Paper And Specialty Media Guide; Paper Guidelines - Lexmark MS312 User Manual

Paper and specialty media guide

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Paper and specialty media guide

Paper guidelines

Paper characteristics
The following paper characteristics affect print quality and reliability. Consider these characteristics when
evaluating new paper stock.
Weight
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The printer trays can automatically feed paper weights up to 90‑g/m (24‑lb) bond grain long paper. The
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multipurpose feeder can automatically feed paper weights up to 163‑g/m (43‑lb) bond grain long paper. Paper
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lighter than 60 g/m (16 lb) might not be stiff enough to feed properly, causing jams. For best performance, use
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75‑g/m (20‑lb) bond grain long paper. For paper smaller than 182 x 257 mm (7.2 x 10.1 inches), we recommended
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to use 90 g/m (24 lb) or heavier paper.
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Note: Two‑sided printing is supported only for 60–90‑g/m (16–24‑lb) bond paper.
Curl
Curl is the tendency for paper to curl at its edges. Excessive curl can cause paper feeding problems. Curl can
occur after the paper passes through the printer, where it is exposed to high temperatures. Storing paper
unwrapped in hot, humid, cold, or dry conditions, even in the trays, can contribute to paper curling prior to
printing and can cause feeding problems.
Smoothness
Paper smoothness directly affects print quality. If paper is too rough, then toner cannot fuse to it properly. If
paper is too smooth, then it can cause paper feeding or print quality issues. Always use paper 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 paper affects both print quality and the ability of the printer to feed the paper correctly.
Leave paper in its original wrapper until it is time to use it. This limits the exposure of paper to moisture changes
that can degrade its performance.
Store paper in its original wrapper in the same environment as the printer for 24 to 48 hours before printing.
Extend the time to several days if the storage or transportation environment is very different from the printer
environment. Thick paper may also require a longer conditioning period.
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.
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For 60–90‑g/m (16–24‑lb) bond paper, grain long paper is recommended.