Copier Paper Tips

Are you getting the most out of your copier paper? Find out from the experts.

By Kristen Monte

How do you know your in-plant is getting the best performance possible from its copier paper? In-Plant Graphics talked to suppliers of copier paper and uncovered some valuable tips for getting better quality. Read on to learn more.

Selecting Quality Copier Paper

• Mill-branded product is always quality product. Once the product is labeled under another brand, you are not guaranteed that you will always receive the same product from the same manufacturing facility.

—Dennis Essary, Stora Enso North America

• While a 20 lb. basis weight is considered standard for copying and electronic imaging applications, heavier-weight papers provide more bulk and stiffness, and are ideal for a higher-quality feel and consistent performance.

—Mary Jean Cashman, Weyerhaeuser

• The appearance of "mottling" stems directly from toner adhesion. Since all papers exhibit fiber formation characteristics, the trick is to find a color copy paper where paper formation is very even to prevent a mottled effect in printed areas.

—Laura Shore, Mohawk Paper Mills

Brightness And Smoothness

• Higher brightness gives you better contrast, which in turn gives your finished product a higher-quality appearance. Smoother paper gives better print quality.

—Dennis Essary, Stora Enso North America

• To produce color documents on digital copiers, consider a premium paper with high brightness and smoothness.

—Ted Nielsen, Domtar

• When you shop for brightness, also consider the shade. More neutral whites usually produce truer flesh tones and lighter colors with softer detail, while a subtle blue-white shade enhances rich, vibrant colors and sharp detail. Nothing can create the striking contrast needed to make crisp, clear images like a high-brightness sheet. That's why most specialty color copier sheets are produced to TAPPI brightness levels above 94 percent.

—Mary Jean Cashman, Weyerhaeuser

• To achieve the brightest color on your color copies, use a bright white paper. The brighter the paper, the more vibrant the color. Brightness is measured as a percentage of light in a narrow spectral range reflected from the surface of the paper. A paper with a brightness of 100 is extremely bright with almost all light being reflected back to the viewer.

—Laura Shore, Mohawk Paper Mills

• Lower brightness papers work best on high-volume work filled with text and numbers. Lower brightness papers are just easier on the eye.

—Mary Jean Cashman, Weyerhaeuser

• High-resolution jobs require smoother papers to capture and maintain the detail that is being printed. Papers designed for color copiers should provide an ultra-smooth surface in order to provide the clear, sharp images usually associated with color printing.

—Mary Jean Cashman, Weyerhaeuser

• To obtain the finest image quality, start with a smooth paper surface. Smoother surfaces yield finer image quality through better toner transfer and adhesion. This ultimately affects color quality and image permanence. The smoothness of the paper, or its flatness, affects toner receptivity. Smoothness is measured on the Sheffield scale. The lower the value, the smoother the paper. A digital print paper has a Sheffield of 40, where a vellum paper could be as high as 250.

—Laura Shore, Mohawk Paper Mills

Paper Storage

• The best office condition for storage is where the temperature is around 72 degrees with about 45 percent relative humidity

—Dennis Essary, Stora Enso North America

• The ideal conditions for storing copy paper are 45-50 percent relative humidity and temperatures from 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit.

—Ted Nielsen, Domtar

Loading Paper, Avoiding Jams

• To avoid paper jams, consider two things. The first is moisture level; lower moisture content ensures smooth throughput and no post-print curl. The second is precision sheeting; paper that has been precision sheeted prevents misfeeds and jams due to poor cut quality.

—Laura Shore, Mohawk Paper Mills

• To prevent paper misfeeds, do not overfill the paper tray.

—Pam Roueche, Hammermill Brand by International Paper

• Before loading any paper into a copier feed tray, always fan the ream. Also, periodically check the condition of the feed rollers. While new rollers are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace, it's amazing how much wear they can experience in a short time.

—Mary Jean Cashman, Weyerhaeuser

• A slight curl is built into the paper to assist the transport through the copier. When you are opening the ream of paper take note which side of the sheet is against the belly seam of the ream wrapper. Load sheets so that this side is imaged first.

—Pam Roueche, Hammermill Brand by IP

• If using a 28 lb. or heavier basis weight or coated paper, adjust the copier setting to match the type of paper you wish to use. Most paper settings can be accessed by going into the "media type" option on your copier.

—Pam Roueche, Hammermill Brand by IP

Better Runnability

• The best way to improve paper runnability is to leave it in its protective wrapper as long as possible prior to use. Paper performance is greatly affected by moisture, dust and temperature changes. Polylaminate ream wrappers protect the sheets from moisture changes and contaminants.

—Ted Nielsen, Domtar

• Condition the paper in the same room as the equipment 24 to 72 hours before running the paper.

—Dennis Essary, Stora Enso North America

• Paper exposed to sudden temperature changes can absorb too much moisture, which may affect image quality and printer performance. Paper should be removed from the tray and resealed in its original ream wrap to ensure optimal print quality and smooth runnability.

—Pam Roueche, Hammermill Brand by IP

Preprinted Paper

• Test the product first on the offset and copying equipment you intend to use. Keep open, pre-printed forms in moisture-controlled areas to improve performance. Papers with lower internal moisture levels are specially designed for pre-printed forms applications through copiers and laser printers.

—Ted Nielsen, Domtar

• Select a grade that is made to run through a copier. Make sure you run inks that are laser approved. Minimize water applied in the offset process. Protect the paper between that offset run and running it on the copier.

—Dennis Essary, Stora Enso North America

Folding Paper

• Use a sheet that has good toner adhesion for folding paper that has toner on the crease.

—Dennis Essary, Stora Enso North America

• Toner cracking and flaking at the fold occurs when toner doesn't fuse properly to the paper. Have the manufacturer check that the copier is reaching the proper temperature during the fusing process.

—Ted Nielsen, Domtar