Chapter 2 Paper Selection
2-5
The basic rule for printing on adhesive labels is that the
adhesive must never come into contact with any part of the
printer. Adhesive paper sticking to the drum or rollers will
damage the printer.
Label paper must be manually fed.
Label paper has a structure comprised of three layers, as
shown in the figure below. The top sheet is printed on. The
adhesive layer consists of pressure-sensitive adhesives. The
carrier sheet (also called the linear or backing sheet) holds
the labels until use. Due to the complexity of its composition,
adhesive-backed label paper is particularly likely to give
trouble in printing.
Adhesive label paper must be entirely covered by its top
sheet, with no spaces between the individual labels. Labels
with spaces in between are apt to peel off, causing serious
paper jam problems.
Some label paper is manufactured with an extra margin of
top sheet around the edge. Do not remove the extra top sheet
from the carrier sheet until after printing is finished.
The table below lists the specifications for adhesive label
paper.
Envelopes
The printer can print on envelopes using paper with a basis
weight of 70 to 100 g/m
2
(19 to 27 lb/ream). Envelopes must
be manually fed.
An envelope is a more complex object than a single sheet of
paper. For this reason, it may not be possible to obtain
consistent print quality over the entire envelope surface.
Many envelopes have a diagonal grain orientation (See
). This orientation is more likely to wrinkle
and crease on its way through the printer. Before purchasing
envelopes for use with the printer, test a sample to verify the
envelope’s suitability.
Do not use envelopes that have an encapsulated liquid
adhesive.
Avoid long printing runs consisting of envelopes only.
Extensive envelope printing can cause premature printer
wear.
To avoid jamming due to curled envelopes, do not leave more
than approximately 10 printed envelopes stacked in the paper
trays during multiple envelope printing.
Colored Paper
Colored paper should satisfy the same conditions as white
bond paper, listed in
Paper Specifications on page 2-1
. In
addition, the pigments used in the paper must be able to
withstand the heat of fusing during the printing process (up
to 200 °C or 392 °F).
Preprinted Paper
Preprinted paper should have a bond paper base and meet the
specifications listed in the table on
. The preprinted
ink must be able to withstand the heat of fusing during the
printing process, and must not be affected by silicone oil.
Do not use paper with any kind of surface treatment, such as
the type of paper commonly used for calendars.
Recycled Paper
Select recycled paper that meets the same specifications as
the white bond paper (see
Paper Specifications on page 2-1
)
except whiteness.
Before purchasing recycled paper, test a sample on the printer
and check that the print quality is satisfactory.
Adhesive-Backed Labels
Item
Specification
Weight of top sheet
44 to 74 g/m
2
(12 to 20 lb/ream)
Composite weight
104 to 151 g/m
2
(28 to 40 lb/ream)
Thickness of top sheet
0.086 to 0.107 mm (3.9 to 4.2
mils)
Composite thickness
0.115 to 0.145 mm (4.5 to 5.7
mils)
Moisture content
4 to 6 % (composite)
Top sheet (White
bond paper)
Adhesive
Carrier sheet
Acceptable
Unacceptable
Top
sheet
Carrier
sheet
NOTE
NOTE
