HP LASERJET ENTERPRISE FLOW MFP 8601Z+ AI-enabled User Manual

HP LaserJet Print Media Guide

Legal information

Reproduction, adaptation, or translation without prior written permission is prohibited, except as allowed

under the copyright laws.

The information contained herein is subject to change without notice.

The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements

accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an

additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

Edition 3, 5/2025

iii

Table of contents

1 Overview ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1

How HP LaserJet printers work........................................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Other resources ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2

2 Guidelines for using print media.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 3

Using print media.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Preparing print media for use................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Using paper............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3

Reading a ream label ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Opening and loading paper ............................................................................................................................................................................ 4

Setting the correct media type and size............................................................................................................................................... 5

Paper types................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6

Guidelines for using paper ............................................................................................................................................................................10

Using envelopes ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 11

Envelope construction...................................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Summary of HP envelope testing............................................................................................................................................................. 13

Guidelines for using envelopes.................................................................................................................................................................. 14

Using labels.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Guidelines for using labels ............................................................................................................................................................................ 15

Recommendations for using labels........................................................................................................................................................16

Using overhead transparencies...........................................................................................................................................................................16

Guidelines for using overhead transparencies...............................................................................................................................17

Printing on both sides of the paper.....................................................................................................................................................................17

Shipping and storing print media....................................................................................................................................................................................18

Environmental considerations...............................................................................................................................................................................18

3 Troubleshooting print media problems............................................................................................................................................................................ 20

Basic troubleshooting tasks.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 20

Types of print media to avoid ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 21

Paper problems............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 21

Frequent paper jams.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22

Frequent multiple-sheet feeds.............................................................................................................................................................................. 22

Reducing post-image curl......................................................................................................................................................................................... 23

Envelope problems ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................24

Frequent envelope jams.............................................................................................................................................................................................24

Gray areas on envelopes.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 25

Wrinkles on envelopes................................................................................................................................................................................................ 25

Print-quality problems ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 25

4 Specifications.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................27

U.S. paper grades........................................................................................................................................................................................................................27

Common paper grades and basis weights..............................................................................................................................................................27

Weight equivalence table.....................................................................................................................................................................................................28

Standard media sizes used in laser printers......................................................................................................................................................... 29

Paper sizes and dimensions...................................................................................................................................................................................29

Envelope sizes and dimensions........................................................................................................................................................................... 29

Cardstock sizes and dimensions........................................................................................................................................................................30

Comparisons of paper smoothness ...........................................................................................................................................................................30

5 Ordering HP print media............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 32

Glossary....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 33

Index................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................38

Overview1

The HP LaserJet Print Media Guide provides guidelines and troubleshooting information for print media

to help optimize use of your HP LaserJet printer.

HP LaserJet printers quickly and quietly produce documents of excellent print quality. Print media such

as paper, envelopes, labels, and overhead transparencies can be used in your HP LaserJet printer.

However, to ensure consistent performance and long-term reliability, the print media must be designed

for use with laser printers. There are several types of high-quality print media available.

NOTE: Digital multimedia projectors are now the preferred technology for projecting images, resulting

in a decline in use of overhead transparency (OHT) projectors. HP no longer produces overhead

transparencies and does not perform extensive testing of overhead transparencies for its products.

HP will verify that overhead transparencies designed for laser printers will not damage your HP

LaserJet printer and will meet minimum performance requirements.

This manual provides guidelines for selecting and using print media to help you get the best

performance from your HP LaserJet printer. It also contains information to help troubleshoot HP

LaserJet printer problems that might be caused by poor-quality print media.

You might encounter some terms that are unfamiliar to you. For more information about these terms,

see the Glossary.

The standards discussed in this manual do

not

apply to paper that is being scanned, copied, or faxed

through the scan path on an HP LaserJet MFP (multifunction peripheral). Check the individual product

manuals for that information.

NOTE: When HP LaserJet printers are discussed in this guide, the information pertains to HP

Monochrome LaserJet printers, HP color LaserJet printers, and HP LaserJet MFPs unless otherwise

noted. For specific information about what media your printer or MFP supports, see the documentation

that came with your product.

How HP LaserJet printers work

The print process for HP LaserJet printers involves several steps.

HP LaserJet printers use laser and electrophotographic technologies to reproduce images and text

on paper. On a laser printer, the print media is picked from the input tray one sheet at a time and

transported through the paper path. While passing through the paper path, a scanning laser beam

writes an electrostatic image onto a rotating photosensitive drum. As this image passes the developing

station, a dry, powdery toner is attracted to the image areas. In an HP color LaserJet printer, this process

is similar for each of the four toner colors.

The developed image then advances to the transfer station, where the drum contacts the paper or other

print media and the toner image is electrostatically transferred onto the paper. After transfer, the print

media passes through the fuser, where heat and pressure are applied and the toner fuses (melts) onto

the print media. The print media is then delivered to the output bin, ready for use.

In summary, to create the printed image, the print media is transported through the printer, charged

electrostatically, and heated. This is why print media properties such as cleanliness, electrical

Overview

resistivity, caliper, finish, moisture content, and stiffness can affect the print quality and media-handling

performance of your HP LaserJet printer.

Other resources

For assistance with your HP LaserJet printer or print media, you can consult other resources.

To determine if the print media is suitable for an HP LaserJet printer, check the media manufacturer's

website for specifications. You can also check the specifications provided in this document and in the

printer user guide.

Printing issues can have multiple causes. Switching to a different print media is often the quickest way

to resolve issues with print quality and media transport. If you have tried the suggestions provided in

this document and in the printer user guide, and you still need assistance, contact the dealer from whom

you purchased the printer. You can also obtain support through the worldwide network of HP Sales and

Service Offices. (See the sales and service listings in the HP LaserJet printer user guide.)

For more information about your HP printer and HP print media, see the HP website at

http://www.hp.com.

Chapter 1 Overview

Guidelines for using print media2

Follow these guidelines for selecting print media that is most suitable for your HP LaserJet printer and

any accessories.

HP LaserJet printers are designed to use many types of print media, but it is advisable to use high-

quality print media. HP paper is recommended for use in your HP LaserJet printer. See Ordering HP print

media.

HP LaserJet printers can use non-HP brand media that meets or exceeds the specifications for

supported media. Using non-HP brand media that meets HP specifications should not damage the

printer or void the warranty.

NOTE: Properties of non-HP brand media, over which HP has no control, are subject to change. The

customer assumes all responsibility for the quality and performance of media. Although testing media

helps to characterize its performance, long-term satisfaction requires manufacturer process-quality

control as well as proper handling and storage by the customer.

If you are planning a large purchase of print media, it is important to test a small quantity of the media in

the environment (temperature, humidity and application) in which it will be used.

Using print media

Understanding print media and following the HP recommendations will help to ensure proper operation

of your HP LaserJet printer.

Preparing print media for use

Print media must be prepared properly before using it with your HP LaserJet printer.

Print media needs some time to stabilize in a new environment. To prepare print media, keep it in its

protective packaging and store it in the environment in which it will be used. For small quantities, such as

one or two reams, store the print media for one to two days. For larger quantities or if the change in the

environment is significant, a week or more might be needed. For more information, see Environmental

considerations.

CAUTION: If print media is not prepared properly, the edges in the ream can become wavy or the

sheets can curl soon after the package is opened, which can cause paper jams.

Using paper

Understanding the types and quality of paper and following the HP recommendations will help to ensure

proper operation of your HP LaserJet printer and any accessories.

All papers are designed and manufactured for a specific use. Papers that are designed for the

electrophotographic process, which laser printers and copy machines use, are typically called laser-

or copier-grade papers. High-quality laser and copier papers are usually made from 100% chemical

wood pulp and are characterized by a smooth surface, controlled electrical properties, heat stability,

Guidelines for using print media

and cleanliness. These characteristics ensure good image transfer, fusing without excessive curl, and

reliable printer operation.

NOTE: The current trend is to add higher quantities of filler to paper. Fillers are small particulates of

things like calcium carbonate, clay, and talc. These particulates must be properly bound or sealed in

the sheet during the paper-making process to prevent them from "dusting off" and contaminating the

printer. For more information, see the definition of coated paper in Paper types.

Some print jobs require a paper that has a more prestigious look or feel. For example, letterhead papers

generally have a watermark and often use cotton fiber. These papers tend to have a rougher surface,

and their properties might not be controlled as well as those of photocopier papers. Poor toner adhesion

and poor print quality can occur if the paper roughness is excessive. Different print settings might be

required to print on these media. If poor print quality occurs, try another media to determine if the media

or the printer is at fault.

Paper manufacturers make premium laser-grade bond papers that are optimized for laser printing.

NOTE: For print quality issues, see Troubleshooting print media problems.

Reading a ream label

The ream label identifies the characteristics of the paper.

A ream label is typically placed or printed on the outside of the paper wrapping. The ream label should

list the weight, size, quantity of sheets, grain direction, and other information. The preferred side for

printing might also be indicated by an arrow on the ream label, although some manufacturers do not

specify a print side. If a preferred side is indicated, the paper should be loaded into the printer so that

the preferred side will be printed (or printed first for duplexing). The preferred side might face up or

face down in the input tray, depending on the printer model and the input source. (See the support

documentation for your printer model to determine the orientation in the input tray.)

The following illustration shows an example of a ream label. For more information about the items on the

label, see the Glossary.

Figure 2-1 Reading a ream label

Woods Multi-Purpose Special

MP-5757

500 Sheets

X 11

(216 x 279 mm)

Sub 20/50 (75 g/m2)

Long Grain

Multi-Purpose for Office Copiers, Laser Printers and Offset Printing

Smooth Finish

10M

Print This

Side First

White

90 Brightness

basis

weight

paper

type

grammage

paper color brightness level

surface

finish

manufacturer

name

brand

name

paper size (bold or underline

indicates grain direction)

quantity

orientation of preferred side

for printing (if applicable)

Opening and loading paper

Follow this process when you open paper and load it into the printer input tray.

1. Place the wrapped ream of paper on a flat surface, with the seam side up.

Chapter 2 Guidelines for using print media

2. Read the ream label that is located on the outside of the paper wrapping and note the direction of

the arrow that indicates the preferred print side (if one is included). See Reading a ream label.

