Xerox 2045, 2060, 5252 User Manual

Docucolor 2045 / 2060 / 5252

Specialty Media Guide: Hints & Tips

July 21, 2006

This guide is intended to inform about media recommendations and to share hints and tips regarding
the best way to print on various media substrates using the DocuColor 2045 / 2060 / 5252 Digital
Color Press.

It is important to realize that system performance, with most of the special media types covered in
this guide, will not be as good as that which can be obtained with the DocuColor 2045 / 2060 / 5252
baseline paper which is Xerox Color Xpressions +, 24lb. (3R11540) in the USA and Canada and
Xerox Color Colotech + 90 gsm (3R94641) in Europe.

The most recent version of the Recommended Materials List for the DocuColor 2045 / 2060 / 5252 is
available for download at www.xerox.com on the DocuColor 2060 product page.

For more information on Genuine Xerox Supplies, call 1-800-822-2200 in the USA and 1800-668-0133 in Canada 1

Output Curl and Decurling Devices

Paper curl is caused by a variety of factors. Many papers tend to curl toward one side after toner is
applied and fused. For some paper products, paper curl variability may be evident from batch to
batch and even from ream to ream.

The DocuColor 2045 / 2060 / 5252 has an automatic curl control system that uses a number of
variables to adjust the amount of pressure applied by different decurlers in an effort to reduce as
much curl as possible from printed output. Default settings are programmed in the system based on
equipment design parameters; however, the default settings may not be appropriate for all papers.

Most of the papers designed for xerographic use indicate the preferred printing side with an arrow on
the ream label. Follow the manufacturers’ suggestions for first image side, and load paper with the
arrow pointing down for onboard trays 1 and 2, and pointing up for onboard Special Material Handler
(SMH) tray 3 and the optional High Capacity Feeder (HCF) tray 4. If the output prints have too much
curl, first try flipping over the stack of paper in the paper tray being used.

If flipping the stack of paper over does not resolve the curling problem, enter the Tools Mode and
manually select a new decurler setting for the paper. Refer to the DocuColor 2045 / 2060 /5252
System Administration Guide for information on how to access Tools Mode and the Decurler Setup
screen. The three pre-programmed decurler settings are named A, B, and C and refer to a set of
parameters that characterize how a particular paper interacts with the Docucolor 2045 / 2060 / 5252
decurling system. Select a different setting for the tray, type, and weight of paper with a curling
problem, then exit Tools Mode and re-run a few sheets using the new setting. A difference in
behavior should be visible, but if output curl remains unacceptable, try additional settings until
desired output is achieved.

Output Considerations and B&W Printing

DocuColor 2045 / 2060 / 5252 performance is tightly linked to good media selection and adequate
job creation. For particular applications, using coated materials will improve image quality.

The DocuColor 2045 / 2060 / 5252 can be used to produce black and white documents as well as
color. Because of the way black and white documents are processed and fused, you will need to run
a fine grain paper when running jobs with blocks of solid black. For these jobs, try using Xerox Digital
Color Elite / Select Gloss or Silk Coated paper in the USA and Canada and Xerox Colotech Plus
Gloss Coated 120 gsm in Europe.

Another way of ensuring fine quality solid black images is to change grayscale images to duotones or
process black. This allows the machine to apply its optimum imaging capabilities to the file.

Also, the 150 cluster dot screen, available in the print driver, can be used to soften a grayscale image
and to create specific customer effects. By default, the system uses a 200 cluster dot screen to
achieve its crisp image quality.

For more information on Genuine Xerox Supplies, call 1-800-822-2200 in the USA and 1800-668-0133 in Canada 2

Non-Standard (Custom) Paper Sizes

Non-standard paper sizes can be run from either SMH tray 3 or the optional HCF tray 4. When doing
so, the paper size programmed on the DocuColor 2045 / 2060 / 5252 must match the paper size
selected in the printer driver, as well as in the print options from the application. If there is a mismatch
between any of these dimensions, an error will occur.

To print on non-standard paper sizes using the Fiery EX2000, refer to the Fiery EX2000 Printing
Guide, which contains instructions for Windows 95 / 98 and Macintosh. For Windows NT, custom
sizes are defined using either the Page Setup or Advanced tabs for the EX2000 printer driver. On
either tab, select the “Postscript Custom Page Size” option and enter the dimensions. On occasion, a
previously spooled job may be required to run on a custom page size. In order to do this, right mouse
click on “Page Size” in the “Print Properties” menu screen and enter the point value equivalent (1” =
72 pts.) with page height first, followed by page width. For example, to run Xerox Digital Color Glossy
Tabs (9” x 11” Short Edge First (SEF)), a point value of “648.00pt x 792.00pt” would be entered. For
more information on loading and programming non-standard paper sizes, refer to the DocuColor
2045 / 2060 / 5252 Operator’s Manual and System Administration Guide.

