## Media and tray

This chapter provides information on how to load print media into your machine.

This chapter includes:

- Selecting print media

- Changing the tray size

- Loading paper in the tray

- Printing on special media

- Changing the tray size

## Selecting print media

You can print on a variety of print media, such as plain paper, envelopes, labels, and transparencies. Always use print media that meets the guidelines for use with your machine and from the appropriate tray.

### Guidelines for selecting the print media

Print media that does not meet the guidelines outlined in this user’s guide may cause the following problems:

- Poor print quality

- Increased paper jams

- Premature wear on the machine.

- Permanent fuser damage, not covered under warranty.

Properties, such as weight, composition, grain, and moisture content, are important factors that affect the machine’s performance and the output quality. When you choose print materials, consider the following:

- The type, size and weight of the print media for your machine are described in print media specifications. (See Print media specifications.)

- Desired outcome: The print media you choose should be appropriate for your project.

- Brightness: Some print media are whiter than others and produce sharper, more vibrant images.

- Surface smoothness: The smoothness of the print media affects how crisp the printing looks on the paper.

Some print media may meet all of the guidelines in this section and still not produce satisfactory results. This may be the result of the sheets characteristics, improper handling, unacceptable temperature and humidity levels, or other variables over which cannot be controlled. Before purchasing large quantities of print media, ensure that it meets the specifications in this user’s guide and that it meets your output requirements.

Using print media that does not meet these specifications may cause problems, requiring repairs. Such repairs are not covered by the warranty or service agreements. The amount of paper put into the tray may differ according to media type used. (See Print media specifications.) Using inflammable print media can cause a fire. Use designated print media (See Print media specifications).

The use of inflammable media or foreign materials left in the printer may lead to overheating of the unit and, in rare cases may cause a fire.

### Media sizes supported in each mode

Mode | Size | Type | Source
--- | --- | --- | ---
Simplex printing | For details about paper size, see Print media specifications. | For details about paper type, see Print media specifications. | Tray
Duplex printing (Manual)[a] | Letter, A4, Legal, US Folio, Oficio | Plain, Color, Preprinted, Recycled, Bond, Archive | Manual feeding in the tray
[a] 75 to 90 g/m2 (20~24 lbs bond) only (See Print media specifications).

## Changing the tray size

The tray is preset to Letter or A4 size, depending on your country. To change the size, you need to adjust the paper guides.

| Paper width guide Tray Paper length guide

1. Open front cover and pinch the paper length guide and pull it out to extend the tray.

   Because the machine is very light, it can move when you open and close the tray or install and remove the toner cartridge. Be careful not to move the machine when performing these tasks.

2. Flex or fan the edge of the paper stack to separate the pages before loading the paper. Insert the paper into the tray.

3. Load paper with the print side facing up. Make sure that all four corners are flat in the tray.

   Do not overload the tray with paper. Otherwise, it may cause paper jams.

4. Pinch the paper length guide to adjust the guide so that it is flush up against the rear edge of the paper; then pinch the paper width guides so they are flush against the sides of the paper.

   Do not push the paper width guide too far causing the media to warp. Do not use a paper with more than 6 mm (0.24 inch.) curl. If you do not adjust the paper width guide, it may cause paper jams.

## Loading paper in the tray

### Tray

1. Open the front cover, pinch the paper length guide and pull it out to extend the tray. Then, adjust the tray size to the media size you are loading. (See Changing the tray size.)

2. Flex or fan the edge of the paper stack to separate the pages before loading papers.

3. Place the paper with the side you want to print facing up.

   When you print a document, set the paper type and size for the tray.

   For information about setting the paper type and size on the control panel (See Setting the default tray and paper).

   If you experience problems with paper feeding, check whether the paper meets the media specifications. Then, try placing one sheet at a time in tray (See Print media specifications, Printing on special media). The settings made from the machine driver override the settings on the control panel.