3. Open the paper wrapping and inspect for any damage to the sheets such as bent corners, wrinkles,

nicked edges, or glue contamination. Discard any damaged sheets.

4. Before loading the paper into the tray, flex the stack in both directions.

● A4 printer: Letter/A4 media is fed short edge first, so grasp the media along the short edge and

flex it back and forth.

● A3 printer: Letter/A4 media is fed long edge first, so grasp the media along the long edge and

flex it back and forth.

NOTE: Do not fan or separate the paper into several stacks. Doing so creates air pockets between

the sheets that can cause jams or multiple-sheet feeds.

Setting the correct media type and size

To ensure optimal performance, it is critical to set the correct media type and size.

Not all HP LaserJet printers have media width and length sensors. If the incorrect size is specified, this

can cause printer jams or result in error codes. Also, not all HP LaserJet printers have media sensors

to properly adjust the print speed, fusing temperature, and transfer bias. This can result in poor print

quality such as flaking toner or light prints.

A list of common media sizes and types follows. For more information, see Specifications or consult the

user guide for your product.

Common media sizes:

Setting the correct media type and size

● Letter

● Legal

● A4

● A3

● B5

Common media types:

● Plain

● Letterhead

● Bond

● Heavy

● Preprinted

Paper types

Several types of paper are available.

● Archival paper

● Bond paper or letterhead

● Coated paper

● Colored paper

● Copier paper (plain paper)

● Embossed and debossed paper

● Glossy paper

● Heavy paper, cover paper, and cardstock

● Laser paper

● Preprinted forms and letterhead

● Recycled paper

● Special print media

Archival paper

Paper that is used for archiving must meet the same specifications as standard paper with a pH greater

than 7.0. Some archival demands are more stringent than others, requiring a specific degree of alkalinity

and chemical stability. Toner is chemically stable and should last as long as the paper does. Toner can

be degraded by petroleum-based solvents or plasticizers, such as those found in vinyl folders.

NOTE: There are no universal standards for what constitutes archival paper, but there are some

generally accepted properties. Archival paper should be acid free, should not contain groundwood or

unbleached pulp, should meet strict limits on metallic content, and should be free of optical brighteners

Chapter 2 Guidelines for using print media

that artificially make the paper whiter. For more information, see

https://www.strathmoreartist.com/blog-reader/what-is-the-difference-between-acid-free-and-archival.html

Avoid folding archival documents across printed areas or handling archival documents roughly. Discuss

archival requirements with your paper supplier.

Bond paper or letterhead

Bond paper or letterhead is premium paper that is often watermarked, sometimes uses cotton fiber,

and is available in a wide range of colors and finishes with matching envelopes. Many manufacturers

now design these grades of paper with properties optimized for laser printing and advertise the paper

as laser compatible or laser guaranteed. Some of the rougher surface finishes, such as cockle, laid,

or linen, might require the special fuser modes that are available on some printer models in order

to achieve adequate toner adhesion. For more information about your printer specifications, see

https://support.hp.com/us-en/products/.

Coated paper

Clay- or other pigment-coated papers must be specifically designed for laser printers. The electrical

properties must be controlled and the surface designed not to blister during fusing. The coating must

not flake or shed particles that can contaminate the printer.

Some preprinted media contains a specially prepared starch called press powder to assist the press

operator in the printing process. If you are using preprinted media and there is excessive dusting,

contact your supplier to determine if the product contains press powder. If so, request a press-powder-

free version of the product.

Colored paper

You can use colored paper in your HP LaserJet printer if the paper meets the same specifications as

standard paper. See Guidelines for using paper.

Print quality from the HP color LaserJet printers is optimal when printing on white paper. You also can

use an HP color LaserJet printer to print on colored paper that meets all of the specifications that are

listed in this guide. However, colored paper can change the appearance of the printed colors. This is

because HP color LaserJet printers create colors by printing a pattern of dots, overlaying and varying

their spacing to produce various colors. When these colors are printed on colored media, the shade or

color of the media will vary the shades of your printed colors. Because the printer cannot sense the

color of the paper that you are using, it cannot adjust the output colors for colored paper. To manually

adjust the output colors, see the support documentation for your printer.

Copier paper (plain paper)

Although copier paper is often referred to as "plain," the paper is optimized to work well with the

electrophotographic process that is used in photocopiers and laser printers. Copier-grade paper

commands the largest volume for printing and copying, and can be relatively inexpensive. However,

keep in mind that the quality and consistency of paper can vary depending on the materials, processes,

and controls that the manufacturer uses. These variations can significantly affect the quality of the

printed output.

A very inexpensive paper might not save you money if it frequently causes multiple-sheet feeds or

jams, or if it causes print-quality problems. If you are having these types of problems, you might want to

consider using a different paper type or brand.

Paper types

Embossed and debossed paper

Avoid heavily embossed or debossed papers to prevent multiple-sheet feeding that results from

nesting. To prevent poor print quality and fusing (toner adhesion), do not print closer than 15 mm (0.59

inch) from the embossment. The heat of the fuser tends to flatten the embossed or debossed images.

NOTE: Embossed media that is pastelled or that has a metallic or shiny coating can be conductive

and cause damage to the printer.

Glossy paper

Glossy paper that is designed for color laser printers creates vibrant photo images and graphics. With

other types of glossy paper, the top coating might blister and there might be poor toner adhesion due to

steam release during fusing.

Heavy paper, cover paper, cardstock, and postcards

Heavy paper generally refers to paper that is greater than 105 g/m2 in weight (heavier than 28-lb bond)

and cardstock generally refers to paper that is greater than 163 g/m2 in weight (heavier than 60-lb

cover, or 90-lb index). The heavier weight of these papers gives them more stiffness, which can degrade

feeding reliability (typically as a result of poor pickup from the input tray). Using short-grain heavy paper

in printers that feed in the portrait direction might help to avoid feed problems, because the paper is less

stiff in the short-grain direction. Also, using the straightest paper path in your printer might also improve

feeding reliability and print quality.

Heavy paper and cardstock might require higher fuser temperatures to adequately anchor the toner

to the surface. Using the printer menu to select the paper type ensures that the appropriate fuser

temperature will be used.

NOTE:

● Small form factor cardstock (in particular, preprinted, such as postcards) can cause jamming and

missed picks. If the feed rotation of 90 degrees does not resolve the problem, then the media might

not be compatible with the printer.

● Print postcards from tray 1 unless your product specifies to print from tray 2. If a jam occurs due to

postcard curl, flip the postcard over.

● If your printer has a face-up printer bin, print from that. It provides a straight-through paper path.

CAUTION: Different HP LaserJet printer models and their input trays support various ranges of paper

weights. Some models provide optimized settings that are available in the printer driver or at the

control panel. Please see the support documentation that came with your HP LaserJet printer for

specific information about its capabilities and settings.

Laser paper

Laser paper is another premium-quality paper grade that is typically characterized by very smooth and

uniform surfaces, excellent formation, heavier bond weights of 24 lb or 32 lb, and very high brightness

and whiteness. These optimized properties can enhance color and monochrome halftone reproductions

by providing a very uniform substrate for image transfer and fusing.

Preprinted forms and letterhead

To avoid problems when using preprinted forms, embossed paper, and letterhead paper, observe the

following guidelines:

Chapter 2 Guidelines for using print media

● Avoid using low-temperature inks (the kind used with some types of thermography).

● Use forms and letterhead paper that have been printed by offset lithography or engraving.

● Use forms that have been created with heat-resistant inks that will not melt, vaporize, or release

undesirable emissions when heated to 205°C (401°F) for 0.1 second (0.2 second for HP color LaserJet

printers). Typically, oxidation-set or oil-based inks meet this requirement.

● Maintain the moisture content of preprinted forms by sealing them in moisture-proof wrap and

storing them in a cool, dry location. Do not use materials that change the paper’s electrical or

handling properties.

● Avoid processing preprinted forms that have a finish or coating.

● Avoid using heavily embossed or raised-letterhead papers.

● Avoid papers that have heavily textured surfaces.

● Avoid using offset powders or other materials that prevent printed forms from sticking together.

Recycled paper

Recycled paper is a combination of unused fibers and pre- and post-consumer waste paper. Printed

waste paper is usually washed to remove most of the inks and other contaminants. A recycled sheet of

paper might contain dark specks or appear gray or dirty. Choose recycled paper that meets the same

specifications as standard paper (see Guidelines for using paper) and that has a suitable appearance

for your needs. HP products allow for the use of office paper with 100% post-consumer recycled

content. HP has tested a variety of recycled copier papers on HP LaserJet printers and has found that

they perform similarly to virgin-fiber grades.

Special print media

Paper that undergoes converting processes before it is used in your laser printer must be properly

designed and manufactured to ensure acceptable performance. Converting processes include

preprinting, engraving, die-cutting, perforating, folding, gluing, embossing, and debossing. Because

these processes use many different inks, materials, tools, and techniques, HP recommends that you

make sure your converter or supplier knows that the media will be used in a laser printer. Ask for a

guarantee of acceptable performance.

Examples of special print media are paper label combinations, plastic paper combinations, self-sealing

media, tear-resistant media, 100% synthetic media, business card media, hospital multicomponent

media, and blank embossed certificates.

Media that has perforations or cutouts can be printed successfully on your HP LaserJet printer, but it

must be properly designed and manufactured to avoid feed or contamination problems and to prevent

wear on the printer. Perforations or cutouts must not affect the media's flatness, stiffness, or be large

enough to interact with adjacent sheets in a stack. Misfeeds and loose, unfused toner can affect the

print quality.

● Cutout: The area where material has been removed by punching or die-cutting. Cutouts can interact

with paper-path sensors or can result in contamination from toner if printing is too close to a cutout

location.

● Perforations: A series of holes or slits in media that provide a controlled tear for separating one

portion of the sheet from another. HP recommends that micro-perforations be used, because they

provide better strength and reduce nesting, debris, and dusting.

Paper types

Consider the following guidelines when working with a knowledgeable vendor to develop media with

perforations or die-cuts:

● Punch cutouts and perforations from the side to be printed. This prevents edge trimmings from

scratching the photosensitive drum.

● Round all corners of a cutout to prevent snagging or, in the case of labels, peeling.

● Ensure that die-cutting of labels does not penetrate the liner sheet.

