| Use the Right Stock |
As a rule, the more absorbent the paper stock used for pre-printed materials, the better copier and printer imaging.
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| Choose Your Printer |
Choose a commercial printer that has experience in printing materials that will be imaged in laser copiers and printers. When you can, pre-test printed materials in your copier or printer before ordering large quantities. |
Make a Clean Cut
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When trimming is necessary, Xerox recommends that you cut paper in stacks of 250 sheets or less. Why? It ensures a clean edge, reduces paper dust contamination and improves paper feeding all leading to improved equipment performance. |
| Ink Coverage |
Since toner does not adhere well to pre-printed paper with heavy ink coverage, try to avoid it on large printed solids. It will be easily scratched or rubbed off. Where does toner do well? On areas where color is screened back to 30 percent or less during the printing process. And the thinner the ink coating, the better the toner adhesion.
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| Pre-Printing and Fusing |
To avoid contaminating your imaging equipment, choose inks, varnishes and coatings that can take the heat. Why? Fuser temperatures can rise as high as 395°F/201.67°C. The best choices are laser compatible inks and other coatings featuring temperature stable resins and low levels of petroleum distillates. Oxidative and UV-cured inks also perform well in Xerox copiers and printers.
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Avoid These Inks!
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Coldset, conductive and rubber based inks are poor choices for pre-printed materials. Why? Coldset inks penetrate paper but do not dry well. Conductive inks contain carbon blacks or metallic powders that can interfere with the paper's ability to hold a sufficient charge for proper toner transfer. And rubber based inks can cause contamination in Xerox equipment! |
| Varnished and Coated: Use Quickly! |
Be sure you use varnished or coated pieces within two weeks of printing. Why? The additional curing time can harden the coating, reducing toner adhesion |
| Watch Press Fountains |
Press fountains can impact drying times. If they carry excess water, glycerin or glycol ether, or if the pH falls too low, drying time can be slowed. |
| Powder |
Some printers use spray powder on their offset press equipment to enhance drying. This powder can severely contaminate imaging equipment. You may want to ask your printer to rerun the finished, dried job through their offset presses to remove spray powder to a clean printing blanket.
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| Drying and Packaging |
Let pre-printed stock dry after its initial printing for three to seven days before imaging in copiers or printers. To ensure it dries completely, do not package for shipment until after the three- to seven-day drying period. Shrink-wrapping will reduce or stop drying altogether!
Once drying is completed, though, you can go ahead and shrink-wrap preprinted materials. Use minimal pressure to avoid moisture pick up, which can cause deletions when stock is imaged.
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