fuse to the paper properly, resulting in poor print quality. If the paper is too smooth, it can cause paper
feeding problems. Smoothness needs to be between 100 and 300 Sheffield points; however, smoothness
between 150 and 250 Sheffield points produces the best print quality.
Moisture content
The amount of moisture in the paper affects both print quality and the ability of the printer to feed the paper
properly. Leave the paper in its original wrapper until you are ready to use it. This limits the exposure of the
paper to moisture changes that can degrade its performance.
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 to 135 g/m
2
(16 to 36 lb bond) paper, grain long fibers are recommended. For papers heavier than
135 g/m
2
(36 lb bond), grain short is preferred. For the multipurpose feeder, 60 to 135 g/m
2
(16 to 36 lb
bond) paper, grain long fibers are recommended. For the multipurpose feeder, papers heavier than 135
g/m
2
(36 lb bond), grain short is preferred.
Fiber content
Most high-quality xerographic paper is made from 100% chemically 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 possess characteristics that can result in degraded paper handling.
Recommended paper
To ensure the best print quality and feed reliability, use 75 g/m
2
(20 lb) xerographic paper. Business papers
designed for general business use may also provide acceptable print quality.
Always print several samples before buying large quantities of any type of print media. When choosing any
print media, consider the weight, fiber content, and color.
The laser printing process heats paper to high temperatures of 225°C (437°F) for Magnetic Ink Character
Recognition (MICR) applications, and 205°C (401°F) for non-MICR applications. Use only paper able to
withstand these temperatures without discoloring, bleeding, or releasing hazardous emissions. Check with
the manufacturer or vendor to determine whether the paper you have chosen is acceptable for laser printers.
Unacceptable paper
The following papers 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
