There’s more to loading the printer with paper than meets the eye.

Copy paper seems like a pretty straightforward concept.  Right?  We’ve probably all grabbed a stack of paper at some point in our careers and reloaded the machine without giving the project too much thought.  Did you know there is an up and a down side to the paper?  Laser copy paper especially is slightly curled to help it go through the fusing process and then heat dries flat as it comes out.  Loading the paper incorrectly can cause excess jamming.

There’s also an optimal temperature for storing copy paper.  Also, once a ream of paper is opened, you optimally will want to wrap it back up if you’re not going to use it right away. 

Sometimes it’s the little things in life that make the most difference.  Because of this, we’ve compiled a quick list of things you may want to think about the next time you go to the copy room.  Happy copying!

Our top tips for copy paper:

·       Always store cartons so the paper is flat. Do not stack on end or on the side.

·       Do not store paper near a heating or cooling unit.

·       Do not store paper cartons on a cement floor.  Store on shelving or on a pallet.

·       Do not store paper in direct sunlight.

·       Always store paper in the sealed ream wrapper in the carton. Never leave loose paper around or stored unwrapped or with an open wrapper.

·       Try to store paper in a place where the temperature and humidity are the same as the room that you are using it in.  If this cannot be done, then move the cartons into the copier room the night before and let them sit and acclimatize overnight.

·       Never open up a carton or ream of paper before it reaches the same temperature as the room it is to be used in.  If you use part of a ream be sure to seal the rest of the ream with tape.

·       Use the oldest paper first. To help facilitate this mark on the carton or ream wrapper the date it was received.

·       Do not leave paper in copier trays over the weekend or for an extended period of days. Remove this paper and seal it back in its wrapper or in plastic wrap.

·       If you’ve just replaced the paper in your machine and you are now experiencing multiple paper jams, flip the stack over.  You may have loaded it with the curl side up.  This will increase the curl and create jams.

·       The perfect storage temperature for paper is 72° Fahrenheit with 45%RH

·       Today’s high speed copies process at high temperatures and speeds.  Equilibrium with the environment around the paper is important.  Remember to allow your paper to come to room temperature before using.