● Ensure that cutouts are not made at a position where paper-path sensors are located.

● All cuts should be clean (no burrs) and free of edge rollover to prevent nesting, poor feeding,

contamination, or wear on the printer.

● Orient perforations in the direction of paper feeding to minimize tenting or feeding problems from

reduced stiffness.

● Do not run perforations closer than 2 mm (0.08 inch) from the paper edge or 25 mm (1 inch) from the

leading edge, or jamming and feeding problems can result.

Guidelines for using paper

Follow these guidelines for using paper to ensure optimal performance.

For most printing, use conventional white laser-printer paper. It must be high-quality paper that is free of

the following defects:

● Cuts

● Tears

● Grease spots

● Loose particles

● Dust

● Wrinkles and voids

● Curled or bent edges

CAUTION: Avoid using extremely heavy or light paper. Use paper that is within your printer’s specified

basis-weight range, as indicated in the support documentation that came with the printer. To

troubleshoot paper problems, see Paper problems.

The paper properties and specifications provided in this table generally apply to all HP LaserJet printers.

See the support documentation that came with your printer for product-specific information.

Table 2-1

Paper properties and specifications

Property Specifications

Basis weight

60 g/m

to 160 g/m

(16 lb to 43 lb).

See the support documentation that came with your printer

for specific information.

10 Chapter 2 Guidelines for using print media

Table 2-1 Paper properties and specifications (continued)

Property Specifications

Caliper 0.09 mm to 0.226 mm (3.5 mil to 9.0 mil)

See the support documentation that came with your printer

for specific information.

Minimum stiffness 1.2 minimum Taber or 140 mN for machine direction.

0.8 minimum Taber or 90 mN for cross direction.

Grain

Portrait feeding: long grain up to 135 g/m

(36 lb); short grain

for weights greater than 135 g/m

Landscape feeding: long grain.

Electrical surface resistivity

to 10

ohms/square.

Electrical volume resistivity

to 10

ohms - cm.

Surface roughness 100 to 190 Sheffield optimal; up to 250 Sheffield extended

(fusing or feeding performance can be degraded at outer

ranges).

Fusing compatibility Must not scorch, melt, ignite, offset materials, or release

undesirable emissions when heated to 205°C (401°F) for 0.1

second (0.2 second for HP color LaserJet printers).

Furnish (composition) 100% chemical pulp and/or cotton content; recycled paper

with up to 100% post-consumer content can be used.

Dimensional accuracy Cut sheet within ±0.80 mm (±0.03 inch) of nominal.

Cut edge quality Cuts must be smooth and clean with no fray or edge roll.

Curl Must lie flat within 5 mm (0.2 inch).

Moisture content 4% to 6%t by weight.

Packaging Moisture-proof ream wrap with no exposed adhesive.

Adhesive should remain firmly attached to packaging after

opening.

Ash content Ash content should be less than 20% when determined by

combustion process at 525°C for uncoated media.

Using envelopes

Understanding the types and quality of envelopes and following the HP recommendations will help to

ensure proper operation of your HP LaserJet printer.

CAUTION: Due to product designs, not all products support envelopes from all trays. Printing on

envelopes can damage the printer. See the user guide that came with your printer for detailed

instructions about printing on envelopes.

Most HP LaserJet printers can print on many sizes and styles of envelopes by using the manual feed

feature, an optional envelope tray, an optional envelope feeder, or another tray. Whichever input method

you use, envelopes should meet all of the specifications that are discussed in this document. Your

envelope vendor should provide you with a satisfactory envelope that complies with the specifications

listed in Guidelines for using envelopes. However, inconsistencies in folds or other process-control

Using envelopes

problems can result in some envelopes feeding well and others jamming. Purchase envelopes that have

the quality and consistency that your printer requires.

NOTE:

● Optional envelope feeders are specific to products and are not interchangeable. For more

information, see your product user guide.

● Envelopes can meet the general specifications listed in Guidelines for using envelopes and still not

print satisfactorily because of the printing environment or other variables over which HP has no

control.

CAUTION: Envelopes with windows, clasps, snaps, or a glued surface can cause severe damage to

the printer. See the support documentation for your printer before using envelopes in your HP LaserJet

printer.

Envelope construction

Because of their construction, some envelopes do not feed through the printer dependably. Observe

these guidelines when purchasing and using envelopes.

● Make sure that the envelope’s leading edge, which enters the printer first, is straight, with a sharp,

well-creased fold that has no more than two thicknesses of paper. Envelopes that exceed 90-g/m

(24-lb) basis weight can cause jamming.

● Avoid using flimsy envelopes that have thick or curved leading edges; they will not feed reliably.

● Envelopes should lie flat and should not be wrinkled, nicked, or otherwise damaged.

● Avoid envelopes that have baggy construction; they might wrinkle while passing through the

printer’s fuser area.

● Make sure that the adhesive labels and all other materials used on envelopes will not scorch, melt,

offset, or release undesirable emissions when heated to 205°C (401°F) for 0.1 second (0.2 second for

HP color LaserJet printers).

● Avoid using envelopes that have encapsulated adhesives that do not require moistening but instead

use pressure for sealing.

● Do not use envelopes that have clasps, snaps, tie strings, transparent windows, holes, perforations,

or cutouts.

● Do not use envelopes that have any adhesive surfaces exposed to the printer.

● Envelopes with woven or smooth finishes ensure good toner adhesion.

● Protect envelopes in humid environments. High moisture content can cause some envelopes to seal

shut due to elevated temperatures when steam is released during fusing.

Many envelopes will feed through your HP LaserJet printer without problems. However, some envelope

constructions (as shown in the following illustration) might not feed reliably. Problems can occur when

the envelopes are folded more tightly than normal, which creates a thick leading edge near a corner.

Inconsistencies in folding during manufacturing can cause some envelopes to feed well and others to

jam. Purchase envelopes that have the quality and consistency that you require.

NOTE: For optimal print quality, make sure the paper type is set to envelope.

Chapter 2 Guidelines for using print media

Figure 2-2 Examples of good and bad envelope construction

Good construction Bad construction

Diagonal-seam envelope

Double-sided seam envelope

Manila envelope

inconsistent

leading edge

Summary of HP envelope testing

HP tests many types of envelopes to determine which ones print acceptably in an HP LaserJet printer.

This is a summary of the test results.

● Commercial or Official envelopes (also called Business or Regular), which have diagonal seams and

standard gummed flaps, performed the most reliably.

● Envelopes that have double-sided seam construction, which creates vertical seams at both ends

of the envelope instead of diagonal seams, tend to be more flimsy than diagonal-seam envelopes.

Double-sided seam envelopes tend to jam or wrinkle unless the edges are thin and sharply creased.

However, a variety of double-sided seam envelopes have performed acceptably during testing.

● Envelopes that have a peel-off adhesive strip or that have more than one flap that folds over for

sealing, must use adhesives compatible with the heat and pressure of the printer’s fusing process.

Several varieties of this type of envelope performed satisfactorily in HP testing. However, the extra

flaps and strips can result in increased jamming or wrinkling and poor toner adhesion due to the

increased thickness of the envelope.

● Generally, feeding problems increase with envelope size. Larger envelope sizes (C5, B5) cannot have

a basis weight greater than 105 g/m

(28 lb).

● Rougher finishes such as laid, linen, or cockle can result in poor fusing.

● The multiple layers in envelopes construction might result in a noticeable background effect (small

toner particles scattered in the non-imaged areas). You can reduce this effect by increasing the

toner density setting on your printer.

Summary of HP envelope testing

● When running very large envelope jobs (several hundred to thousands), the fuser life might be

reduced due to accelerated wear.

● The location of the envelope flap can cause feed problems. If the flap location is the same as the

pick roller location (that is, the pick roller picks up the envelope by the flap), then the flap can move

but the envelope cannot, causing a jam. In this situation, try rotating the envelope 180 degrees so

you do not feed the envelop flap at the pick roller.

Guidelines for using envelopes

Follow these guidelines for using envelopes to ensure optimal performance.

The envelope properties and specifications provided in this table generally apply to all HP LaserJet

printers. See the support documentation that came with your printer for product-specific information.

NOTE: For optimal results, print envelopes using the straightest paper path possible (for example,

tray 1 to the face-up output bin).

Table 2-2

Envelope properties and specifications

Property Specifications

Basis weight

60 g/m

to 105 g/m

(17 lb to 28 lb).

See the support documentation that came with your printer

for specific information.

Caliper 0.09 mm to 0.14 mm (3.6 mil to 5.5 mil) for a single-layer

thickness.

Surface roughness 100 to 200 Sheffield.

Fusing compatibility All inks, adhesives, and other materials that are used in the

envelope construction must be compatible with the heat and

pressure of the fusing process. Materials must not scorch,

melt, ignite, offset materials, or release undesirable emissions

when heated to 205°C (401°F) for 0.1 second (0.2 second for HP

color LaserJet printers).

Dimensional accuracy and construction quality Envelopes must be folded within ±1 mm (±0.04 inch) of nominal

size and have no more than two thickness of paper anywhere

along the leading edge.

All folds must be sharply creased and construction must be

tight (not baggy) to avoid wrinkling.

Envelopes must not be stuck together from excess seam

adhesive. The envelope flap must lie flat (within 1.5 mm [0.059

inch] over the width where the adhesive is applied).

Curl Envelopes must lie flat, with no more than 6 mm (0.25 inch) curl

across the entire surface.

Moisture content 4% to 6% by weight.

High moisture content can cause some envelopes to seal shut

due to elevated temperatures when steam is released during

fusing.

Grain Different types of envelope construction might require

different grain orientations for best performance, which is left

to the discretion of the converter. For more information, see

the support documentation that came with your printer.

Packaging Protective box to prevent edge damage and maintain flatness.

14 Chapter 2 Guidelines for using print media

Using labels

Understanding the types and quality of labels and following the HP recommendations will help to ensure

proper operation of your HP LaserJet printer.

Labels are a type of multiple-layer media that typically consists of a face sheet (the printable surface),

pressure-sensitive adhesive, and a liner (a carrier sheet coated with a release agent). Labels to be

used in your HP LaserJet printer must be specifically designed for laser printers. If labels other

than those compatible with laser printers are used, a significant risk exists for labels peeling or for

adhesive contamination that can severely damage your printer. All materials in laser label stock must be

compatible with the heat and pressure of the fusing process, and must not melt or release undesirable

emissions when heated to 205°C (401°F) for 0.1 second (0.2 second for HP color LaserJet printers).

