How Proper Paper Selection Can Extend Printing Equipment
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Equipment reliability is at the heart of every successful operation in the printing industry. Whether you run a small packaging business or oversee a large-scale commercial printing facility, you need high-performance printing equipment, as it directly affects the profitability of your operation.
While maintenance and operator training are essential, there’s another underestimated factor that can keep your machines running smoothly: paper selection.
This post explores the connection between paper choices and printing equipment performance, offering key insights that can help you improve your operation. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of how proper paper selection can extend printing equipment lifespan to protect it from premature wear.
10 Ways Paper Selection Protects Printing Equipment
1. Reduces Wear and Tear on Rollers
High-quality, smooth paper extends the life of the rollers in your printing equipment. Rough or uneven paper surfaces create friction during operation, which can cause wear on rollers. Over time, this means you’ll need to replace these parts more frequently and deal with machine downtime.
2. Prevents Paper Jams
Paper jams are not only frustrating but also contribute to mechanical wear. Using paper that is too thick, too thin, or improperly sized increases the chance of jams. When jams occur repeatedly, printer parts such as gears, belts, and feeding mechanisms can experience unnecessary stress or failure. Choosing paper that matches your machine’s specifications can reduce these issues, allowing your operations to run more smoothly.
3. Minimizes Dust Accumulation
Did you know that dust can damage printing equipment? Low-quality or excessively fibrous paper can shed tiny particles that accumulate inside the machine. Over time, this dust clogs sensors, jams feeding mechanisms, and requires frequent cleaning. By using low-dust or coated paper, you can reduce debris buildup, keeping your machine clean and maintenance-free for longer stretches.
4. Avoids Abrasive Damage
Paper with rough edges or surfaces can scratch or damage sensitive printer components, such as the printhead or platen. Over time, this damage can add up, leading to blurred print quality or the need for costly repairs. Choosing paper with a smooth finish and precise edges won’t harm the delicate internal parts of your equipment.
5. Maintains Consistent Material Feeding
A common cause of operational hiccups is inconsistent feeding. Irregularly cut or poor-quality paper often feeds unevenly, causing misalignment and printing errors. Quality paper designed to exacting standards encourages steady feeding, minimizing stress on the feeding mechanisms and motor. This consistency also improves print accuracy and reduces the need for reprints, saving time and material.
6. Reduces Heat Stress
Different printing technologies, such as laser or inkjet, interact differently with paper. Paper that isn’t designed for a specific printing technology can overheat, leading to misalignment in the printhead or fuser. For instance, laser printers use heat to bond toner to the paper. If the paper can’t handle this process, it may curl or even jam in the printer, putting parts under unnecessary strain.
7. Improves Ink Absorption
Paper that’s improperly coated or unsuitable for your equipment can create ink absorption issues. If the paper is too porous, ink may bleed or smudge, and if it’s coated, it can clog printheads. Both situations result in equipment that needs more frequent cleaning and maintenance. High-quality paper designed for specific ink systems ensures that the ink properly absorbs, preserving the life of the printheads and maintaining consistent print quality.
8. Prevents Static Buildup
Static buildup can leave multiple sheets of paper clinging together, leading to incorrect order amounts or paper jams. Antistatic paper can manage this issue, helping your printer feed one sheet at a time and reducing strain on its mechanisms.
9. Maintains Calibration
A printer’s sensors and alignment systems rely on consistency. Low-quality, inconsistent paper forces your technicians to handle frequent machine recalibration. Consistent paper quality allows your equipment to stay properly calibrated for longer, reducing the wear on the alignment system and improving overall print quality.
10. Supports Longer Component Lifespan
Using paper that matches your printer’s specifications means that all involved components, from motors to belts and feeding mechanisms, operate without undue stress. This efficiency results in fewer breakdowns, lower repair costs, and a longer lifespan for your equipment. Ultimately, reliable printing leads to higher ROI and better operational efficiency.
The Most Important Paper Properties
With so many paper types to choose from, and each type contributing to the unique characteristics that affect print results, it can feel like a tough choice to make. Selecting the right printer paper requires knowledge of weight, finish, and grain direction. While there are other paper characteristics to consider, we’re focusing on the three factors that have the biggest impact on your equipment.
Weight and Thickness
Paper weight determines how ink absorbs and interacts with the paper’s surface. In the US, paper weight is typically measured in pounds, determined by the weight of 500 sheets in their original size. For example, the standard printer paper found in offices is usually 20-pound bond paper.
Commercial printing companies may opt for heavier, thicker paper because it tends to absorb ink evenly, preventing it from spreading or bleeding. However, check your printer’s specifications before printing to confirm that it can handle thicker sheets. Heavier paper reduces wear on feeding systems because it offers stability during printing.
Finish
The surface finish of paper, whether glossy or matte, impacts the quality of the ink application. A glossy finish often enhances vibrancy, while matte finishes offer a professional, understated look. More importantly, smoother finishes reduce friction within the printer so components experience less wear and tear.
Grain Direction
Paper with the appropriate grain direction feeds smoothly through equipment, reducing the likelihood of jams and enabling clean folds, especially in packaging manufacturing. Incorrect grain orientation can create unnecessary stress on rollers and mechanical systems.
Extending the Lifespan of Your Printing Equipment
Proper paper selection can extend printing equipment lifespan by reducing wear and tear and preventing abrasive damage. Maintaining your printing and paper-converting equipment offers immediate and long-term benefits.
For printing companies and packaging manufacturers, this small but important decision can prevent costly repairs, minimize downtime, and elevate your operational reliability. If your business needs pre-owned printing equipment to improve your operation, reach out to ALI today to explore our current inventory.
