Xerox 701P28020 User Manual

Xerox Nuvera® Digital Production System and 288 Digital Perfecting System

Paper

Guide

Paper Guide

701P28020

December, 2006

Xerox Corporation Global Knowledge & Language Services 800 Phillips Road Bldg. 845-17S Webster, NY 14580

and information now allowed by statutory or judicial law or hereinafter granted, including without limitation, material generated from the software programs that are displayed on the screen such as styles, templates, icons, screen displays, looks, etc.

Adobe® and the Adobe logo, InDesign®, Illustrator®, PageMaker®, Photoshop®, Acrobat®, Distiller®, and the Acrobat logo are either re gistered trademark s or trademarks of A dobe Systems Inco rporated in the Unit ed States and/or other countries.

Macintosh, Power Macintosh, and Mac are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.

Microsoft® Windows NT® and Microsoft® Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Sun Microsystems and Solaris are a trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries.

Quark and QuarkXPress are trademarks of Quark, Inc. and all applicable affiliated companies, Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off. and in many other countries.

This product includes software developed by the Apache Software Foundation (http:// www.apache.org).

This product includes softwar e deve l ope d by the JDO M Proj ect (http ://w ww.jdom.org). This product includes software developed by the Jaxen Project (http://www.jaxen.org). XEROX®, The Document Company®, and the digital X® are the trademarks of or

licensed to XEROX CORPORATION. Xerox Nuvera® is a tradem ark of Xero x Corporat ion in th e United S t ates an d / or other

countries.

Table of Contents

Introduction v

About this guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

Typographical Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi

Related resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vii

Selecting stock for your Xerox Nuvera System 1-1

Stock size and weight ranges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1

Recommended stocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2

The Stock Li brary and Media Compatibility Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2

Stocks that should not be u s e d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3

Ordering guidelines fo r paper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-4

Paper properties that affect xerographic images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-4

Brightness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-5

Finish / Smoothness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-5

Stock coating categories for Xerox Nuvera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-6

Formation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-6

Impurities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-6

Opacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-7

Shade. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-7

Electrical properties and image quali ty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-7

Paper properties that affect paper handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-8

Moisture content. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-8

Grain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-8

Determining grain direction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-9

Cut quality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-10

In-house trimming and paper cutting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-10

Surface strength. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-11

Electrical properties and p aper handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-11

Managing your paper supply 2-1

Checking paper for defec ts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1

Handling paper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2

Paper and moisture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3

Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide

Table of Cont ents

Problems caused by moisture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3

Controlling moisture in paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3

Using storage bags for unused paper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4

Weekend shutdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-5

Conditioning paper to the printing environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-6

Loading paper into feeder trays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-6

Inserter hints and tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10

Stock names. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10

Stock orientation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10

Paper handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-11

Tips by stock type 3-1

Xerox Nuvera MX: Special considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1

Stock types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1

Tips that apply to all stocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3

Bond (56 to 158 gsm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3

Bristol (147 to 220 gsm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4

Carbonless. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4

Cover coated (140 to 220 gsm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4

Cover uncoated (106 to 220 gsm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5

Drilled paper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5

Envelopes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-6

Heavyweight coated (140 to 220 gsm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-6

Heavyweight uncoated (106 to 220 gsm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-7

Index (130 to 220 gsm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-7

Label stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-8

Lightweight uncoated (56 to 84 gsm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-8

Middleweight uncoated (91 to 105 gsm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-9

Perforated paper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-9

Preprinted paper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-10

Recycled paper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-11

Scored paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-12

Synthetic papers and plast ics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-12

Tabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-13

Transparencies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-14

Xerox DocuCard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-15

About Xerox papers 4-1

Xerox digital stocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-1

Accessing paper information online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-1

To order Xerox paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-2

Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide

Table of Contents

For technical information about Xerox paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-2

Converting paper weight from pounds to gsm A-1

Understanding basic size and basis wei ght . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

Formula for converting paper weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2

Table for converting paper weights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2

Printing with tabs B-1

Obtaining additional tabs guide kits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1

Installing the tabs guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2

Tab Optimization Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2

Define stocks, program, and load feeder trays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3

