Tips on using letterhead

Page orientation is important when printing on letterhead. Use the following table to determine which direction to load the letterhead:

Source or process	Print side and paper orientation
Note: Check with the manufacturer or vendor to determine whether the chosen preprinted letterhead is acceptable for laser printers.
Standard 250-sheet tray Optional 550-sheet tray Simplex (one-sided) printing from trays	Printed letterhead design is placed faceup. The top edge of the sheet with the logo is placed at the front of the tray.
Duplex (two-sided) printing from trays	Printed letterhead design is placed facedown. The top edge of the sheet with the logo is placed at the back of the tray.
Manual feeder (simplex printing) Multipurpose feeder	Preprinted letterhead design is placed facedown. The top edge of the sheet with the logo should enter the manual feeder first.
Manual feeder (duplex printing) Multipurpose feeder	Preprinted letterhead design is placed faceup. The top edge of the sheet with the logo should enter the manual feeder last.

Tips on using transparencies

Print samples on the transparencies being considered for use before buying large quantities.

When printing on transparencies:

• Feed transparencies from the standard 250-sheet tray or the manual feeder.

• Use transparencies designed specifically for laser printers. Check with the manufacturer or vendor to ensure that the transparencies are able to withstand temperatures up to 175° C (350° F) without melting, discoloring, offsetting, or releasing hazardous emissions.

  Note: Transparencies can be printed at a temperature up to 180° C (356° F) if Transparency Weight is set to Heavy and Transparency Texture is set to Rough. Select these settings in the Paper menu using a local utility.

• To prevent print quality problems, avoid getting fingerprints on the transparencies.

• Before loading transparencies, fan the stack to prevent sheets from sticking together.

• We recommend Lexmark part number 70X7240 for letter-size transparencies and Lexmark part number 12A5010 for A4-size transparencies.

Tips on using envelopes

Print samples on the envelopes being considered for use before buying large quantities.

When printing on envelopes:

• Feed envelopes from the manual feeder or optional multipurpose feeder.

• Set the Paper Type to Envelope, and select the envelope size.

• Use envelopes designed specifically for laser printers. Check with the manufacturer or vendor to ensure the envelopes can withstand temperatures up to 200°C (392°F) without sealing, wrinkling, curling excessively, or releasing hazardous emissions.

• For the best performance, use envelopes made from 60 g/m² (16 lb bond) paper. Use up to 105 g/m² (28 lb bond) weight for envelopes as long as the cotton content is 25% or less. All-cotton envelopes must not exceed 90 g/m² (24 lb bond) weight.

• Use only new envelopes.

• To optimize performance and minimize jams, do not use envelopes that:

  • Have excessive curl or twist

  • Are stuck together or damaged in any way

  • Have windows, holes, perforations, cutouts, or embossing

  • Have metal clasps, string ties, or folding bars

  • Have an interlocking design

  • Have postage stamps attached

  • Have any exposed adhesive when the flap is in the sealed or closed position

  • Have bent corners

  • Have rough, cockle, or laid finishes

• Adjust the width guides to fit the width of the envelopes.

Note: A combination of high humidity (over 60%) and the high printing temperature may wrinkle or seal envelopes.

Tips on using labels

Print samples on the labels being considered for use before buying large quantities.

For detailed information on label printing, characteristics, and design, see the Card Stock & Label Guide available on the Lexmark Web site at http://support.lexmark.com.

When printing on labels:

• Use labels designed specifically for laser printers. Check with the manufacturer or vendor to verify that:

  • The labels can withstand temperatures up to 210°C (410°F) without sealing, excessive curling, wrinkling, or releasing hazardous emissions.

    Note: Labels can be printed at a higher fusing temperature up to 220°C (428°F) if Label Weight is set to Heavy. Select this setting using the Embedded Web Server, or from the printer control panel Paper menu.

  • Label adhesives, face sheet (printable stock), and topcoats can withstand up to 25-psi (172-kPa) pressure without delaminating, oozing around the edges, or releasing hazardous fumes.

• Do not use labels with slick backing material.

• Use full label sheets. Partial sheets may cause labels to peel off during printing, resulting in a jam. Partial sheets also contaminate the printer and the cartridge with adhesive, and could void the printer and cartridge warranties.

• Do not use labels with exposed adhesive.

• Do not print within 1 mm (0.04 in.) of the edge of the label, of the perforations, or between die-cuts of the label.

• Be sure adhesive backing does not reach to the sheet edge. Zone coating of the adhesive at least 1 mm (0.04 in.) away from edges is recommended. Adhesive material contaminates the printer and could void the warranty.

• If zone coating of the adhesive is not possible, remove a 2-mm (0.06-in.) strip on the leading and driver edge, and use a non-oozing adhesive.

• Portrait orientation works best, especially when printing bar codes.

Tips on using card stock

Card stock is heavy, single-ply specialty media. Many of its variable characteristics, such as moisture content, thickness, and texture, can significantly impact print quality. Print samples on the card stock being considered for use before buying large quantities.

When printing on card stock:

• From MarkVision Professional, the printer software, or the printer control panel:

  1. Set the Paper Type to Card Stock.

  2. Set the Paper Weight to Card Stock Weight.

  3. Set the Card Stock Weight to Normal or Heavy.

• Be aware that preprinting, perforation, and creasing may significantly affect the print quality and cause jams or other paper handling problems.

• Check with the manufacturer or vendor to ensure the card stock can withstand temperatures up to 200°C (392°F) without releasing hazardous emissions.

• Do not use preprinted card stock manufactured with chemicals that may contaminate the printer. Preprinting introduces semi-liquid and volatile components into the printer.

• Use grain short card stock when possible.