People in your organization depend on your print fleet, from the sophisticated, cloud-based all-in-one to the humble desktop model. Is your printer paper up to the task?
Though one sheet of plain white stock may look the same as the next, paper comes in a range of styles that may – or may not – suit your multifunction printer. A set of sheets that is too thick, or that has absorbed too much moisture, for instance, can lead to hard copies that emerge wrinkled, smudged … or not at all.
Buying paper on price alone isn’t the answer. While it’s safe to say that many brands of the lowest-priced stock may lack quality and performance, it’s also true that the most expensive brands are sometimes not the ideal choice either.
Generally, look for these qualities in your printer papers:
Weight
Paper is weighed according to a set of 500 sheets. The weight of everyday copy paper is 20 lbs., while heavy paper – the kind used for certificates, for example – could weigh up to 32 lbs. Paper lighter than the minimum weight could cause multiple sheets to go through the paper drawer; we’ve all seen the phenomenon of extra, blank sheets coming out with our hard copies. Conversely, too-heavy paper may jam in the machine.
Moisture content
Paper fibers absorb moisture from the environment in addition to that already contained in the sheets. While “too dry” paper is seldom an issue, overly “moisturized” sheets can stick together and may jam the printer. If wrinkled copies are an issue in your office, consider that the paper may be exposed to a more humid atmosphere than recommended. According to one source, the optimum relative humidity for paper storage is 40-50% at 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
Brightness
Typically, a bright white stock is the best choice for high-resolution prints. But “brightness” is based on a scale of coloration and shade. “A balanced (or neutral) white shade of paper, often called ‘true white,’ reflects the total color spectrum equally,” notes Xerox. “A cream white shade absorbs the blues and cooler colors and will usually have a yellowish tint. A blue white shade absorbs the warmer colors and reflects more blues or cooler colors.”
Learn more
A Managed Print Services (MPS) representative can give you advice on identifying the best paper for your print fleet – and keep you stocked consistently to prevent downtime.
