Recycled Paper: Is this media fit for laser printing?

Let us set aside negative perception towards recycled paper as a trigger to paper jams in the course of laser printing. Technically, media not designed for laser printing (even virgin paper) can be the culprit behind paper jams. The ghost of recycled paper past continues to haunt the paper industry, particularly those manufactured when Muhammad Ali still ruled supreme in the boxing world. Earlier releases of recycled media were of inferior quality and packed with paper dust that harm printer components. Well, the ‘float like a butterfly and sting like a bee' proponent has long been retired. But then papermaking technology improved twenty times over and recycled media already reached a status similar to virgin paper; making both paper types indistinguishable, except for the large red ‘R’ printed across the ream cover.

Several factors have now been identified as the cause of paper jams. And some factors do not even point out to paper quality but rather on the environment that paper is subjected to during storage. Here’s a quick look at pertinent factors:

• Media that are less than 24 gsm in weight are prone to crease easily and tear into pieces; if not scourge during laser printing.
• Paper stored for a long time (3 months or more) amidst a very hot environment has the tendency to be very dry (with less humidity content), wrinkle and tear which causes paper to jam.
• Similarly, when paper is stored amidst a cool, damp environment; it also has the tendency to absorb moisture over and above the recommended humidity content ideal for laser printing. Note that using moisture-laden media reduces the likelihood of paper to resist lateral shear imposed by the printer’s mechanical roller, which causes paper to tear and jam during printing.

The misconception that recycled paper is not suited for laser printing is no longer acceptable because modern papermaking methods have already addressed the factors confounding recycled paper. In fact, only around 10% of recycled paper produced enters the paper supply chain. And since there is no distinguishing mark for recycled paper and virgin paper, it is probable for picky laser printer users to have purchased recycled paper without them knowing about it.

Just like virgin paper, toner adhesion in recycled paper works similar and no visible difference manifests. However when faint prints appear on both paper products, certainly low toner supply is the primary cause. This can be resolved easily by replenishing the cartridge's toner supply with compatible toner supplied with toner refill kits.

Look up our previous posts on recycled paper products.

How to Clear Paper Jams?

Let us suppose that you've got deadlines to beat and reports to submit when suddenly in the middle of printing, the laser printer jams. In instances such as this one, the normal reaction would be to bellow in frustration and to vent one's anger on the equipment over the delay its malfunction has caused. But then such action is counter-productive. On the contrary, one must keep his cool and thresh out what ever triggered the paper jam in the first place.

There are several factors that could push a printer to jam. In most cases, the user have no control over it. Find below 2 of the most common causes of paper jams. For a more detailed discussion on the causes of paper jams, refer to our previous post Paper Jams: Why paper gets stuck inside the printer?

1. Paper type, quality and moisture content that renders the media to crease easily


2. Worn out rollers that have lost its tendency to pick-up and move paper in the course of printing

Clearing the Paper Jam
Always maintain a clear, focused mind when attempting to retrieve the paper from where it jammed and determine the best solution possible. Never rush when pulling out jammed paper because failure to retrieve the entire sheet could result into more serious problems once paper has been ripped into smaller pieces. Below are five steps adapted from PC Support Tips.com that could help the user clear paper jams.

1. Initially pull out whatever paper is left with the printer intake and paper supply trays.
2. New generation printers are supplied with removable paper intake trays. Pull out the paper tray for an easy inspection of the jammed section of the printer.


3. Now remove the toner cartridge and drum unit from the printer. Doing this will provide easy access to the jammed paper.


4. Open the printer's sheet-feed back door to inspect the extent of paper obstruction. This step is applicable for laser printers designed with a straight paper path.


5. After discerning the nature of the paper jam, start pulling the jammed paper out gently. Consider applying force evenly on the entire width of the paper to avoid tearing. Remember that the entire sheet should be removed as a single piece.

After removing the jammed paper from the printer, check further for any debris (paper clips, staple wire, hair clips) that may have triggered the jam.

Before reloading the toner cartridge back to the printer, determine if the cartridge has sufficient toner supply. If not, then use a compatible toner refill kit to replenish toner supply. You have just completed clearing the printer of jammed paper, plug the printer back and start printing.

Paper Jams: Why paper gets stuck inside the printer?

Paper jams do happen frequently, particularly when a laser printer is already over a year old. This temporary inconvenience however occurs with all types of printers and not just laser printers; given the mechanical components in motion to transfer paper from one component to the next. With contemporary printer units, state of the art electronic devices now support the smooth conveyance of paper while built-in software prompts the user over the occurrence of a paper jam. Nonetheless, these do not in any way prevent the incidence of paper jams. Paper gets stuck inside the paper due to damaged or worn out rollers.

What are printer rollers?
Rollers are moving plastic cylinders that depend on friction between its rough rubber coating and the surface of the paper to move the latter across printer components. Over time, the roller surface will wear out; picking up toner and paper dust that will contaminate its surface and reduce its resistance. This then becomes the precursor to paper jams which can be fixed by cleaning roller surfacew with a lint-free damp cloth or if not, by replacing the entire roller assembly. Nevertheless, to identify which roller is due for replacement and likewise causing printer jams needs careful study.

Which printer roller is responsible for paper jams?
The Pick-up Roller set with the paper supply tray is the typical culprit of most paper jams. When said rollers are moving but could not pick-up paper, this indicates loss of friction caused by a dirty, worn out roller that renders the roller unable to grip the paper properly. When the roller's rubber coating is spotted shiny or smooth, then it's time to replace the pick up roller.

On the other hand, paper jams can also be caused by transparencies where a ream of paper has been loaded to the tray straight from its packaging. Transparencies packed in a ream tends to stick to each other and therefore needs to be loosened before loading the stack to the printer.

The Separator Pads outfitted with the paper supply tray allows paper to be fed to the printer one at a time; even when a stock of transparencies is loaded to the tray. Positioned right in the middle of the paper path, the device is intended to avoid multiple feeding and prevent paper jams as well. Separation pads are held by a pair of steel pressure springs that is responsible for introducing pressure on the topmost surface of the loaded stack to thus allow pick-up rollers to pick paper one at a time.

Over time, the pressure springs lose its pressure capability to cause multiple paper feeding and eventually the dreaded paper jams. As preventive maintenance, what is recommended is the replacement of pressure springs following 3 toner cartridge replacements or after the third refill, in case cartridge toner supply is replenished using toner refill kits; to keep the pressure springs reliable and properly functioning.

Remember that paper jams do not occur because of an empty toner cartridge but due to dirty and worn out rollers.