Printing on tabbed stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3

For systems with a Multi-Function Fini sher (MFF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-4

For systems with FTM / DS5000 or BFM type finishers. . . . . . . . . . . B-4

Managing the feed modules C-1

Feeder procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1

Add stock to a tray directly from the Stock Library window . . . . . . . . C-1

Copy stock attributes from one tray to ano ther. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1

Load non-tab stock in a paper tray. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2

Load tab stock in a paper tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2

Prevent a tray from feeding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-3

View a list of paper trays and their settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-3

Inserter procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-3

Managing the Finishing T ransport Module and Stacker D-1

Finisher procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1

Stacker Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1

Unload stacker cart. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1

View stacker settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-2

Managing the Stock Library E-1

Define a new stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-1

Delete a stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-1

Edit stock attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-2

Glossary of paper terms 1

Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide

iii

Table of Cont ents

Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide

Introduction

This guide provides information for selecting, storing, and using paper in a Xerox Nuvera® Digital Production System and a Xerox Nuvera® 288 Digital Perfecting Syst em. Its goal is to help you optimize image quality, paper handling, and the overall performance of the system.

The Xerox Nuvera Production and Perfecting Systems use a media selection model rather than a tray selection model. There are several benefits to selecting the media such as higher productivity, less wasted stock (especially important for specialty stock), and correct output media assu rance. One important factor of this model is to ensure that the s tock properti es are set c orrectly when the paper trays are assigned. This will allow the system to function with optimal performance.

About this guide

This guide is intended for everyone involved wit h se lecting, storing, or handling paper for the Xerox Nuvera.

• Chapter 1. Selecting s tock for your Xerox Nuv era Sys tem te lls you which types of stock are recommended, describes paper properties that affec t xerographic images and paper handling, and provides guidelines for ordering papers.

• Chapter 2. Managing your paper supply describes how to check paper for defects, handle paper properly, control moisture in paper and conditi on paper before printing.

• Chapter 3. Tip s b y st ock type prov ide s general tip s for r unni ng all stocks in the Xerox Nuvera and tip s for using spec ific types of paper and specialty stocks.

• Chapter 4. About Xerox papers describes Xerox papers that are recommended for use with the Xerox Nuvera, how to access paper informatio n onli ne, and how to order Xerox papers.

Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide

• Appendix A. Converting paper weight from pounds to gsm provides a table and i nst ructi ons for conv ert ing p ap er wei ght s.

• Appendix B. Printing with tabs provides information and procedures for printing tab jobs on the Xerox Nuvera.

Introducti on

Typographical Conventions

• Appendix C. Managing the feed modules, pr ovides information and procedures for performing feeder functions on the Xerox Nuvera.

• Appendix D. Managing the Finishing Transport Module and

Stacker provides information and procedures for performing

finisher functions on the Xerox Nuvera.

• Appendix E. Managing the S t ock Li brary, provides information and procedures for maint ai ning t he Stock Library on the Xerox Nuvera.

This guide uses the following conventions :

• Press <Key>- Within procedures, the names of keys to be pressed are enclosed in angle brackets. The name of the key should be as it appears on the customer’s keyboard. For example, Press <Esc>.

• Select [option] - Within procedures, the term “select” can represent various methods of launching a feature; the option to be selected is enclosed in square brackets.

– To open a drop-down menu, move the cursor to the menu

name or to the drop-down arrow and press the left mouse button once. For example, select [System].

– To choose a menu item, move the cursor to the item, press

the left mouse button to highli ght the item, then re lease the left mouse button. For example, select [Logon].

– To choose an icon or row and open the associated window,

move the cursor to the ite m and double click. For example, select [Paper Trays] on Printer Manager window to open the next level window.

NOTE: The statement “Open object” denotes the same action; that is, select [object] and double click.

– To perform a drag and drop select operation, move the

cursor to the drag t arget and press and hol d the l eft mous e button. Move the cursor to the desired drop location and release the left mouse button. For example, select [source] and drop it on [target].

• Select [option: option] - Multiple options are separated by a colon, with the name of the drop-down menu appearing first, followed by the menu item name. For example, select [System: Logon].

• bold - Within procedures, text and numbers that you type are shown in boldface. Type text exactly as it appears ( wit hout t he boldface).

