Keep Your Paper Happy and Your Office Will Be Too!
May 28, 2013
Aaarrgh! The copier is jammed again! Who has time to waste pulling bits of paper from the machine, hands full of ink and toner, knuckles scraped, and when all else fails, waiting for a service tech? The frustration level rises in your office every time there is a problem with your copier or multifunction device. Follow these tips to keep your paper happy, and you will be too.
• Paper Quality - Sub-standard paper can curl up at the corners, causing paper jams when the unit pulls paper from the tray or when the paper is stapled. Inferior paper is not properly finished and is lighter in weight, causing problems when feeding through the machine. It can also leave excessive paper dust in the machine.
• Humidity Levels - Excess moisture in the paper causes problems in a laser printer or copier during the heat and pressure printing process and can cause paper to wrinkle, jam, or results in poor print quality. Don’t load paper that is uneven, lumpy, or bumpy. If your office is not climate controlled 24/7, don’t unwrap a ream of paper before you use it. The paper in your machine is also subject to the humidity levels, so place what you need in the machine and keep the rest wrapped. For those offices that close for an extended period of time, such as schools, empty your copiers and printers and restock when necessary.
• Alignment of Paper in Tray - Before you load paper into your machine, fan, flex, and straighten it to make sure the pages aren’t stuck together. Ensure guides are tight against the paper in the tray to prevent skewing or jamming. Never overload the tray. Make sure the paper is under the capacity mark on the inside of the paper tray.
• Selecting Paper Type For the Print Job - Change the settings on your unit or in the print options when printing your job. For instance, the thick paper setting slows the machine down slightly to allow for proper ink adhesion during the print process. Don’t mix and match different types of paper in the tray.
• Use Correct Paper for Your Type of Machine - Inkjet printers should use paper specifically designed for that process. The paper is designed to absorb the ink and give you a better final product. However, that type of paper in a copier or laser printer can absorb oil from the fuser rollers and cause paper to stick. Those units need paper designed for plain paper copiers.
If you do end up needing our help, please make note of the jam code displayed on your machine when giving us a call. It can provide valuable clues to make sure we are prepared when arriving at your door.
Office equipment should help you be more productive and efficient, not drive you crazy! Understanding the importance of paper quality is just one element in getting the most out of your copier or multi-function device. Whether you find yourself in a real paper jam, or want to know how Martin Group can help you choose the products and services that are right for you, call us today at (262) 248-8911.
