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Paper and specialty media guidelines
Paper guidelines
Paper characteristics
The following paper characteristics aect print quality and reliability. Consider these characteristics when
evaluating new paper stock.
Note: For detailed information on card stock and labels, see the Card Stock & Label Guide available on the
Lexmark Web site at
www.lexmark.com/publications.
Weight
The printer can automatically feed paper weights from 60–176 g/m
2
(16–47 lb bond) grain long. Paper lighter
than 60 g/m
2
(16 lb) might not be
sti
enough to feed properly, causing jams. For best performance, use
75 g/m
2
(20 lb bond) grain long paper. For paper smaller than 182 x 257 mm (7.2 x 10.1 in.), we recommend
90 g/m
2
(24 lb) or heavier 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 aects 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 Sheeld points; smoothness between 150 and 250 Sheeld points produces the best print quality.
Moisture content
The amount of moisture in paper
aects
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 to 48 hours before printing. Extend the time several days if the storage or transportation environment is very
dierent
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.
For 60–176 g/m
2
(16–47 lb bond) paper, grain long paper is recommended. For paper heavier than 176 g/m
2
,
grain short is recommended.
Paper and specialty media guidelines 66
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