Lexmark C520 Service Manual - Page 7

5022-xxx Media specifications Paper and specialty media guidelines Media guidelines Media characteristics The following media characteristics affect print quality and reliability. Consider these characteristics when evaluating new media stock. Weight The printer can automatically feed media weights from 60 to 176 g/m2 (16 to 47 lb bond) grain long. Media lighter than 60 g/m2 (16 lb) might not be stiff enough to feed properly, causing jams. For best performance, use 90 g/m2 (24 lb bond) grain long media. For media smaller than 182 x 257 mm (7.2 x 10.1 in.), we recommend 90 g/m2 or heavier media. Curl Curl is the tendency for media to curl at its edges. Excessive curl can cause media feeding problems. Curl can occur after the media passes through the printer, where it is exposed to high temperatures. Storing media unwrapped in hot, humid, cold, or dry conditions, even in the trays, can contribute to media curling prior to printing and can cause feeding problems. Smoothness Media smoothness directly affects print quality. If media is too rough, toner cannot fuse to it properly. If media is too smooth, it can cause media feeding or print quality issues. Always use media between 100 and 300 Sheffield points; however, smoothness between 150 and 200 Sheffield points produces the best print quality. Moisture content The amount of moisture in media affects both print quality and the ability of the printer to feed the media correctly. Leave media in its original wrapper until it is time to use it. This limits the exposure of media to moisture changes that can degrade its performance. Condition media before printing by storing it in its original wrapper in the same environment as the printer for 24 to 48 hours before printing. Extend the time several days if the storage or transportation environment is very different from the printer environment. Thick media may also require a longer conditioning period. Grain direction Grain refers to the alignment of the media fibers in a sheet of media. Grain is either grain long, running the length of the media, or grain short, running the width of the media. For 60 to 90 g/m2 (16 to 24 lb bond) media, use grain long fibers. Fiber content Most high-quality xerographic media is made from 100% chemically treated pulped wood. This content provides the media with a high degree of stability resulting in fewer media feeding problems and better print quality. Media containing fibers such as cotton possesses characteristics that can negatively affect media handling. 1-6 Service Manual