Paper Quality and the Performance of Your Digital Copier

Your digital copier may feature all of the latest bells and whistles, but if your paper quality has been compromised, there is a very good chance that you won’t be pleased with the end result.

It’s no surprise that paper plays a critical role in the overall performance of your digital copier; however, the type and condition of the paper is often overlooked, which is one of the leading causes of jams, user frustration, and system downtime.

Even if you purchase premium quality paper to use in your digital printing system, the way that the paper is stored and loaded into the machine can dramatically impact the end result. Here are some valuable tips to keep in mind to help maintain paper quality and ensure that you are getting the most out of your digital copier:

Evaluate how you are currently storing your paper.

For the best results, you will want to store your paper in a dry location. It’s also recommended that you keep the paper in its packaging until you need to use it as moisture and other factors can compromise paper quality. One of the easiest ways to tell if the quality of the paper has been affected by outside elements is if the edges of the paper are curling up. Using such paper in your digital printing system will likely produce mediocre results.

Take the time to properly load the paper into your machine.

Employees in an office environment often rush through the printing process to move on to the next task. This may mean quickly refilling the tray with paper without paying close attention.

It’s always a good idea to first check the packaging of the paper to see if any guidelines or recommendations are offered for loading the paper into the tray. In many cases, the packaging will offer an arrow indicating how the paper should be loaded into the tray for optimum performance.

Another helpful tip is to always fan the paper before placing it in the tray. This will help to prevent paper from sticking together, which is often the culprit of jams.

Contact your Managed Print Services Provider today for solutions that include strategies for selecting and storing your paper.