• For example, type blue in the text field.

Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide

Introduction

• Enter bold - Within pr ocedures, t he two-step process of ty ping data and pressing <Enter>. For example, ent er y.

• replace text - Variable information is lower case italicized text; replace the text with the actual value. For ex ample, type name in the text field.

• Document title - Document and chapter names are shown in italics. For example, the Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide.

• In a Portable Document Format (PDF) file displayed on a workstation, blue text identifies a link to other information in the file. Select the specified text to activate the link. For example, refer to Typographical Conventions in this guide.

In a hard copy version of the PDF file, the link is printed as non-black text. Locate the section title, table, etc. in your document.

NOTE: This icon identifies notes. A note is a paragraph (separate from the body text) containing related information that merits emphasis.

KEY POINT: This icon identifies timesaving information or a hint that may help the user to perform a task.

Related resources

1. This icon identifies the star t of the procedure.

CAUTION: A caution indicates that damage or destruction to hardware, software, or your data could occur if an operating or maintenance procedure, practice, or condition is not strictly observed.

WARNING: A warning indicates that an injury or loss of life may occur if an operating or maintenance procedure, practice, or condition is not strictly observed.

• Online help on the system interface

• Xerox Nuvera Getting Started Guide online

• Xerox Nuvera User Guide and Training Aid CD or http://

ww.xerox.com.

Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide

vii

Introducti on

viii

Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide

1. Selecting stock for your Xerox

There are many factors you must consider when selecting stocks for the Xerox Nuvera Production and Perfecting Systems. This chapter will help you choose stocks that will optimize image quality and paper handling.

Stock size and weight ranges

Table 1-1. indicates the minimum and maximum paper sizes in

inches and millimeters.

Selecting stock for your Xerox Nuvera System

Nuvera System

Table 1-1. Paper size range

Measurement Minimum Maximum

Size in inches 5.5 x 8.27 12.6 x 18.5 Size in millimeters 140 x 210 320 x 470

The 4-tray feed module trays hold varying sizes of papers. T rays 1 and 2 can hold papers from 5.5 x 8.27 inches (140x210 mm) to 9.0 x 12.6 inches (228 x 320 mm). Trays 3 and 4 can hold 7.2 x 8.0 inches (183 x 203 mm) to 12.6 x 18.5 inches (320 x 470 mm).

The 2-tray feed module tray can hold p apers fr om 7.2 x 8.0 in ches (183 x 203 mm) to 12.6 x 18.5 inches (320 x 470 mm).

Table 1-2. indicates the minimum and maximum paper weight s in

pounds and grams per meter squared.

The Xerox Nuvera expresses all paper weights in grams per meter squared (gsm).

Table 1-2. Paper weight range

Measurement Minimum Maximum

Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide

Weight in pounds

Weight in grams per meter squared

16 pound bond 40 pound uncoated offset 100 pound coated offset

56 gsm bond 56 gsm uncoated offset 140 gsm C2S coated 160 gsm C1S coated

80 pound cover 110 pound index

220 gsm

1-1

Selecting stock for your Xerox Nuvera System

Refer to Appendix A, Converting paper we ight from pounds to

gsm, for paper weight conversion information.

Recommended stocks

Stock s that are re commended fo r use with the Xerox Nuvera have been categorized as Best, Better or Good.

A broad range of stocks has been tested on the Xerox Nuvera for image quality . Tabl e 1-3. defines image qualit y as Best, Better , and Good and lists general types of stock with in each category.

Image quality is greatly influenced by paper surface texture.

Table 1-3. Image quality performance categories

Performance

The Stock Library and Media Compatibility Guide

The Stock Li brary contains the paper-related information th at is maintained by the system operator at the system interface.

Each stock in the Stock Library has a set of stock settings that describe the paper to the system. The attributes allow you to print a job with multiple stocks. The Xerox Nuvera uses the attribute information to make internal adj ustments thr oughout the printer on a sheet-by-sheet basis.

• Cast coated / coated stocks

• Some highly calendared / very smooth uncoated stocks

• Most uncoated stocks designed for laser and offset printing

• Uncoated stocks with rough finishes (linen, wove, etc.)

• Specialty medias (paper backed transparencies, etc.)

