Ricoh Aficio BP20N, User Manual

Page: 166 / 249

S
PECIFICATIONS
C. 7
C
Printer and Paper Storage Environment
Paper storage environment conditions directly affect the feed
operation.
Ideally, the printer and paper storage environment should be at
or near room temperature, and not too dry or humid. Remember
that paper is hygroscopic; it absorbs and loses moisture rapidly.
Heat works with humidity to damage paper. Heat causes the
moisture in paper to evaporate, while cold causes it to condense
on the sheets. Heating systems and air conditioners remove
most of the humidity from a room. As paper is opened and used,
it loses moisture, causing streaks and smudging. Humid
weather or water coolers can cause the humidity to increase in
a room. As paper is opened and used it absorbs any excess
moisture, causing light print and dropouts. Also, as paper loses
and gains moisture it can become distorted. This can cause
paper jams.
Care should be taken not to purchase more paper than can be
used in a short time (about 3 months). Paper stored for long
periods may experience heat and moisture extremes, which can
cause damage. Planning is important to prevent damage to
large supplies of paper.
Unopened paper in sealed reams can remain stable for several
months before use. Opened packages of paper have more
potential for environment damage, especially if they are not
wrapped with a moisture-proof barrier.
The paper storage environment should be properly maintained
to ensure optimum printer performance. The optimum condition
is 20° to 24°C (68° to 75°F), with a relative humidity of 45% to
55%. The following guidelines should be considered when
evaluating the paper’s storage environment:
• Paper should be stored at or near room temperature.
• The air should not be too dry or too humid.
• The best way to store an opened ream of paper is to rewrap it
tightly in its moisture-proof wrapping. If the printer
environment is subject to extremes, unwrap only the amount
of paper to be used during the day’s operation to prevent
unwanted moisture changes.