CAUTION:

● The liner or release layer should not be exposed. Open spaces and gaps might trap toner and

prevent it from fusing properly.

● Not all HP color LaserJet printers support printing on labels from all trays. Please see the support

documentation that came with your product to determine if your product supports labels.

Guidelines for using labels

Follow these guidelines for using labels to ensure optimal performance.

The label properties and specifications provided in this table generally apply to all HP LaserJet printers.

See the support documentation that came with your printer for product-specific information.

Table 2-3

Label properties and specifications

Property Specifications

Adhesives Adhesives must not be on any external surfaces of the label

before, during, or after printing. Label construction, adhesive

release strength, and appropriate die-cutting must prevent

labels from peeling off during printing.

Different adhesives can provide removable, permanent, or

semi-permanent fixing of the face sheet onto the item being

labeled. Generally, acrylic-based adhesives are preferred for

laser printing because they can be applied in very thin layers

to prevent oozing and contamination, and can be made

compatible with the heat and pressure of fusing.

Improved processes are being developed to minimize

adhesive contamination, such as zone coating or stripped

matrix. Zone coating recesses the adhesive around the border

of a die-cut, and stripped matrix prevents adhesive from

oozing between the die-cut labels. The adhesive and liner must

provide adequate release strength so that labels will not peel

off during printing.

Caliper The caliper must not exceed 0.23 mm (9.0 mils).

Face sheet The face sheet is the printable surface on a sheet of adhesive

labels and can be made from different materials, including

paper, polyester, and vinyl. It is common for a face sheet to

be die-cut so that individual shapes can be removed after

printing. Polyester and vinyl labels require a topcoat to provide

the proper electrical and toner adhesion properties. It is

important to purchase labels from a knowledgeable converter

who is familiar with these processes and laser printing.

Using labels 15

Table 2-3 Label properties and specifications (continued)

Property Specifications

Fusing compatibility All inks, adhesives, and other materials that are used in the

label construction must be compatible with the heat and

pressure of the fusing process. Materials must not scorch,

melt, ignite, offset materials, or release undesirable emissions

when heated to 205°C (401°F) for 0.1 second (0.2 second for HP

color LaserJet printers).

Liner The liner is the carrier sheet for the label material. The liner

must provide stability for the reliable pickup and transport of

the label stock through the printer.

CAUTION: The liner or release layer should not be exposed

on the front. Open spaces and gaps might trap toner and

prevent it from fusing properly.

Packaging The labels should be delivered in moisture-proof wrap to

preserve their properties.

Shelf life The labels should have a minimum shelf life of one year, when

stored at 23°C (73°F) and 50 percent relative humidity.

Recommendations for using labels

Follow these HP recommendations for using labels.

● Regularly inspect your labels after printing for any indication that the label edges are lifting or that

adhesive contamination is occurring on the print surface. If either of these problems is observed,

HP recommends that you discontinue use of that box or lot-number of labels and discuss the

problem with your label supplier.

● If many sheets of labels are being continuously run, periodically run several sheets of paper through

the printer to clean any contamination or label-stock adhesive that might have deposited.

CAUTION: Be sure to run full sheets of labels. Reprinting unused portions can increase the risk of the

labels peeling and the occurrence of adhesive contamination.

Using overhead transparencies

Understanding the types and quality of overhead transparencies and following the HP

recommendations will help to ensure proper operation of your HP LaserJet printer.

NOTE: Digital multimedia projectors are now the preferred technology for projecting images, resulting

in a decline in use of overhead transparency (OHT) projectors. HP no longer produces overhead

transparencies and does not perform extensive testing of overhead transparencies for its products.

HP will verify that overhead transparencies designed for laser printers will not damage your HP

LaserJet printer and will meet minimum performance requirements.

Overhead transparency film must be designed specifically for use with laser printers. Photocopy

transparency film might not be compatible with laser printers because of higher temperature and

stiffness requirements. Color laser printers also require different film from that used in monochrome

printers to ensure proper color reproduction and meet fusing requirements.

Overhead transparency film is very smooth and must have a topcoat to provide the proper electrical

and toner adhesion properties. A transparency that is made of incompatible material or that is too thin

can easily melt in or wrap around the fuser and damage your printer. The thickness requirement for

Chapter 2 Guidelines for using print media

monochrome overhead transparency film is 0.10 mm to 0.11 mm (4.0 mils to 4.4 mils). For color overhead

transparency film, the thickness requirement is 0.12 mm to 0.13 mm (4.8 mils to 5.2 mils).

Overhead transparency materials must be able to withstand the heat and pressure of the fusing

process. Materials must not discolor, offset, or release undesirable emissions when heated to 205°C

(401°F) for 0.1 second (0.4 second for HP color LaserJet printers). See your HP LaserJet printer user guide

for detailed instructions on using overhead transparencies.

CAUTION: Not all HP LaserJet printers support overhead transparencies. To determine if overhead

transparencies are supported for your product, see the product user guide.

Guidelines for using overhead transparencies

Follow these guidelines for using overhead transparencies to ensure optimal performance.

The following table summarizes the overhead transparency properties and specifications.

CAUTION: To prevent jamming or poor-quality output, HP recommends using monochrome

transparencies with HP LaserJet monochrome printers and color transparencies with HP color

LaserJet printers.

NOTE: The specifications listed in this section generally apply to all HP LaserJet printers. See the

support documentation that came with your printer for product-specific information.

Table 2-4

Overhead transparency properties and specifications

Property Specifications

Caliper 0.12 mm to 0.13 mm (4.8 mils to 5.2 mils) for HP color LaserJet

printers.

0.10 mm to 0.11 mm (4.0 mils to 4.4 mils) for HP monochrome

LaserJet printers.

Electrical surface resistivity

to 10

ohms/square.

Fusing compatibility Overhead transparency materials must be compatible with

the heat and pressure of the fusing process. Materials must

not discolor, melt, offset, or release undesirable emissions

when heated to 205° C (401 ° F) for 0.1 second (0.4 second for

HP color LaserJet printers).

Printing on both sides of the paper

Two-sided printing, also known as duplex printing or duplexing, can be an automatic or manual process.

NOTE: Consult your product user guide to determine the supported size, type, weight, and orientation

for best results.

Automatic duplexing

Automatic duplexing requires an HP LaserJet printer that is designed especially for duplex printing. See

the support documentation for your printer model or duplex accessory for information about supported

paper.

CAUTION: Duplexing on adhesive labels, envelopes, or overhead transparencies can damage your

printer.

Guidelines for using overhead transparencies

Manual duplexing

Manual duplex printing, in which sheets that have already been printed are fed again into the

printer, requires operator intervention. For more information, see the software application support

documentation.

NOTE: HP recommends manually refeeding sheets only through the manual feed slot, the

multipurpose (MP) tray, or tray 1.

Shipping and storing print media

The performance of HP LaserJet printers depends on the condition of the print media that is used.

Follow the HP recommendations for shipping and storing media and understand the environmental

effects on media.

Shipping media

When you are shipping print media through different environments, use plastic wrap to wrap all cartons

on the shipping pallet. When you are shipping media across bodies of water, also wrap individual

cartons. Packaging must protect the media from physical damage.

Storing media

Follow these guidelines when stacking and storing print media:

● Do not store cartons or reams directly on the floor. Place cartons on a pallet or on shelves.

● Do not store individual reams in a manner that will result in curling or warping.

● Rewrap and seal partially used packages of media before storing them.

● Do not stack more than six cartons on top of each other.

● Stack each carton squarely on top of the one underneath.

● Stack each carton upright.

● Do not place anything on top of media, regardless of whether the paper is packaged or unpackaged.

● Store envelopes in a protective box to avoid damaging the envelope edges.

● Avoid storing paper near direct sunlight (close to windows) or close to air-conditioned vents. This

can cause damage to the paper over time.

● Do not store printed documents in vinyl folders (which can contain plasticizers) and do not expose

the documents to petroleum-based solvents.

Environmental considerations

HP LaserJet printers are designed to operate in a wide range of environmental conditions.

For best performance, store and use media at 20°C to 24°C (68°F to 75°F), with a relative humidity of 45%

to 55%. Follow these guidelines when media is used in an environment outside those temperature and

humidity ranges:

Chapter 2 Guidelines for using print media

● Do not expose the media to extremes in humidity or temperature. If media is left unwrapped or in the

printer input tray, extreme changes in the environment will cause the media to assume unwanted

characteristics.

● In the case of extreme humidity, keep paper and envelopes tightly wrapped in plastic. High moisture

content can cause some envelopes to seal shut due to elevated temperatures when steam is

released during fusing.

If a significant temperature difference exists between the media storage area and the printer’s

operating environment, allow the media time to adjust to the temperature in the printer’s operating

environment before unwrapping it. The greater the temperature difference and the greater the amount

of media to acclimate, the longer this time period should be. Allow one day for every 10°C (20°F)

difference in temperature between the storage environment and the printing environment.

Environmental considerations

Troubleshooting print media problems3

Problems with print quality and media handling typically result from print media that does not meet the

specifications, that has been stored improperly, or that is not in good condition. This chapter explains

the possible causes of and solutions to print media problems.

Troubleshooting checklist

Ask the following questions to determine if the print media is causing print-quality problems:

● Does your media meet the specifications outlined in this document? (See Types of print media to

avoid and Guidelines for using print media.)

● Is the media in good condition? Is it curled or wrinkled?

● Are you using the printing procedures that are described in the printer user guide?

● Are you observing correct practices when handling and loading media? (See the support

documentation for your printer for guidelines to load media.)

● Are your print-quality problems isolated to a specific type of media?

● Did you check the following aspects of the environment in which the printer operates or in which the

print media is stored? (See Environmental considerations.)

– Temperature

– Humidity

– Cleanliness

Basic troubleshooting tasks

If you cannot determine the cause of print defects by using the troubleshooting checklist, perform these

basic troubleshooting tasks.

● Inspect the print media for obvious defects, such as torn sheets, contamination from glue, or ragged

cut edges.

