HP Color LaserJet 3800 Printer series - Manual (Page 183)

Print-quality troubleshooting
If you are experiencing problems with print quality, the following sections might help you identify the
cause of the problem.
Print-quality problems associated with media
Some print-quality problems arise from the use of inappropriate media.
● Use media that meets HP paper specifications. See Supported media sizes .
● The surface of the media is too smooth. Use paper that meets HP paper specifications. See
Supported media sizes .
● The moisture content is uneven, too high, or too low. Use media from a different source or from an
unopened ream.
● Some areas of the media reject toner. Use media from a different source or from an unopened
ream.
● The letterhead you are using is printed on rough paper. Use a smoother, xerographic paper. If this
solves your problem, ask the supplier of your letterhead to use paper that meets the specifications
for this printer. See
Supported media sizes .
● The paper is excessively rough. Use a smoother, xerographic paper.
● The driver setting is incorrect. To change the media type setting, see Type and Size .
● The media that you are using is too heavy for the media type setting that you selected, and the
toner is not fusing to the media.
Overhead transparency defects
Overhead transparencies can display the same image-quality problems as other types of media and
also defects that are specific to printing on transparencies. Also, because transparencies are pliable in
the print path, the paper-handling components can mark their surface.
NOTE The HP Color LaserJet 3000 series printers do not support printing in color on
transparencies.
NOTE Allow transparencies to cool for at least 30 seconds before handling them.
● In the printer driver Paper tab, select Transparency as the paper type. Also, make sure that the
tray is correctly configured for transparencies.
● Make sure that the transparencies meet the specifications for this printer. See Supported media
sizes .
● The transparencies are not designed for correct toner adhesion. Use only transparencies that are
designed for HP Color LaserJet printers.
● Handle transparencies by the edges. Oil from fingers can cause spots and smudges.
● Small, random, dark areas on the trailing edge of solid-fill pages might result when transparencies
stick together in the output bin. Try printing the job in smaller batches.
ENWW Print-quality troubleshooting 169