Dell Colour Laser Printer 3110cn, Service Manual, Page: 29 / 621

1 ‑ 8
Chapter 1 Troubleshooting
Version 1 2006.02.25
Weight
The tray automatically feeds paper weights from 60 to 216 g/m2 (16 to 57.6 lb. bond) grain long. The
multipurpose feeder automatically feeds paper weights from 60 to 216 g/m2 (16 to 56 lb. bond) grain
long. Paper lighter than 60 g/m2 (16 lb.) might not be stiff enough to feed properly, and could cause
paper jams. For best performance, use 75 g/m2 (20 lb. bond) grain long paper.
Curl
Curl is the tendency of print media to curve at its edges. Excessive curl can cause paper feeding prob-
lems. Curl usually occurs after the paper passes through the printer, where it is exposed to high tem-
peratures. Storing paper unwrapped in humid conditions, even in the paper tray, can contribute to
paper curling prior to printing and cause feeding problems.
Smoothness
The degree of paper smoothness directly affects print quality. If the paper is too rough, the toner does
not fuse to the paper properly, resulting in poor print quality. If the paper is too smooth, it can cause
paper feeding problems. 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 packaging 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/m2 (16 to 36 lb.
bond) paper, grain long fibers are recommended. For papers heavier than 135 g/m2 (36 lb. bond), grain
short is preferred.
Fiber Content
Most high-quality xerographic paper is made from 100% chemically pulped wood. 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/m2 (20 lb.) xerographic paper. Business
papers designed for general business use also provide acceptable print quality.
Always print several samples before buying large quantities of any type of print media. When choosing
any print media, you should consider the weight, fiber content, and color.
The laser printing process heats paper to high temperatures of 225°C (437°F) for Magnetic Ink Charac-
ter Recognition (MICR) applications, and 205°C (401°F) for non-MICR applications. Only use 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 paper types are not recommended for use with the printer:
1) 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
2) Preprinted papers with chemicals that may contaminate the printer
3) Preprinted papers that can be affected by the temperature in the printer fuser