Print Media Guidelines; Paper Characteristics; Moisture Content - Dell 5100cn Color Laser Printer User Manual

Print Media Guidelines

Print media is paper, transparencies, labels, envelopes, coated paper among others. Your printer provides high-quality
printing on a variety of print media. Selecting the appropriate print media for your printer helps avoid printing troubles.
This section describes how to select print media, how to care for print media, and how to load the print media in the
standard 500-sheet tray, optional 500-sheet tray module, or 1000-sheet tray module.
Paper
Transparencies
Envelopes
Labels
Storing Print Media
Identifying Print Media Sources and Specifications
Paper
For the best print quality in color, use 75 g/m
2
and white, use 90 g/m
recommends trying a sample first.
When loading paper, identify the recommended print side on the paper package, and load the paper accordingly. See
"Loading Print Media in Standard and Optional
instructions.

Paper Characteristics

The following paper characteristics affect print quality and reliability. Dell recommends that you follow these guidelines
when evaluating new paper stock.
Weight
The tray automatically feeds paper weights from 60 to 163 g/m
automatically feeds paper weights from 60 to 216 g/m
might not be stiff enough to feed properly, and could cause paper jams. For best performance, use 75 g/m
grain long paper.
Curl
Curl is the tendency of print media to curve at its edges. Excessive curl can cause paper feeding problems. Curl usually
occurs after the paper passes through the printer, where it is exposed to high temperatures. 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.
2
(20 lb) xerographic, grain long paper. For the best print quality in black
(24 lb) xerographic, grain long paper. Before buying large quantities of any print media, Dell
Trays" and "Loading the Multipurpose
2
(16 to 60 lb bond) grain long. The multipurpose feeder
2
(16 to 80 lb bond) grain long. Paper lighter than 60 g/m
Feeder" for detailed loading
2
(20 lb bond)
2
(16 lb)