### Manual feeding in the tray

The tray can hold special sizes and types of print material, such as postcards, note cards, and envelopes. It is useful for single page printing on letterhead or colored paper.

#### Tips on using the manual feeding method

- If you select Paper > Source > Manual Feeder from your printer driver, you need to press each time you print a page.

  Load only one type, size and weight of print media at a time in the tray.

- To prevent paper jams, do not add media while printing.

- Print media should be loaded face up with the top edge going into the tray first and be placed in the center of the tray.

- Always load the use recommended print media to avoid paper jams and print quality problems. (See Print media specifications.)

- Flatten any curl on postcards, envelopes, and labels before loading them into the tray.

1. Load the paper in the tray.

   When printing on special media, you must follow the loading guideline. (See Printing on special media.) When paper does not feed well while printing, gently push the paper in manually until it starts feeding automatically.

2. Squeeze the tray paper width guides and adjust them to the width of the paper. Do not force them too much, or the paper will bend resulting in a paper jam or skew.

3. Open the output support.

4. To print from an application, open the application and open the print menu.

5. Open Printing Preferences. (See Opening printing preferences.)

6. Click on the Paper tab in Printing Preferences, and select an appropriate paper type.

   For example, if you want to use a label, set the paper type to Label.

7. Select Manual Feeder in paper source, then press OK.

8. Start printing.

If you are printing multiple pages, load the next sheet after the first page prints out, and press the . Repeat this step for every page to be printed.

## Printing on special media

The table below shows the available special media for printing.

When printing on a special media, we recommend you feed one paper at a time. Check the maximum input number of media for tray. (See Print media specifications.)

Types | tray | Manual feeding in tray [a]
--- | --- | ---
Plain | ● | ●
Thick | ● | ●
Thin | ● | ●
Cotton |  | ●
Color |  | ●
Preprinted |  | ●
Recycled | ● | ●
Envelope |  | ●
Transparency |  | ●
Labels |  | ●
CardStock |  | ●
Bond |  | ●
Archive | ● | ●
[a] Load one paper at a time.

(●: supported, Blank: Not supported)

The following media types are shown in the Printing Preferences. This paper type option allows you to set the type of paper to be loaded in the tray. Selecting the appropriate media will let you get the best printout quality. Selecting inappropriate media can result in poor print quality.

- Plain: Normal plain paper. Select this type if your printing on 60 to 120 g/m2 (16 to 32 lbs).

- Thick: 90 to 163 g/m2 (24 to 43 lbs) thick paper.

- Thin: 60 to 70 g/m2 (16 to 19 lbs) thin paper.

- Cotton: 75 to 90 g/m2 (20 to 24 lbs) cotton paper.

- Color: 75 to 90 g/m2 (20 to 24 lbs) color-back grounded paper.

- Preprinted: 75 to 90 g/m2 (20 to 24 lbs) preprinted/letterhead paper.

- Recycled: 60 to 90 g/m2 (16 to 24 lbs) recycled paper.

  When you use recycled paper, printouts might be wrinkled and/or jamming may occur due to excessive curl.

- CardStock: 105 to 163 g/m2 (28 to 43 lbs) cardstock.

- Envelope: 75 to 90 g/m2 (20 to 24 lbs) envelope.

- Transparency: 138 to 146 g/m2 (37 to 39 lbs) transparency paper.

- Labels: 120 to 150 g/m2 (32 to 40 lbs) labels.

- Bond: 105 to 120 g/m2 (28 to 32 lbs) bond.

- Archive: 70 to 90 g/m2 (19 to 24 lbs) If you need to keep the print-out for a long time, such as for archives.

### Envelopes

Successful printing on envelopes depends upon the quality of the envelopes.

To print on an envelope, the stamp area should be on the left side and the end of the envelope with the stamp area should enter the printer first in the center of the tray.

- When selecting envelopes, consider the following factors:

  - Weight: The weight of the envelope paper should not exceed 90 g/m2 otherwise, jams may occur.

