Paper Guidelines - Lexmark MX617 User Manual

Paper and specialty media guide
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Do not use preprinted card stock manufactured with chemicals that may contaminate the printer. Preprinting
introduces semi‑liquid and volatile components into the printer.
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Use grain short card stock when possible.

Paper guidelines

Selecting the correct paper or specialty media reduces printing problems. For the best print quality, try a sample
of the paper or specialty media before buying large quantities.
Paper characteristics
The following paper characteristics affect print quality and reliability. Consider these characteristics when
evaluating new paper stock.
Weight
The standard printer trays can automatically feed paper weights up to 90‑g/m
The optional trays can automatically feed paper weights up to 120‑g/m
multipurpose feeder can automatically feed paper weights up to 163‑g/m
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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), it is recommended
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to use 90 g/m (24 lb) or heavier paper.
Note: Two‑sided printing is supported only for 60–90‑g/m
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, toner cannot fuse to it properly. If paper
is too smooth, it can cause paper feeding or print quality issues. Always use paper between 100 and 300
Sheffield points; smoothness between 150–250 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.
Condition paper before printing by storing it in its original wrapper in the same environment as the printer for
24–48 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.
2
(24‑lb) bond grain long paper.
2
(32‑lb) bond grain long paper. The
2
(43‑lb) bond grain long paper. Paper
2
(16–24‑lb) bond paper.
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