Transparencies

Transparencies can be run only from SMH tray 3 yielding a 22.5 page per minute output. For more
information on loading transparencies, refer to the DocuColor 2045 / 2060 / 5252 Operator’s Manual.
Use only the recommended Xerox Digital Color Transparencies (3R5765) to ensure optimum image
quality and transmission efficiencies when projected. Overhead Projector (OHP) sizes are limited to

8.5”x11” in the US, and A4 in Europe.
To ensure consistent image quality and minimize streaking, only 500 transparencies should be run at

one time. If a larger run is required, it is recommended to break the job up into smaller ones and print
approximately 25-50 sheets of regular paper between sets to absorb any excess fuser oil.

Even though paper backed transparencies will run through the system, it is important to be aware
that productivity enhancements may be offset by image quality degradation. Even when run at the
slowest speed possible by selecting the 221-280 gsm for the weight, image quality on paper-backed
transparencies will likely be inferior to that which can be achieved by using the recommended
removable stripe transparencies and running them in the OHP mode.

Coated Papers

Coated papers have binders, adhesives, and pigments applied to their surfaces on one or both sides.
As compared to Xerox Digital Color Xpressions + 24 lb, coated papers will provide improved image
quality and gloss.

Coated papers are susceptible to humidity. Image mottle (light patches in solid area) or light images
overall will occur if paper is not kept packaged in environments with more than 40% humidity. To
avoid this, keep packages sealed and store unused paper in a resealable bag.

For more information on Genuine Xerox Supplies, call 1-800-822-2200 in the USA and 1800-668-0133 in Canada 3

The surface of coated paper is susceptible to scratches and fingerprints. Handle all coated stocks
carefully and avoid excessive handling. Keep all work areas clean, as dust or dirt can scratch the
surface of coated papers.

Side to Side Registration Considerations- Paper Stretch

When running two sided printing applications side to side registration may be effected by the inherent
paper stretch that occurs as the paper passes through the high pressure and temperature nip.
Typical paper stretch for light uncoated materials is between 0.2% and 0.6% of the paper size in the
process direction. For coated materials the effect can be as high as 0.9% of the paper size in the
process direction.

As a summary the following observations are relevant to the stretch of paper in belt-nip fusing:

1) The paper stretch problem is most apparent with coated papers. Most coated papers stretch
significantly more than uncoated papers due to the larger frictional stresses experienced by
coated stocks and softening of the paper.

2) The direction of feed with respect to the orientation of paper fibers also determines the amount of
stretch. Papers fed in the CD (grain perpendicular to process direction) stretch significantly more
than papers fed in the MD (grain parallel to process direction).

3) Increasing the basis weight decreases the stretch since less stress is experienced due to the
increased thickness.

4) The synthetic material tested (Xerox DuraPaper 10 pt) actually contracts as it passes through the
fuser.

Paper stretch correction can be done using the “tools” mode registration adjustment, but front-to-back
trim mark registration may not always be possible. This is because the side-1 image expands by the
same amount that the paper stretches, thus making it necessary to expand the side-2 image by the
same distortion amount. In order to compensate for this you can use the Paper Registration
Adjustment tool (refer to the System Administration Guide Tools Mode Chapter, to adjust lead edge
registration). The tool will allow you to shift the registration as much as 2 mm in either direction. Find
the adjustment required for the paper in question.

Tabbed Inserts

Tabbed inserts can be run from onboard trays 1,2, SMH tray 3 and HCF tray 4 using the appropriate
size and weight setting. Tabbed stock should be loaded into the trays such that the short edge is fed
first (SEF), with the tabs towards the back of the paper tray. Verify the size of the material since
tabbed inserts may need to be run as a non-standard paper size. The typical size for tabs to be used
with letter size paper is 11”x 9”. Use 11” as the “x” coordinate and 9” as the “y” dimension in the user
interface non-standard paper size window of the tools mode (refer to the DocuColor 2045 / 2060 /
5252 System Administration Guide for instructions on how to setup non-standard paper sizes). For
tabs used with A4 paper use 296mm as the “x” dimension and 223.5 mm for the “y” dimension. With
guides in place, the paper tray should then be loaded and set to “Non Standard” size. Once the

For more information on Genuine Xerox Supplies, call 1-800-822-2200 in the USA and 1800-668-0133 in Canada 4