● Use print media from another lot or from a different manufacturer.

NOTE: If a print problem develops when using certain print media, switch to a known good print

media, preferably HP branded.

● Turn the paper stack over in the input tray and/or turn it 180° in the tray. Alternatively, try using

another tray.

● If you have a print-quality problem that is related to envelopes, print a sheet of paper to determine if

the problem is caused by the variable thickness of your envelope.

– If the print quality of the single-sheet sample is good, re-examine your envelope and see

Envelope construction.

Chapter 3 Troubleshooting print media problems

– If the print quality of the single-sheet sample is poor, you might have a printer problem. See the

support documentation for your printer to see further troubleshooting information.

● Read the remainder of this troubleshooting section for further troubleshooting information, perform

the maintenance procedures that are recommended in your printer user guide, or see the

troubleshooting section in your printer user guide.

Types of print media to avoid

To ensure proper performance of your HP LaserJet printer, use paper or other print media specifically

designed to work with your printer.

Avoid using print media with the following characteristics:

● Print media, media coatings, dyes, or inks that contain materials that melt, vaporize, offset, discolor,

or release undesirable emissions when exposed to 205°C (401°F) for 0.1 second (0.2 second for HP

color LaserJet printers).

● Print media that is very rough, highly textured, or heavily embossed.

● Multipart forms.

● Carbonless media.

● Print media that offsets or discolors.

● Print media that is damaged, curled, wrinkled, or irregularly shaped.

● Print media that has not been stored or shipped properly. (See Shipping and storing print media.)

● Overhead transparency film that produces undesirable emissions or melts when exposed to a

fusing temperature of 205°C (401°F) for 0.1 second (0.4 second for HP color LaserJet printers). An

example would be overhead transparencies that are designed for printing on an ink printer.

● Envelopes that have encapsulated adhesives that do not require moistening but instead use

pressure for sealing.

● Envelopes that have clasps, snaps, tie strings, windows, or synthetic materials. These materials can

severely damage the printer.

● Envelopes that are not square, straight, or constructed correctly. (See Envelope construction.)

● Envelopes of a basis weight less than 60 g/m

(16 lb) or greater than 105 g/m

(28 lb).

● Envelopes that have baggy construction or folds that are not sharply creased.

Paper problems

Common symptoms of paper-quality issues include a high occurrence of jams, multiple-sheet feeds, and

paper curl.

CAUTION: Do not reuse jammed paper. Doing so can damage the printer.

Types of print media to avoid

Frequent paper jams

Frequent paper jams can have several possible causes and can be corrected by following the

suggested actions.

NOTE: To recover from a paper jam, follow the directions provided in the HP LaserJet printer user

guide.

Table 3-1 Paper jams: causes and corrective actions

Cause Actions

Paper is too stiff or heavy. Heavy or stiff paper might not be

able to negotiate the paper path or be picked up from the input

tray.

● Make sure that the paper does not exceed the basis

weight that is specified in the user documentation for

your printer.

● Feed from the multipurpose tray. See Guidelines for

using paper to ensure that the media meets the

requirements for bond weight and thickness.

● Use the correct output bin, as shown in your printer user

guide.

● Use a lighter-weight paper.

Paper is too smooth or too rough. Change the paper type or manually feed the paper into the

printer. See your printer user guide for the correct output tray

selection.

Paper is not cut to specification. This can cause poor print

alignment, mis-stacking, improper fit in the input tray, or

problems with the paper sensors.

Change the paper type or try another ream of paper.

Paper is too light or too flimsy. Make sure that the paper meets the specifications that are

listed for basis weight in Guidelines for using paper.

Paper guides in the tray are set incorrectly in the printer. Make sure that all of the paper guides have been set

correctly. See the user documentation for your printer for

more information.

Paper is too dry or too moist. ● Make sure that the paper is not near a window or a heat

or air vent.

● Replace the paper in the unit with paper from a newly

opened ream.

Paper might contain higher filler levels of talc and calcium

carbonate. If the talc or calcium carbonate are not well-bound

to the paper fibers, they can build up in the paper path and

cause print quality (PQ) defects and frequent paper jams.

● Try a different paper brand.

● Perform the printer cleaning procedures that are

appropriate for your printer. For most HP LaserJet

printers you can use a cleaning page to remove build-up

in the fuser. For more information, see the documentation

that came with your printer.

Frequent multiple-sheet feeds

Frequent multiple-sheet feeds can have several possible causes and can be corrected by following the

suggested actions.

Chapter 3 Troubleshooting print media problems

Table 3-2 Frequent multiple-sheet feeds: causes and corrective actions

Cause Actions

Paper is added in small amounts to the input tray. Add only full reams of paper to the input tray, and avoid mixing

paper types in the input tray.

Paper is too dry or is not moist enough. (Insufficient moisture

makes paper less conductive and creates static buildup.)

● Try another ream of paper.

● Change the paper type.

● Make sure that the paper is properly prepared. See

Preparing print media for use.

Paper is too light or too thin. Change the paper type.

Paper is too smooth or too rough. Surfaces tend to interlock or

stick together.

Change the paper type.

Paper is embossed or has raised letterhead. Change the paper type.

Paper guides in the trays are set incorrectly. Make sure that all of the paper guides have been set

correctly. See the user documentation for your printer for

more information.

Paper sticks together at the edges (edgeweld). Edgeweld

is caused by the use of dull cutting blades during the

manufacturing process.

● Flex the stack in both directions to "break" any locked

edges.

● Try a different ream of paper.

● Try a paper from a different paper manufacturer.

Reducing post-image curl

When an HP LaserJet printer prints a sheet of paper, the sheet can develop a curvature that is called

post-image curl. Generally, the higher the moisture content of the paper, the greater the curl.

Both the paper and the printer affect the amount of post-image curl. In the papermaking process,

stresses that can cause curl are a result of the paper manufacturing process, so different papers will

have differing amounts of post-image curl. In the printing process, the paper is subjected to the heat and

pressure of the fuser as well as to the contours of the paper path.

Table 3-3

Post-image curl: causes and corrective actions

Cause Actions

Paper is too moist, resulting in waviness or curl. ● Print to the another output bin, for example, the face-

up output bin. (This option is not available with some

printers.)

● Change to a different type or brand of paper.

● If possible, set the paper type to a lighter-weight paper.

For more information, see the support documentation

that came with your printer.

● You might need to acclimate the paper to your

environment to diminish differences in heat and moisture.

(See Preparing print media for use.)

● Follow the storage and handling specifications in this

document. (See Shipping and storing print media.)

Reducing post-image curl

Table 3-3 Post-image curl: causes and corrective actions (continued)

Cause Actions

Paper orientation (direction in which the paper is fed into the

printer) is incorrect, resulting in excessive curl.

● Turn the paper stack over or turn it around in the input

tray to reverse the direction of the paper.

● The grain of the paper can affect the curl of the paper.

Therefore, if you are feeding the paper in landscape

mode and you are experiencing curl, try feeding the

paper in portrait mode, if possible.

Envelope problems

Certain conditions can indicate envelope problems, such as high rates of jams, gray areas printing on

envelopes, and wrinkling.

Frequent envelope jams

Frequent envelope jams can have several possible causes and can be corrected by following the

suggested actions.

Overfilling the envelope tray and misadjusting its guides are the most common causes of jams.

However, if the envelope tray is properly loaded, the envelopes might be causing the problems.

To recover from an envelope jam, follow the directions provided in the HP LaserJet printer user guide.

CAUTION: Do not reuse jammed envelopes. Doing so can damage the printer.

Table 3-4

Frequent envelope jams: causes and corrective actions

Cause Actions

Envelopes are poorly manufactured. ● Make sure that the leading edge is straight, and has a

sharp, well-creased fold. The envelope must not have

more than two thicknesses of paper along any leading

edge. The folded layers of paper should come to a point

at the leading-edge corners. (See the figure in Envelope

construction.)

● Purchase envelopes that are manufactured correctly, or

run the side of a pen or pencil over the envelope edges to

flatten them.

Envelopes are not creased sufficiently to have sharp edges. Crease the leading edge of the envelope with the side of a pen

or pencil, or change to a different type or brand.

Envelopes are wrinkled, bent, or curled. Make sure that the envelope’s leading edge, which enters the

printer first, is straight, and that it has a sharp, well-creased

fold that has no more than two thicknesses of paper.

Envelopes are too stiff or heavy. Stiff or heavy envelopes

cannot negotiate the paper path or be picked up from the

envelope tray.

● Use a lighter-weight envelope. Do not exceed the basis

weight of 105 g/m

(28 lb).

● Use the printer’s most direct (straight-through) paper

path.

Envelopes are too smooth (do not have enough friction for

transport) or too rough.

Change to a different type of envelope.

Envelopes are jamming on the flap because the flap is at the

pick roller contact point.

Feed the envelope so that it is not flap first.

24 Chapter 3 Troubleshooting print media problems

Gray areas on envelopes

Gray areas on envelopes have some possible causes and can be corrected by following the suggested

actions.

Table 3-5 Gray areas on envelopes: causes and corrective actions

Cause Actions

Envelope has seams or multiple layers. Avoid printing over seams or other multiple-layer areas.

The toner density setting is too light. Reduce background (gray shading in non-imaged areas) by

adjusting the toner density setting to a darker setting. See the

documentation that came with your printer.

Wrinkles on envelopes

Wrinkles that form on envelopes after printing have several possible causes and can be corrected by

following the suggested actions.

Table 3-6

Wrinkles on envelopes: causes and corrective actions

Cause Actions

Loose envelope construction. Try different envelopes that are better constructed. See

Envelope construction for characteristics of good envelope

construction.

Folds are not sharply creased. Try different envelopes that are better constructed. See

Envelope construction for characteristics of good envelope

construction.

Low-weight/low-strength paper used in the envelope

construction.

Try different envelopes that are better constructed. See

Envelope construction for characteristics of good envelope

construction.

High moisture content. You might need to acclimate the envelope from the storage

environment to your environment in order to diminish

differences in heat and moisture. See Preparing print media

for use.

Print-quality problems

Print-quality problems can be caused by the print media. Use this information to troubleshoot the

problems.

