Paper Tips

Paper Storage and Conditioning

Like any other high-performance, high-quality product, a little conditioning goes a long way with digital paper. It can make the difference between “okay” results and outstanding results!

For optimum conditioning, follow these storage guidelines:

Leave paper in its wrapper until you are ready to load it into the machine.
Do not store paper directly on the floor. Keep it on pallets or shelves or in cabinets.
Store paper at a temperature of 68°F/20°C to 76°F/24.4°C and a relative humidity of 35 to 55 percent.

Paper Stacking

Your paper order will normally be shipped to you in sturdy fiberboard cartons. The number of reams in each carton depends on the size and weight of the paper. If you have ordered a large quantity, the cartons will be stacked on wooden pallets. Stack individual reams or cartons carefully on top of one another. This will help you to avoid crushing the edges or causing any other damage. Pile cartons no more than five high. Pallets can be stacked three high.

Paper Handling

Treating paper cartons with care is extremely important. Dropping, throwing, striking with a forklift, or otherwise mishandling paper cartons can result in damaged paper. You may not even notice the damage until you have paper jams or other feeding problems.

Climate Control

Store your paper on shelves, pallets, or in cabinets rather than on the floor to avoid moisture absorption. Choose an area that’s protected from extreme temperatures and humidity. Temperature and humidity are critical factors in how digital paper performs in your copier or printer.

Most environments with air conditioning systems provide the proper mix of temperature and humidity. If you are in an environment that is not air conditioned, follow these guidelines:

Minimum temperature of 50°F/10°C with 15 percent relative humidity
Maximum temperature of 81°F/27.2°C with 85 percent relative humidity

Do Not Open Until…

To achieve best results, we recommend you leave packages sealed in their original wrapper within the shipping carton. Do not open the wrapper until you are ready to load the paper into your copier or printer.

Why? The package wrapper has an inner lining that guards against moisture absorption. Once you open the wrapper, the protective barrier is gone and moisture can seep in and cause excessive curling and other problems.

Once You Do Open…

After you open the package, reseal the wrapper with tape if you will not be using all the paper immediately; for example, if you’ll be leaving it unused overnight. Better still, store unused loose paper in a resealable plastic bag. Do not store paper in your machine’s paper trays.

Take sheets from the center of the package if a package if it has inadvertently been left open. Store coated paper in resealable bags or covered storage boxes after opening the original wrapper.

Moisture

Xerography is very sensitive to moisture in paper. High humidity causes damp edges and wavy paper. Low humidity dries paper edges and makes it contract and become tight. Poor performance is the result! That is why it is so important to condition your paper.

As a rule, condition uncoated paper a minimum of 24 hours and coated paper a minimum of 48 hours. Transparencies and label stock also require conditioning — 24 hours and 72 hours, respectively. Separating cartons accelerates the conditioning process.

Repacking

Equally important to the steps taken before printing, are the steps taken to ensure a quality product is delivered to your binder, finisher or end user. Here are a few helpful tips:

Print with the least amount of heat needed to set ink
The sheets should be covered once printed, especially if there is lag time between print and bindery
Finished projects should be placed into plastic bags or wrap, cardboard boxed, palletized and plastic wrapped