How Paper Affects Printing

stacks of printer paper on and around copier

It's easy to guess that paper has a lot to do with the printing process--but what about print quality? Here are a few managed print services tips to put your paper to work for you.

Managed Print Services: Tips for Better Printing

When you notice print quality issues, you may be quick to blame your printer--but that's not always the right move. Sometimes, the paper itself might be to blame.

Here are some tips from managed print services to help control your paper, boost print quality, and strengthen your whole print environment:

Don't Over-Order

Paper age can impact print quality in a big way. Discoloration and other age-related issues might ruin the color or readability of your prints--and an easy way to avoid this is to stop over-ordering. Have a goal to keep a three-month supply of paper at most, because this is the age at which paper may start impacting quality. (Hint: Managed print services can help with this!)

Store Paper Correctly

Improperly stored paper can cause all kinds of issues. Humidity and temperature changes could cause wrinkles, waves, and other paper problems--which, in turn, impact print quality. That's why it's smart to store paper at room temperature and keep it safe from direct sunlight and any form of moisture.

Use The Right Paper

Some printers have specific needs when it comes to paper type, weight, and size. Using the wrong paper doesn't just result in quality issues; it could also potentially reduce your printer's overall lifespan or cause issues such as paper jams. To find out what kind of paper your printer needs, check the user's manual or visit the manufacturer's website.

Conclusion

The truth about print quality is that it's the result of many things coming together. If even one variable is wrong--for example, the type of paper you use--your print quality could suffer. That's why you should manage your print environment holistically and take care of printers, supplies, connections, and even users at the same time.

Need help juggling all those moving parts? Contact us today to see what managed print services can do for you.