When you think about your multifunction printer, you're probably considering all the great things it can do for you--but do you ever pause to think about the paper it uses? Today, we're taking a closer look at this most basic element to find out how you can give your multifunction printer a leg up.
What Your Multifunction Printer Needs
When it comes to paper, your multifunction printer needs one thing: a little help from you.
That's because paper is actually more complex than we tend to give it credit for. After all, you should just be able to load the printer tray and never think about it again, right? Unfortunately, that's not the case--and it all comes down to the fact that paper can have all kinds of small, subtle issues. While you may not notice these problems, your multifunction printer certainly will--and that can lead to a drop in print quality that you might blame on the machine itself if you don't know what's happening behind the scenes.
For this reason, we're brushing up on paper--for the good of multifunction printers everywhere.
Here are a few things to keep an eye on when you're loading the printer tray:
- Is the paper the appropriate size?
This one's pretty basic, but it's important nonetheless. Make sure you know what paper size your multifunction printer needs; using the wrong size can lead to issues like paper jams.
- Does the paper have high moisture content?
When paper is stored in the wrong conditions, it can get wet. Naturally, that's bad news for your multifunction printer. That means it's up to you to store paper properly--and if something seems off, it's better to recycle that paper than to run the risk of causing printer problems.
- Are you loading the tray correctly?
There's an art to loading paper into the printer tray. For example, did you know paper has a "crown" that determines how it should be positioned? To see for yourself, grab a ream of paper from underneath and hold your hand in the very middle; the ends should sag. Now flip the ream over and do the same thing. Which end has the most sag? That's the side with the crown--and also the side that should be printed on.
Conclusion
There's a lot to know about paper--and the more you do your homework, the more your multifunction printer will thank you. In fact, this is one element of multifunction printer care you can do in just a few minutes.
Looking for other ways to give your multifunction printer a little TLC? Contact us today for all your printing needs!