1-2

In the Stock Library, the preloaded stocks contain the Xerox recommended settings for each stock. If cust om stocks are added to the Stock Library, the stock attribute information must be accurate to prevent image quality and paper handling problems. When image quality and/or paper handling pro blems occ ur, check the stock settings. You can check the paper packaging to be sure the stock attributes are correct.

The operator assigns stocks from the Stock Library to individual paper trays, which makes the stock information available to each

Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide

system module (feeders, print engine, st ackers). The modules can then adjust their settings for optimum performance as needed.

The Media Compatibility Guide is a list of stocks that have been approved by Xerox for use with the Xerox Nuvera.

Refer to the following web site for the PDF version of the Xerox Nuvera Media Compatibility Guide.

http://www.xerox.com

NOTE: If you wish to run a stock that is not on the Media Compatibility Guide, test a small amount before making a large purchase.

Stocks that should not be used

The following stocks are not supported by the Xerox Nuvera.

CAUTION: Using materials that do not meet the specified requirements of the Xerox Nuvera Production and Perf ecting Systems may result in increased paper jams, poor image quality, excessive service calls, and printer damage.

Selecting stock for your Xerox Nuvera System

The stocks in Table 1-4. should not be run on a Xerox Nuvera System.

Table 1-4. Stocks that should not be run on a Xerox Nuvera System

Stock Type Possible Printer Damage Poor Performance

Highly conductive papers, such as foilbacked papers

Films with melting points at or below

Possible electrical damage to printer

Melting in the fuser

Image quality defects

437°F (225°C) Papers with high moisture content Poor image quality and

unacceptable jam rate

Papers containing talc or plasticizer Poor image quality, poor

paper handling and printer contamination

Preprinted sheets printed with nonlaser compatible inks or inks that are not sufficiently cured (refer to

Poor image quality, poor paper handling and printer contamination

Preprinted paper section in chapter 3)

Preprinted sheets that were dried wit h offset drying powder

Poor image quality, poor paper handling and printer

contamination Windowed Stock Unacceptable jam rate Window Clings Unacceptable jam rate ID cards Unacceptable jam rate

Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide

1-3

Selecting stock for your Xerox Nuvera System

NOTE: Some paper properties are not included in the supplier’s paper specifications. Order papers with guaranteed performance from vendors with stringen t qua lity assur ance progr ams. Vendors’ specifications should prohibit the use of talc and plasticizer.

Ordering guidelines for paper

Follow these general guidelines when ordering paper:

• Check the following web site for the most recent list of papers that have been tested for use with the Xerox Nuvera Production and Perfecting Systems: http://www.xerox.com

• Call Xerox Supplies: for information about papers that are not on the Xerox Nuvera Media Compatibility Guide.

– In the U.S., call 1-800-822-2200 – In Canada call1-800-668-0199 – In Europe, call the Xerox Supplies phone number for your

country

• Order high quality papers to optimize print quality and productivity, and to minimize the amount of paper waste.

• Test a small amount of a new paper in your Xerox Nuvera Production or Perfecting system before ordering a large quantity.

• Order paper with guaranteed performance from vendors with stringent quality assurance programs.

• Order papers that have been manufactured for xerographic / laser imaging. Paper mills now offer a wide variety of papers that can be used with digital prin ters.

• Ensure your carefully selected papers are packaged properly. Ask your supplier to:

– Package reams in moisture-proof wrappers. – Package folio sheets in strong, moisture- proof cartons with

sealed lids.

– Reinforce paper st acks with chipboard on top and bottom

to prevent damage during shipping.

– Protect paper sta cks with shrink wrapping, which must be

applied carefully to prevent bending th e edges of the st ack.

Paper properties that affect xerographic images

Choosing the right paper calls for a strong knowledge of paper characteristics and how they r el ate to t he s pecifi c pri nt technolog y.

Your Xerox Nuvera uses dry ink, which is a very fine powder. The

1-4

Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide

following paper properties interact with the dry ink to determine the quality of images.

Brightness

A paper’s ability to reflect light is called brightness. Brighter papers produce images with higher contrast.

As a general rule, use brighter papers when printing documents with photographs, halftone images, or complex graphics.

