Print media guidelines, Paper, Paper characteristics – Dell W5300 Workgroup Laser Printer User Manual
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Print media guidelines
Storing print media
Identifying print media sources and specifications
Print media is paper, card stock, transparencies, labels, and envelopes. Your printer provides high quality
printing on a variety of print media. Selecting the appropriate print media for your printer helps you avoid
printing problems. This chapter provides information on how to help you make print media selections, how to
care for the print media, and how to load it in the standard tray or optional trays.
Paper
For the best print quality, use 75 g/m
2
(20 lb) xerographic, grain long paper. Try a sample of any paper you
are considering using with the printer before buying large quantities.
When loading paper, note the recommended print side on the paper package, and load paper accordingly.
See
Loading print media in standard and optional trays
and
Using and loading the multipurpose feeder
for
detailed loading instructions.
Paper characteristics
The following paper characteristics affect print quality and reliability. We recommend that you follow these
guidelines when evaluating new paper stock.
Weight
The printer can automatically feed paper weights from 60 to 135 g/m
2
(16 to 36 lb bond) grain long. Paper
lighter than 60 g/m
2
(16 lb) might not be stiff enough to feed properly, causing jams. For best performance,
use 75 g/m
2
(20 lb bond) grain long paper. To use paper narrower than 182 x 257 mm (7.2 x 10.1 in.), we
recommend that the weight be greater than or equal to 90 g/m
2
(24 lb bond).
Curl
Curl is the tendency of print media to curve at its edges. Excessive curl can cause paper feeding problems.
Curl usually occurs after the paper passes through the printer, where it is exposed to high temperatures.
Storing paper unwrapped in humid conditions, even in the paper tray, can contribute to paper curling prior to
printing and can cause feeding problems, also.
Smoothness
The degree of smoothness of paper directly affects print quality. If the paper is too rough, the toner does not
fuse to the paper properly, resulting in poor print quality. If the paper is too smooth, it can cause paper
feeding problems. Smoothness needs to be between 100 and 300 Sheffield points; however, smoothness
between 150 and 250 Sheffield points produces the best print quality.