Background toner particles

If the amount of background particles becomes unacceptable, the following procedures might help to

clear the condition:

● Increase the toner density setting. This decreases the amount of background particles.

● Change the paper to a lighter basis weight.

● Check the printer’s environment. Very dry (low humidity) conditions can increase the amount of

background particles.

Gray areas on envelopes

Dropouts

If faded-out areas or character voids (partial print) occur randomly on the page:

● The moisture content of the paper might be uneven, or the paper might have moist spots on its

surface as a result of environmental humidity. Store the paper in a moisture-proof container. Try

removing the top few sheets of paper from the paper tray or use paper from a different source

(such as another ream), or try a different brand of paper.

● The paper lot is bad. The manufacturing processes can cause some areas to reject toner. Try a

different kind or brand of paper.

Improperly formed or wavy characters

If characters are improperly formed or if the printer is producing hollow images, the paper stock might

be too smooth. Try a different paper if characters are improperly formed.

Toner smear

● If toner smears appear on the leading edge of the paper, the paper stock might be too slick. Try a

different paper if the toner is smearing on the paper.

● If toner is not fusing properly (and is smearing), try a higher fuser mode setting (if available). For

more information, see the support documentation that came with your printer.

Toner specks (background scatter)

Toner specks are black dots that appear randomly on either side of the page. If the toner specks appear,

the media might not meet the specifications for your printer (for example, the paper is too moist or too

rough). For more information, see the support documentation that came with your printer.

Chapter 3 Troubleshooting print media problems

Specifications4

This appendix provides paper specifications.

U.S. paper grades

The U.S. paper-grading system defines the sizes and weights of different grades of paper.

The U.S. paper-grading system has evolved through custom and usage, resulting in similar papers having

differently stated weights. For example, a 24-lb bond paper is exactly the same weight as a 60-lb book

paper, or a 60-lb text, or a 33-lb cover. This is because basis weight is defined as the weight of 500

sheets of paper cut to basic size. The basic size for bond, book/text, cover, index, bristol, and tag are all

different, so the given weights for these paper grades can be different although the physical weight is

virtually identical.

Common paper grades and basis weights

This table identifies the basis weights for common paper grades. The basic size for each paper grade is

unique, which affects the weight.

Paper grade

Basic size Basic area Factor Equivalent basis

weights (example)

Bond 17 by 22 inches (432 by

559 mm)

374.0 sq. inches (.241

)

1.00 24-lb bond

Text 25 by 38 inches (635 by

965 mm)

950.0 sq. inches (.613

)

2.54 61-lb text

Book (coated or

uncoated)

25 by 38 inches (635 by

965 mm)

950.0 sq. inches (.613

)

2.54 61-lb book

Cover 20 by 26 inches (508 by

660 mm)

520.0 sq. inches (.335

)

1.39 33-lb cover

Bristol 22.5 by 28.5 inches (571

by 724 mm)

641.25 sq. inches (.414

)

1.71 41-lb Bristol

Index 25.5 by 30.5 inches

(648 by 775 mm)

777.75 sq. inches (.502

)

2.08 50-lb index

Tag 24 by 36 inches (610 by

910 mm)

864.0 sq. inches (.557

)

2.31 55-lb tag

Metric weight 39.37 by 39.37 inches

(1000 by 1000 mm)

1550.0 sq. inches (1.0

)

3.76

90 g/m

Specifications 27

Weight equivalence table

This table identifies equivalent weights for different grades of paper.

NOTE: A bold value indicates a commonly available standard weight for that grade. Text and book

grades marked with an asterisk (*) actually calculate to 51, 61, 71, and 81 but are rounded to standard

book/text weights of 50, 60, 70, and 80.

Bond wt. (17 by

22 inches)

Text/Book wt.

(25 by 38

inches)

Cover wt. (20 by

26 inches)

Bristol wt. (22.5

by 28.5 inches)

Index wt. (25.5

by 30.5 inches)

Tag wt. (24 by 36

inches)

Metric wt.

16 lb 41 lb 22 lb 27 lb 33 lb 37 lb

60 g/m

17 lb 43 lb 24 lb 29 lb 35 lb 39 lb

64 g/m

20 lb 50 lb * 28 lb 34 lb 42 lb 46 lb

75 g/m

21 lb 54 lb 30 lb 36 lb 44 lb 49 lb

80 g/m

24 lb 60 lb * 33 lb 41 lb 50 lb 55 lb

90 g/m

27 lb 68 lb 37 lb 45 lb 55 lb 61 lb

100 g/m

28 lb 70 lb * 39 lb 49 lb 58 lb 65 lb

105 g/m

29 lb 74 lb 41 lb 50 lb 61 lb 68 lb

110 g/m

32 lb 80 lb * 44 lb 55 lb 67 lb 74 lb

120 g/m

36 lb 90 lb 50 lb 62 lb 75 lb 83 lb

135 g/m

39 lb 100 lb 55 lb 67 lb 82 lb 91 lb

148 g/m

40 lb 101 lb 55 lb 68 lb 83 lb 92 lb

150 g/m

43 lb 110 lb 60 lb 74 lb 90 lb 100 lb

163 g/m

45 lb 115 lb 63 lb 77 lb 94 lb 104 lb

170 g/m

47 lb 119 lb 65 lb 80 lb 97 lb 108 lb

176 g/m

51 lb 128 lb 70 lb 86 lb 105 lb 117 lb

190 g/m

53 lb 134 lb 74 lb 90 lb 110 lb 122 lb

199 g/m

54 lb 137 lb 75 lb 93 lb 113 lb 125 lb

203 g/m

58 lb 146 lb 80 lb 98 lb 120 lb 133 lb

216 g/m

65 lb 165 lb 90 lb 111 lb 135 lb 150 lb

244 g/m

66 lb 169 lb 92 lb 114 lb 138 lb 154 lb

250 g/m

67 lb 171 lb 94 lb 115 lb 140 lb 155 lb

253 g/m

70 lb 178 lb 98 lb 120 lb 146 lb 162 lb

264 g/m

72 lb 183 lb 100 lb 123 lb 150 lb 166 lb

271 g/m

28 Chapter 4 Specifications

Standard media sizes used in laser printers

The tables in this section provide the English and metric dimensions of the most commonly used paper,

envelopes, and cardstock.

NOTE: See the support documentation that came with your HP LaserJet printer for details about the

media that the printer supports. Use only media that is supported.

Paper sizes and dimensions

This table lists the sizes and the English and metric dimensions of the most commonly used paper.

Size English dimension Metric dimension

Letter 8.5 by 11.0 inches 215.9 by 279.4 mm

Legal 8.5 by 14.0 inches 215.9 by 355.6 mm

Folio/foolscap 8.50 by 13.00 inches 215.9 by 330.2 mm

Executive 7.25 by 10.50 inches 184.2 by 266.7 mm

Tabloid/ledger 11.0 by 17.0 inches 279.4 by 431.8 mm

Ledger full bleed 12.0 by 18.0 inches 304.8 by 457.2 mm

A3 11.69 by 16.54 inches 297 by 420 mm

RA3 12.01 by 16.93 inches 305 by 430 mm

A3 full bleed 12.28 by 17.32 inches 312 by 440 mm

A4 8.27 by 11.70 inches 210 by 297 mm

A5 5.83 by 8.27 inches 148 by 210 mm

B4 (JIS) 10.12 by 14.33 inches 257 by 364 mm

B4 (ISO) 9.84 by 13.90 inches 250 by 353 mm

B5 (JIS) 7.17 by 10.12 inches 182 by 257 mm

B5 (ISO) 6.93 by 9.84 inches 176 by 250 mm

8K 10.63 by 15.35 inches 270 by 390 mm

16K 7.68 by 10.63 inches 195 by 270 mm

32K 5.32 by 7.68 inches 135 by 195 mm

Envelope sizes and dimensions

This table lists the sizes and the English and metric dimensions of the most commonly used envelopes.

Size

English dimension Metric dimension

U.S. #6 3/4 (personal) 3.63 by 6.50 inches 92.1 by 465.1 mm

U.S. #8 5/8 (check) 3.63 by 8.63 inches 92.1 by 219.1 mm

U.S. #9 3.88 by 8.88 inches 98.4 by 225.4 mm

Standard media sizes used in laser printers 29

Size English dimension Metric dimension

U.S. #10 (com10) 4.13 by 9.50 inches 104.9 by 241.3 mm

U.S. #11 4.50 by 10.38 inches 114.3 by 263.5 mm

U.S. #5 1/2 baronial 4.38 by 5.75 inches 111.1 by 146.1 mm

U.S. #6 baronial 4.75 by 6.50 inches 120.7 by 165.1 mm

U.S. #7 3/4 (Monarch) 3.88 by 7.50 inches 98.4 by 190.5 mm

U.S. A2 announcement 4.38 by 5.75 inches 111.1 by 146.1 mm

U.S. A6 announcement 4.75 by 6.50 inches 120.7 by 165.1 mm

ISO B5 6.93 by 9.84 inches 176 by 250 mm

ISO C5 6.38 by 9.02 inches 162 by 229 mm

ISO C5/6 4.49 by 9.02 inches 114 by 229 mm

ISO C6 4.49 by 6.38 inches 114 by 162 mm

ISO DL 4.33 by 8.66 inches 110 by 220 mm

Cardstock sizes and dimensions

This table lists the sizes and the English and metric dimensions of the most commonly used cardstock.

Size

English dimension Metric dimension

Index card (3x5) 3.00 by 5.00 inches 76.2 by 127 mm

Index card (4x6) 4.00 by 6.00 inches 101.6 by 152.4 mm

Index card (5x8) 5.00 by 8.00 inches 127 by 203.2 mm

U.S. postcard 3.50 by 5.50 inches 88.9 by 139.7 mm

European postcard 4.13 by 5.83 inches 105 by 148 mm

J postcard (hagaki) 3.94 by 5.83 inches 100 by 148 mm

J double postcard (oufuku hagaki) 5.83 by 7.87 inches 148 by 200 mm

Comparisons of paper smoothness

Smoothness is typically expressed in terms of Sheffield, Gurley, Bekk, or Bendtsen units. HP LaserJet

printers generally require a smoothness of between 100 and 200 Sheffield.