NOTE: Blue-white papers contain ultra-violet (UV) brighteners that break down over time when exposed to UV light. As UV brighteners break down, the pa per shade may change from bri ght white to a warm white (yellow cast). UV light exist s naturally indoors and outdoors.

Finish / Smoothness

Selecting stock for your Xerox Nuvera System

Finish is the smoothness or roughness of a paper’s surface. Paper is processed to have a specific type of finish, ranging from very smooth to highly textured.

Finish can significantly imp act image quali ty. If paper is too rough, light patches and graininess appe ar in solid areas. Halftone images also appear grainy. Dry ink does not fuse properly to extremely rough paper, which causes deletions where the ink rubs or flakes off.

Smooth and coated papers produce sharp images because they reflect light more directly than rougher papers. Use smooth or coated papers for proper dry ink tra n sfer, to ensure the best density and image detail, and to increase the appearance of glossiness. Using a highly calendered / very smooth paper is especially important when printing fine lines and detailed images.

A solid black on a cast coated sheet appears as though it has been coated or varnished.

Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide

1-5

Selecting stock for your Xerox Nuvera System

Stock coating categories for Xerox Nuvera

Coatings can be applied to papers to increase smoothness. When coated media are entered into the Stock Library , the coati ng

type must be set to gloss, high-gloss, se mi-gloss, satin, or matte.

Table 1-5. provides descriptions of the coat ing types.

Table 1-5. Stock Library coating categories

Stock Library coating types

High gloss Cast, Chrome coated, C1S/C2S, cast

Common names / descriptions (supplied by

the paper manufacturer)

Gloss range (% reflectance)

Gloss range = 80+ coated, and any other high gloss special process media

Gloss Gloss, Enamel, Art Gloss range = 50 to 80 Semi-gloss Dull, Silk Gloss range = 35 to 50 Satin Satin, Velvet Gloss range = 23 to 35 Matte Matte, Reply card Gloss range = 10 to 25

The gloss ranges in Table 1-5. are measured at a 75 degree angle with the TAPPI test method T 480. Gloss ranges are not rigidly fixed, which accounts for the sl ight overlap in values.

You can normally use the name or description of the finish, which is supplied by the manufacturer, to determine the coating type. Paper mills may not be consistent in how they describe stock coatings.

Formation

Impurities

Formation is the distribution of fibers in paper. Fibers should be distributed evenly throughout the sheet. Although formation is not included in the manufacturer’s specifications, you can check it by holding a sheet up to a light. If the sheet looks even throughout, it has good formation. If you see uneven light and dark areas, formation is poor.

Good formation is especially important when documents include halftone images of photographs or high ink coverage. Halftone images appear sharper on paper with good formation. Solid images can appear uneven or spotty when printed on paper wit h poor formation.

Impurities in the paperma king process can leave tiny specks in some stocks. The specks can appear as marks or sp ots in pr inted

1-6

Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide

Opacity

Selecting stock for your Xerox Nuvera System

images, especially in high resolution images, fine type and fine lines.

Impurities in recycled papers consist of inks and adhesives (from window envelopes, stick-on notes, labels, etc.), which are difficult to remove during the recycling process.

Use high quality non-recycled pa pers when the best image quali ty is required.

Opacity refers to the ability of a printed image to show through from the opposite side of a sheet or from another sheet below it. Opacity increases as the wei ght of the shee t incr eases . Fil l ers ar e also added to paper during the manufactur ing process to incr ease opacity.

Opacity is measured accordin g to how much light a sheet blocks and is expressed as a percentage between 0 and 100. Most papers fall in the 80 to 90% range, howev er , an op acity of 98% will prevent a printed image from showing through on the opposite side of the sheet.

Choose paper with high opacity when printing on both sides of the paper or when heavy dry ink coverage will be applied.

Shade

Shade is the color of the paper. Paper shade may change the colors of printed i mag es because dry ink is applied in dot patterns that allow the paper shade to show through.

The color of the paper (white, pink, buff etc.) must be specified in the Xerox Nuvera Stock Library.

When choosing paper color:

• Remember that paper shades can vary significantly among brands.

Electrical properties and image quality

Resistivity is the resist ance to direct current between the two sides of a sheet of paper. The electrical properties of paper are important because a sheet must be able to attract dry ink during the xerographic process.

Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide

If a stock’s resistivi ty is excessively high or low, the print ed image may be too light and deletions may occur.

1-7

Selecting stock for your Xerox Nuvera System

Paper properties that affect paper handling

The following paper properties affect how well the production system runs. You can maximize the productivity of your printer by choosing high quality papers and managing the moisture content.

Moisture content

Paper must be manufactured with the proper moistu re content for printing.

Proper moisture level can be maintai ned by purchasing paper in moisture-proof packaging and leaving it in its original packaging until you are ready to use it.

For more information, refer to the Ordering guidelines for paper and Electrical properties and p aper handling sections of this guide.

Grain

During the paper making process, most of the paper fibers align parallel to each other. When sheets are cut, they are either grainlong (fibers are parallel to the longer dimension of the sheet) or grain-short (fibers are par allel to the shorter dimension of the sheet).

Grain is an important consideration when sheets will be folded. Xerox recommends using paper that wi ll allow you to fold with the grain. Folding printed sheets against the grain will cause paper and paper coating to crack and reveal more of the paper color at the fold.

The grain direction may be specified on the paper packaging.

• Some manufacturers add the words “long” or “short” to the label to indicate paper grain.

• LG and SG are common abbreviations for long grain and short grain.

– In Europe, A3SG indicates A3 size paper with short grai n. – A4LG indicates A4 size paper with long grain.

• Most manufacturers in North America underline the paper dimension that corresponds to the grain.

1-8

• It is also common in North America to write the grain dimension as the second of the two dimensions (dimension x grain dimension).

Grain direction is also importa nt when using lightweight and heavyweight papers. Load light weight pape rs into pa per trays with the grain parallel to the front (outboard) edge of the tray to increase stiff ness. Load heavyweight p apers with the grain par allel

Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide

Selecting stock for your Xerox Nuvera System

to the lead (left side) edge of the tray so it wil l bend easi e r as it moves through the system. Load middleweight papers wit h the grain in either direction. The weight ranges for the Xerox Nuvera Production and Perfecting Systems are displayed in Table 1-6.

Table 1-6. Paper weight ranges

Paper type Weight range in gsm

Normal (Light) weight

Medium weight 85 to 105 gsm uncoated Heavy weight 106 to 220 gsm uncoated

Determining grain direction

One way to determine the grain is to fold a sheet of paper lengthwise, then make a crosswise fold. Cross-grain folds tend to be more rough and cracked as shown in Figure 1-1.

Figure 1-1. Fold with and against grain

56 to 84 gsm uncoated bond 56 to 84 gsm uncoated offset

140 to 220 gsm coated

Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide

Another method you can use to determine the grain direction is to tear a sheet. Paper always tears straighter with the grain.

Figure 1-2. Tear with and against grain

You can also allow 4 inches (100 millimeters) of the short edge of a sheet and 4 inches (100 mi llimeters) of the long edge of a sheet hang over the edge of a table as seen in Figure 1-3. The sheet hangs lower (bends more) with the grain p arall el to th e t ab le edge.

1-9

Selecting stock for your Xerox Nuvera System

Figure 1-3. Hangs lower with grain

Cut quality

The accuracy of the sheet cutting process affects paper handling and image quality.

When paper is cut with a dull blade, edges stick together to form “edge welds,” which cause paper jams and excess paper dust in the printer. Paper dust is also created when folio sheets are cut from the roll. A good paper mill takes steps to remove dust from paper before wrapping it.

Loose fibers on the edges of cut sheets can lead to printer contamination and visible fibers within printed images.

If the cut is not exactly square, skewing, jams, and stacking problems can occur. Image quality defects also occur due to misregistration in the paper path.

Slight variations in sheet cut size can also cause sheet to sheet registration problems in bindery operations.

In-house trimming and paper cutting

Xerox recommends the use of pre-cut paper in the Xerox Nuvera. KEY POINT: If you must cut sheets before printing, an in-house

maintenance program that ensures knives are kept shar p and dust is removed with a vacuum or air system will be key in achieving good results. Failure to do so could result in excessive downtime and service calls.

1-10

If a custom cut is required, it is recommended that you use a rotary slitter.