  - Construction: Prior to printing, envelopes should lie flat with less than 6 mm ( 0.24 inch.) of curl, and should not contain air.

  - Condition: Envelopes should not be wrinkled, nicked, nor damaged.

  - Temperature: Use envelopes that are compatible with the heat and pressure of the machine during operation.

- Use only well-constructed envelopes with sharp-and well-creased folds.

- Do not use stamped envelopes.

- Do not use envelopes with clasps, snaps, windows, coated lining, self-adhesive seals, or other synthetic materials.

- Do not use damaged or poorly made envelopes.

- Be sure the seam at both ends of the envelope extends all the way to the corner of the envelope.

  1. Acceptable

  2. Unacceptable

- Envelopes with a peel-off adhesive strip or with more than one flap that folds over to seal must use adhesives compatible with the machine’s fusing temperature about 170°C (338 °F) for 0.1 second. The extra flaps and strips might cause wrinkling, creasing, or jams, and may even damage the fuser.

- For the best print quality, position margins no closer than 15 mm ( 0.59 inch.) from the edges of the envelope.

- Avoid printing over the area where the envelope’s seams meet.

### Transparencies

To avoid damaging the machine, use only transparencies designed for laser printers.

- Transparencies used in the machine must be able to withstand machine’s fusing temperature.

- Place them on a flat surface after removing them from the machine.

- Do not leave unused transparencies on the paper tray for long periods of time. Dust and dirt may accumulate on them, resulting in spotty printing.

- To avoid smudging caused by fingerprints, handle transparencies carefully.

- To avoid fading, do not expose printed transparencies to prolonged sunlight.

- Ensure that transparencies are not wrinkled, curled, or have any torn edges.

- Do not use transparencies that separate from the backing sheet.

- To prevent transparencies from sticking to each other, do not let the printed sheets stack up as they are begin printed out.

### Labels

To avoid damaging the machine, use only labels designed for laser machines.

- When selecting labels, consider the following factors:

  - Adhesives: The adhesive material should be stable at your machine’s fusing temperature (about 170°C (338 °F)).

  - Arrangement: Only use labels with no exposed backing between them. Labels can peel off sheets that have spaces between the labels, causing serious jams.

  - Curl: Prior to printing, labels must lie flat with no more than 13 mm (0.51 inch.) of curl in any direction.

  - Condition: Do not use labels with wrinkles, bubbles, or other indications of separation.

- Make sure that there is no exposed adhesive material between labels. Exposed areas can cause labels to peel off during printing, which can cause paper jams. Exposed adhesive can also cause damage to machine components.

- Do not run a sheet of labels through the machine more than once. The adhesive backing is designed for only a single pass through the machine.

- Do not use labels that are separating from the backing sheet or are wrinkled, bubbled, or otherwise damaged.

### Card stock/Custom-sized paper

Postcards, cards and other custom-sized materials can be printed with this machine.

- Do not print on media smaller than 76 mm (3.00 inches) wide or 183 mm (7.20 inches) long.

- In software applications, set the margins at least 6.4 mm (0.25 inches) away from the edges of the material.

### Letterhead/Preprinted paper

Single-sided | Double-sided
--- | ---
Face up | Face down

- Letterhead/ Preprinted paper must be printed with heat-resistant ink that will not melt, vaporize, or release hazardous emissions when subjected to the machine’s fusing temperature (about 170°C(338 °F) for 0.1 second.

- Letterhead/ Preprinted paper ink must be non-flammable and should not adversely affect machine rollers.

- Forms and letterhead should be sealed in a moisture-proof wrapping to prevent changes during storage.

- Before you load letterhead/preprinted paper, verify that the ink on the paper is dry. During the fusing process, wet ink can come off preprinted paper, reducing print quality.

## Using the output support

The surface of the output tray may become hot if you print a large number of pages at once. Make sure that you do not touch the surface, and do not allow children near it.

The printed pages stack on the output support, and the output support will help the printed pages to align. The printer sends printouts to the output tray by default.