Chapter 4 Specifications

Figure 4-1 Comparisons of paper smoothness

100

300

200

100

150

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

100

200

250

300

400

100

200

250

300

400

Gurley S-P-S

(S PSI)

(SEC/100 CC)

Sheffield

(CC by 10

-2

/MIN)

Bendtsen

(1 KG/CM

)

(CC/MIN)

Bekk

(SEC/10 CC)

Comparisons of paper smoothness 31

Ordering HP print media5

You can order HP print media from HP or from a local reseller.

If you are interested in purchasing HP print media, go to the website https://hppaper.com/.

NOTE: When ordering media, reference GSM or grams/square meter. There can be confusion about

the meaning of "lb" (for example, 75 GSM is 20lb Bond, 28lb Cover, and 42lb Index). If you are unsure,

refer to the GSM specifications when ordering media. See also Weight equivalence table for the

equivalent weights for different grades of paper.

To order HP print media outside the U.S., contact your local sales office.

Chapter 5 Ordering HP print media

Glossary

A-series of paper sizes

The ISO A-series of paper sizes is based on the Lichtenberg Ratio, which is an aspect ratio of 1 to the

square root of 2. A0 size paper is 841 by 1,189 mm in size, which is 1 square meter in area and has a 1.414:1

aspect ratio. Each subsequent size is half the area (determined by halving the long dimension). If the

value is an odd number (for example, 1,189 mm), then the subsequent value after halving is truncated (for

example, 594 mm). The aspect ratio of 1:1.414 is maintained throughout the A-series of paper sizes.

basic size

Basic size is a specified size for a grade of paper. Basic sizes have evolved from custom and usage.

basis weight

Basis weight is the weight of a ream of paper (500 sheets) that has been cut to the basic size. Basis

weight is an important characteristic of paper. Paper that is too light or too heavy can cause misfeeds,

misstacking, jams, poor print quality, or excessive mechanical wear to the printer.

brightness

Brightness refers to the reflectance and whiteness of a sheet of paper. Higher brightness papers are

more expensive to produce and are usually associated with higher quality.

caliper

Caliper is the thickness of a sheet of paper or other print media. It is typically specified in mils

(one-thousandth of an inch) or millimeters. It is closely associated with paper weight but not directly

associated, because some papers have more bulk (more density) than others.

carrier sheet

The carrier sheet is the sheet to which labels are temporarily attached. Usually this sheet has a “slick”

feeling or appears shiny.

composition

Composition (furnish) is the mixture of various materials, such as fiber, filler, sizing materials, and other

additives, that are used to make the paper stock. Fillers such as calcium carbonate, clay, or talc are

added to paper to fill in the spaces between fibers.

For optimum performance of your HP LaserJet printer, use paper that is made from 100 percent

chemical wood pulp or cotton fiber. Recycled paper, made with no more than 5 percent groundwood, is

also acceptable. To ensure that paper of a special fiber composition will work correctly in your printer,

test it before purchasing large quantities.

copier paper

A grade of paper that is suitable for printing in the electrophotographic process. This paper is

characterized by having a smooth finish, heat stability, non-curling qualities, and good aesthetic

properties (such as color, brightness, and cleanliness).

Glossary

curl

The amount of curvature or wave in a sheet before or after printing. Sheets might curl before printing

if they are exposed to humid conditions or very dry conditions. Residual stresses in the sheet or high

moisture content can also affect the level of curl after printing. Good process control by the paper

manufacturer and proper paper storage and handling will minimize curl problems.

Curl is typically measured by laying the sheet of paper on a flat surface and measuring the height of the

corners. There are two types of curl:

● In-ream curl is the amount of curl in a sheet of paper before printing. In-ream curl results from the paper-

manufacturing process or from exposure to the environment. Paper with excessive in-ream curl might lead to

feeding and print-quality problems.

● Post-image curl is the amount of curl in a sheet of paper after printing. Post-image curl results from exposure

to the fusing process and the paper path in the printer. Paper that has excessive post-image curl can be

difficult to handle or to use in automatic-feed photocopiers.

cut-edge condition

Condition of the edges of paper, which can affect paper’s ability to feed properly.

cutouts

Any portion of the media that has been removed, including binder holes, notches, square cuts.

density

Relative darkness of the print.

die-cuts

Cuts between individual labels. Die-cuts are made by a machine in a predefined pattern.

duplexing

Printing on both the front and back sides of a sheet of paper.

electrical properties

The electrical resistivity of the print media. The electrical resistivity of the paper is one of the most

important properties for copier- and laser-grade papers. If resistance is too high, static buildup problems

can occur with paper handling and print quality. If electrical resistivity is too low, poor image transfer and

low density can result. Generally, paper has very high resistance, so paper manufacturers add salts or

other materials to lower the resistivity.

face sheet

The face sheet is the printable surface on a sheet of adhesive labels. It can be made from different

materials, including paper, polyester, and vinyl. It is common for a face sheet to be die-cut so that

individual shapes can be removed after printing. Polyester and vinyl labels require a topcoat to

provide the proper electrical and toner adhesion properties. It is important to purchase labels from

a knowledgeable supplier who is familiar with these processes and with laser printing.

felt side versus wire side

Some methods of manufacturing paper result in two-sided paper that has properties that differ from

one side to the other. Along with other process variations, these properties can make one side of the

paper the preferred side on which to print. The “top” side of the paper sheet, as it is formed, is known

as the felt side. The “bottom” side is known as the wire side. Most manufacturers indicate the preferred

printing side on the package. See Reading a ream label.

Glossary

finish/smoothness

Characterizes a paper’s finish. Textured paper causes inconsistent or blotchy print and can wrinkle.

Printed output on textured paper might have broken character edges and show poor toner adhesion.

Glossy-smooth paper tends to highlight defects and might not hold toner. For best results, use smooth

paper.

Paper for laser printers should not have a heavy texture or a glossy smoothness unless the paper is

specifically designed to work with your HP LaserJet printer. If you want to use a glossy paper in the HP

color LaserJet printer, try HP’s soft gloss and high gloss paper (see Ordering HP print media). For sharp

resolution or detail, use a smooth paper.

Paper finish is typically measured by using air-leak methods. We recommend a range for smoothness

that uses the Sheffield method. Equivalent values for other methods can be found in Comparisons of

paper smoothness.

Avoid using paper that has embossed or raised surfaces, because spotty printing and misfeeding can

occur. It is possible to print satisfactorily on paper that has embossed areas in the leading edge, trailing

edge, or areas where print will not appear on the paper; however, misfeeding or jamming can occur.

finishing precision

Dimensions (length and width) of a piece of media, how closely it is cut to the stated size, and how

square it is. Use media that is accurately cut, so that it can be handled properly.

furnish (composition)

Composition (furnish) is the mixture of various materials, such as fiber, filler, sizing materials, and other

additives, that is used to make the paper stock.

fusing compatibility

Compatibility of print media used in the printer and how it reacts when exposed to the fuser temperature

of:

● 205°C (401°F) for 0.1 second (0.2 second for HP color LaserJet printers) for paper, labels, and envelopes; and

● 205°C (401°F) for 0.1 second (0.4 second for HP color LaserJet printers) for overhead transparency materials.

Print media should not discolor, melt, offset, release undesirable emissions, or break down in any way

when exposed to these temperatures for the specified time period.

grain

The orientation of paper fibers in paper. Fibers tend to align themselves in the process direction of the

paper machine. Papers are stiffer in the grain direction. Most cut sheet papers are cut long grain (that is,

with the grain direction parallel with the long edge of the sheet). For heavier-weight papers (greater than

135 g/m

in weight), HP recommends using short-grain paper, if available, to improve feeding and reduce

wear to the paper path.

grammage

Grammage is the metric standard for specifying paper weight and is expressed in grams per square

meter.

gray background

Paper looks gray or appears dirty because small toner particles are transferred to non-printed areas

(white space), and can be corrected by changing paper or increasing the toner density setting on your

printer. This condition is a symptom of a print-quality problem.

Glossary

groundwood

Wood fibers that are extracted using a mechanical rather than a chemical process. Groundwood papers

are generally weaker than chemical-wood papers.

ISO

International Standards Organization.

JIS

Japanese Industrial Standards.

MFP

Multifunction peripheral; also known as multifunction product or multifunction printer.

mils

One mil equals 0.001 inches.

moisture content

How much moisture print media will absorb or lose, depending on the humidity in the surrounding air.

Paper is hygroscopic, that is, it will absorb or lose moisture depending on the humidity in the air around

it. The moisture content of paper has a great effect on its resistivity. Paper will absorb moisture in a

high-humidity environment and lose moisture in a low humidity environment. Small increases in moisture

content greatly reduce resistivity while small decreases in moisture content greatly increase resistivity.

Moisture content can also affect other paper properties such as curl, stiffness, and dimensional size.

Higher moisture content can make paper prone to curl and wrinkling during printing, make a sheet limp,

and increase the dimensions of a cut sheet. Paper performance can change significantly with seasonal

or weather changes, which affect the humidity in the printing environment.

packaging

Packaging is an important consideration when using paper in an HP LaserJet printer, because adequate

packaging maintains the correct level of moisture and protects paper from damage during transport

and storage.

perforations and micro-perforations

A hole or series of holes punched through the paper to aid in the separation of one piece of paper from

another.

Refers to the acidity/alkalinity of paper as determined by the TAPPI (Technical Association of the Pulp

and Paper Industry) cold-extraction method.

photocopy paper

See

copier paper

post-consumer waste

Manufactured material that the customer has used. Post-consumer waste can be office paper, mail,

used boxes, old newspapers, or magazines.

pre-consumer waste

Material that never reaches the customer after it has been manufactured. Pre-consumer waste can

be unused paper stock, bindery trimmings, envelope cuttings, business forms, or unsold books or

magazines.

