.
• Store paper in cartons, on a pallet or shelf, rather than on the floor.
Paper and specialty media guide 45