Preventative Paper Care
Paper jams are extremely frustrating, especially in a busy environment. Clearing a paper jam is typically a simple process, but taking proper care of your printer paper could help to minimize jam issues altogether, as well as increase the overall quality of documents. There are a few precautions and steps you can take to ensure your paper is in the best condition before loading. Some may seem obvious, but you might be surprised by the difference they can make.
- Do not store the boxes of paper on the ground. Use a pallet, closet, or shelf of some kind.
- Do not expose the paper to extreme temperatures or humidity. It is recommended to store printer paper in approximately 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit.
- When stacking boxes of paper, be sure to do so carefully so the edges of the stacks of paper do not get damaged.
- Always store the paper on a flat service so as to not create a bend or curl. Printer paper must remain completely flat.
- Be sure not to stack more than 5 boxes of paper.
- Do not store paper in the tray of the printer when it is not in use for extended periods of time.
- Only remove paper from the ream wrapper once it is ready to be loaded. The ream wrapper will typically have a lining that offers more protection from moisture and humidity.
- Reseal the ream wrapper to protect the remaining sheets that have not been loaded. You can even go as far as to use a re-sealable bag to hold the paper once the ream has been compromised, especially in a particularly humid environment.
- When dealing with coated paper, always store it in a sealable bag or covered box as it is more sensitive to the elements than regular paper.
When paper is exposed to any kind of dampness, it can hinder the quality of the document because the ink or toner cannot bind properly with the fibers of the paper. It can also cause the paper to curl and and jam. If you do not handle the cartons or individual reams with care, a slight bend or crushed corner can cause issues as well. By following the simple steps above you may be able to eliminate hours of headaches and paper jams.
Posted in Printer Setup and Maintenance
6 Responses to “Preventative Paper Care”
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[…] If the resume light is flashing, the problem is related to the paper. It could be that the paper tray is empty, or that there is a paper jam. Check the paper tray and refill it if necessary. Also try removing the paper and reloading it into the tray. If you aren’t out of paper, there is probably a paper jam, so try to clear the paper jam and/or remove any fragments of paper that may be stuck. Once the paper is loaded properly and you have cleared any paper jam, press the “Resume” button to continue the print job. If you find that you are consistently experiencing paper problems, see our article on Preventative Paper Care. […]
[…] High-quality output requires good quality paper, and especially paper that is compatible with the type of printing you are doing. Make sure that your paper is designed for use with a laser printer, and that is dry, not sticking together, and is not bent or creased. For more tips on caring for paper, see our article on Preventative Paper Care. […]
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