Glossary

print media

Paper, envelopes, cardstock, overhead transparencies, and labels that are used with printers. Print

media used in HP LaserJet printers must meet the guidelines and specifications listed in this guide.

ream

A ream is a quantity of 500 sheets of paper. Paper is often packaged and sold in reams.

simplex

Printing on one side of a sheet of paper.

smoothness

Surface smoothness is determined by measuring the rate of air flow between the sheet surface and a

flat reference surface. Smoothness usually is expressed in Sheffield or Bekk units.

stiffness

How resistant print media is to bending or flexing. A minimum stiffness is required in order for paper

to separate from the rollers inside of the printer. Most long-grain papers that are heavier than 60 g/m

will have adequate stiffness to transport through the printer. Generally, stiffness increases with paper

weight.

surface roughness

Surface roughness of papers can affect print quality, feeding, and fusing (toner adhesion). If paper is

very smooth, background particles are more easily seen, and sheets tend to stick together and create

multiple-sheet feeds. Very rough papers can degrade transfer of toner onto the page, causing jagged

edges or toner scatter. Fusing (toner adhesion) can also be drastically reduced on very rough papers.

Roughness is usually measured using an air leak method such as the Sheffield method. Typical Sheffield

values for different paper surfaces are in the following approximate ranges:

● 120 to 150 for photocopy grades (wove or regular finishes)

● 40 to 60 for very smooth laser or coated grades

● 250 to 300 for cockle finishes

● greater than 350 for traditional linen and laid finishes

waste paper

A generic term used for post-consumer waste and some pre-consumer waste.

watermark

An impression made in a wet sheet of paper as it is being manufactured. Watermarks are visible when

the sheet is held up to light. They appear as a word, symbol, or other impression.

Glossary

Index

acclimating media 3, 18

accuracy specifications,

dimensional 10

acylic-based adhesives 15

adhesive labels

See

labels, adhesive

alignment, troubleshooting 22

alkalinity

archival paper 6

archival paper

alkalinity 6

automatic duplexing 17

background toner particles,

troubleshooting 25

basis weight 28

envelope specifications 14

equivalence tables 27

paper specifications 10

Bekk units 30

Bendtsen units 30

bond grade 27, 28

bond paper 3, 6

book grade 27, 28

Bristol grade 27, 28

calcium carbonate fillers 3, 22

caliper

envelope specifications 14

label specifications 15

overhead transparency

specifications 17

paper specifications 10

carbonless papers, avoiding 6

cardstock 6

standard sizes 30

troubleshooting 22

carrier sheets

labels 15

carrier sheets, labels 15

cartons, storing 18

characters, malformed or wavy,

troubleshooting 25

checklist, troubleshooting 20

chemical stability

specifications 6

clasps, avoiding envelopes

with 11

coated paper 3, 6, 21

cockle finishes 6

colored paper 6

composition, paper

specifications 10

conditioning media 3, 18

converted media 6

copier-grade paper 6

cotton fiber papers 3, 6

cover grade 27, 28

cover stock

See

cardstock

curl 6

envelope specifications 14

paper specifications 10

preventing 18

customer support 2

cutouts, specifications 6, 10

debossed paper 6

defective paper 6

Dennison scale 10

density, toner

settings 25

die-cuts, specifications 6

dimensions

accuracy specifications 10

cardstock 30

envelopes 13, 29

paper 29

double-sided printing 17

dropouts, troubleshooting 25

duplex printing

automatic 17

manual 17

dyes, temperature

specifications 21

edgeweld, troubleshooting 22

electrical surface resistivity

overhead transparency

specifications 17

paper specifications 10

electrostatic transfer

operations 1

embossed paper 6

encapsulated adhesives,

avoiding 12

engraved paper 6

envelope feeders 11

envelopes

feeding, troubleshooting 20

frequent jams 24

gray areas,

troubleshooting 25

guidelines for using 14

large 13

printers supporting 11

specifications 12-14

standard sizes 29

storing 18

testing 13

trays 11

troubleshooting problems 24

wrinkled, troubleshooting 25

environmental considerations

acclimating media 18

storing and using media 18

environments

acclimating media 18

storing media 18

equivalence tables

basis weight 27

cardstock sizes 30

envelope sizes 29

paper sizes 29

paper smoothness 30

Sheffield method 30

face sheets

labels 15

fanning paper 4

feeding problems

duplexing 17

envelopes 24

paper 22

Index

preprinted paper 6

fillers 3, 22

film, transparency

See

overhead transparencies

flimsy paper, troubleshooting 22

folders, vinyl 6, 18

forms

multipart, avoiding 21

preprinted 6

furnish, specifications 10

fuser 1

buildup on 6

temperature specifications 10

glossary 33

glossy paper 6

glued paper 6

grades, paper 28

grain

curling, affects on 23

envelopes 14

identifying 4

paper specifications 10

gray areas on envelopes

troubleshooting 25

guidelines

for using envelopes 14

for using labels 15

for using media 3

for using overhead

transparencies 17

for using paper 10

Gurley units 30

heat, fuser 1

temperature specifications 10

heavy paper 6

standard sizes 30

troubleshooting 22

hollow images,

troubleshooting 25

HP color LaserJet printers

media designed for 1

HP envelope testing 13

HP LaserJet printers

bond paper, using 3

HP monochrome LaserJet

printers 1

HP print media, ordering 32

HP Sales and Services offices 2

HP website 2

humidity, storing media 18

index cards, sizes 30

index grade 27, 28

inks, heat-resistant 6

input tray, loading 4, 22

jams

envelopes 24

paper 22

troubleshooting 22

labels

recommendations for

using 16

selecting 15

using 15

labels, adhesive

die-cut 6

guidelines for using 15

specifications 15

storing 15

labels, ream 4

laid finishes 6

landscape orientation 23

laser printers, standard media

sizes 29

laser-grade paper 6

LaserJet printers, how they

work 1

letterhead

specifications 6

types 3, 6

light paper, troubleshooting 22

linen paper 6

liner, labels 15

envelopes 24

paper 4, 22

low-temperature inks, avoiding 6

manual duplexing 17

margins

die-cut paper 6

embossed images 6

media

acclimating 3

conditioning 3

preparing 3

storing 3

media type and size, setting 5

metric system

envelope sizes 29, 30

paper sizes 29

weight equivalence table 28

misalignment,

troubleshooting 22

moisture

envelope specifications 14

paper specifications 10

monochrome printers 1

multipart forms

avoiding 21

multiple-sheet feeds

causes of 4

troubleshooting 22

non-HP media 3

offset powders 6

oil-based inks 6

opening

paper 4

reams 4

ordering HP print media 32

orientation

landscape 23

loading paper 4

portrait 23

overhead transparencies

guidelines for using 17

specifications 16, 17

supported 16

oxidation-set inks 6

packaging

ream labels 4

specifications 10

storing paper in 18

pallets, shipping 18

paper

basic size 27

basis weights 27

common grades 27

guidelines for using 10

jammed 21

problems 21

specifications 27

paper grades, U.S. 27

paper jams

duplexing 17

Index

envelopes 24

frequent 22

preprinted paper 6

troubleshooting 22

paper smoothness, comparisons

of 30

perforations, paper

specifications 6

petroleum-based solvents,

avoiding 6

pH specifications 6

photosensitive drum 1, 6

pigment-coated paper 6

plain paper 3, 6

plasticizers, avoiding 6

portrait orientation 23

post-image curl

reducing 23

troubleshooting 23

postcards 6

sizes 30

powders, offset 6

preparing media 3, 18

preprinted paper 6

jams 6

prepunched paper 6

pressure-sensitive adhesives,

avoiding 12

print media

activities 3

problems, troubleshooting 20

types 3

types to avoid 21

using 3

print-quality problems,

troubleshooting 25

printing on both sides of the

paper 17

punched paper 6

reams

acclimating 3, 18

labels 4

opening 4

storing 18

recycled paper

specifications 6

reducing post-image curl 23

resistivity, electrical

overhead transparency

specifications 17

paper specifications 10

rough paper 3, 6

roughness

envelope specifications 14

paper specifications 10

Sales and Services Offices, HP 2

scanning laser beam 1

sealers, envelopes 12

separating paper 4, 22

setting

media size and type 5

Sheffield method 30

shipping media 18

sides of paper

loading correctly 4

printing on both 17

sizes

accuracy specifications 10

cardstock 30

envelopes 13, 29

index cards 30

paper 29

postcards 30

smeared toner,

troubleshooting 25

specialty paper 6

specifications, paper 27

standard media sizes used in laser

printers 29

standard sizes

cardstock 30

envelopes 29

paper 29

static transfer operations 1

stiffness

specifications 6

troubleshooting 22

storing media 3

acclimating 18

environment for 18

environments for 18

labels, adhesive 15

support, customer 2

surface resistivity, electrical

overhead transparency

specifications 17

paper specifications 10

surface roughness

envelope specifications 14

paper specifications 10

tag grade 27, 28

talc fillers 3, 22

temperature specifications

preprinted paper 6, 10

storing and using media 18

terminology definitions 33

testing media

envelopes 13

non-HP 3

text grade 27, 28

thermography 6

thick paper

See

heavy paper

thin paper, troubleshooting 22

toner 1

chemical stability of 6

density 25

toner smear, troubleshooting 25

toner specks (background scatter),

troubleshooting 25

torn paper 10

transfer, electrostatic 1

transparencies, overhead

specifications 17

troubleshooting

alignment 22

background toner particles 25

cardstock 22

checklist 20

dropouts 25

edgeweld 22

envelopes 20, 24

flimsy paper 22

gray areas on envelopes 25

heavy paper 22

hollow images 25

light paper 22

malformed or wavy

characters 25

misalignment 22

multiple-sheet feeds 22

paper jams 22

post-image curl 23

print defects 20

print media 20, 21

print-quality problems 25

smeared toner 25

stiffness 22

tasks, basic 20

thin paper 22

toner smear 25

toner specks (background

scatter) 25

wrinkled envelopes 25

two-sided printing 17

types of paper 6

Index

U.S. paper grades 27, 28

vinyl folders, avoiding 6, 18

volume resistivity, specifications

for 10

warping, preventing 18

warranty, HP 3

watermarks, paper with 3, 6

wave

See

curl

websites

HP 2

weight

basis, equivalence tables 27

envelope specifications 12, 14

equivalence table 28

heavy paper 6, 22

paper specifications 10

ream label 4

windows, avoiding envelopes

with 11

wrapping

ream labels 4

specifications 10

storing media 18

wrinkled envelopes,

troubleshooting 25

zone coating, adhesives 15

Index

HP LASERJET ENTERPRISE FLOW MFP 8601Z+ AI-enabled

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HP LASERJET ENTERPRISE FLOW MFP 8601Z+ Questions and Answers