Xerox recommends trimming sheets af ter printing has been finalized to prevent the generation of paper dust and printer

Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide

Selecting stock for your Xerox Nuvera System

contamination issues.

Surface strength

Fibers, additives, and coatings can rub off of sheets as they are pulled through drive rollers. Papers with good surfac e strength shed fewer fibers and particles, which helps prevent the production system from becoming contaminated over time. System contamination causes jamming t hroughout the producti on system, image quality problems, and fuser wraps (fuser agent becomes contaminated).

Electrical properties and paper handling

Paper naturally resists elect rical current, which can lead to static build-up between sheets. Static can cause multifeeds, jams, and stacking problems.

To obtain proper resistiv ity, paper man ufacturers add salt and other materials during the paper manufacturing process. They also pack paper in moisture-p roof p ackaging to maint ai n resisti vity.

For best performance, choose paper with low resistivity, and observe the storage guidelines in Chapter 2, Managi ng your paper

supply.

Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide

1-11

Selecting stock for your Xerox Nuvera System

1-12

Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide

Managing you r paper suppl y

2. Managing your p ap e r su pply

Paper is a large investment in any printing operation. As with any other investment, managing it well will ensure the greatest

possible returns. Managing your paper supply includes:

• Checking paper that is shipped to you for defects

• Handling and storing paper properly to prevent damage

• Controlling moisture i n paper to op timize its performance in t he press

• Conditioning paper to the print room temperature before printing

• Using proper paper tray loading tec hniques

The following guidelines will help you manage your p aper supply and allow you to maximize:

• Productivity - Your Xerox Nuvera will run with fewer

• Quality - Your finished product will look better.

• Profit - You will reduce the amount of paper waste.

Checking paper for defects

CAUTION: Return all defective paper to the supplier to prevent

machine contamination, image quality defects, jams and misfeeds.

Never attempt to use paper t hat is defective in any way. Check all paper that is shipped to you for the following defects:

• Carton damage - Paper can become damaged if cartons are

problems.

dropped, thrown, or struck with a fork lift. Cartons can also become damaged from water. Damaged paper can cause jams, even when the damage is not immediately visible.

Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide

• Open ream wrappers - Moisture-proof wrappers may open due to mishandling or defective packagi ng. Paper that has gained or lost moisture can lead to paper handling and image quality problems.

• Paper dust, dirt particles, bi t s of p aper, wrapper glue, fillers, or other materials used in paper production - Paper must be free of dirt and manufacturing by-products to run reliably and produce good image quality.

2-1

Managing your paper supply

Handling paper

• Edge welds (edges stuck togeth er) - If edge welds are pres ent, the paper was not cut properly and will jam in the press.

• Creased, wrinkled, torn, or folded sheets - Sheets must be intact and perfectly fl at to run reliably.

• Drilled paper that does not sep a rate eas ily, or has p aper plugs left in the holes - Drilled paper must be drilled cleanly to run reliably in the system.

• Dust or chaff in perforated p apers, or areas around perforations that are not flat - Perfor ated papers should be free of paper dust and chaff (bits of paper), whi ch can contaminate the system. The bulge beneath the perforations should be flattened as much as possible to avoid paper jams and image quality problems.

Even the best papers can be rendered useless by improper handling. Paper damage, caused by poor handling, may not be apparent until feeding or image quality problems occur.

Protect your paper investment by following these paper handling tips:

• Never drop, throw, or strike cartons with a forklift.

• Handle individual reams gently and carefully.

• Never place a carton or ream of paper on its side or edge.

• When stacking cartons or reams, place them carefully on top of one another to avoid crushing the edges.

• Stor e paper on surfaces that are flat and smooth to avoid damage to the bottom sheets.

• To avoid damaging paper, never stack cartons and pallets too high. Coated papers are especially susc eptible to damage due to the smooth surfaces and increased weight. Follow the guidelines in Table 2-1. when stacking cartons and pallets.

Table 2-1. Stacking limits

Items to be stacked Coated Paper Uncoated Paper

Maximum number of

3 5

Cartons

2-2

Maximum number of Pallets

Do not stack 2

Xerox Nuvera Paper Guide

+ 56 hidden pages