Laser Printing Tips

Label Characteristics
Labels (also called stickers and pressure sensitive materials) are multi-ply materials consisting of a "sandwich" of various combinations of face stock (printable stock), adhesives, and liners (removable protective backings.) The multiple layers can result in thick, difficult-to-handle materials.

The materials used in labels have a wide range of properties that can affect printing. The varieties of laser label materials offered by Rippedsheets.com include paper, plastics, and even metallic foils. Observing label-printing guidelines can prevent jams in the printer, and prevent the label or adhesive from melting if the sheet stops in the fuser during a paper jam.

Important: Always Check Label Printing Instructions for Your Printer
Your printer may accept a wide range of stock weights, but materials either too light or too heavy can cause handling and printing problems. Since every printer is different, check the Label Printing instructions in your printer documentation.

Label Settings for Most Laser Printers
If your laser printer is working correctly, the toner, which is actually powdered plastic, will be melted (fused) onto the surface of the label material and it will almost feel smooth. If the image feels bumpy or chalky, your printer is not hot enough and is not fusing correctly which may cause the image to rub or flake off the label surface.

To get the best results follow these three steps:

1. Always print labels on a "Label" setting (File, Print, Properties, Paper, Type, Labels.)
2. Always feed labels into the printer using the bypass tray. This automatically slows down the printer, and raises the temperature.
3. It is also important to open the output door on the back of the printer so the labels travel in a straight path and don't have to go around the drum. Remember; be sure to check your printer d ocumentation for instructions specific to your printer.

Environmental Conditions Are Important
Temperature and humidity levels can have a major impact on your label printing success. Even small changes (such as from day to night) can greatly affect handling in the printer if the label material being processed is near the limits of acceptability.

All label stock should be "conditioned" while still in its original wrappings. To condition stock, store it in the same environment as the printer for 24 to 48 hours before printing to let it stabilize in the new conditions. It may take longer if there is a wide difference in the storage or transportation environment and the printer environment. This exposure time may also need to be longer for thick stock because of the mass of the material. Early removal of wrapping materials may cause uneven moisture content that can cause curl, waviness, and other problems in the printer.

Rippedsheets.com recommends printing in a temperature range of 18 to 24°C (65 to 75°F) with relative humidity of 40 to 60%. Many laser printers are designed to operate in a temperature range of 15.5 to 32°C (60 to 90°F) with relative humidity of 8 to 80%. Printing in an environment outside these recommendations may cause jams, feeding problems, reduced print quality, and cause labels to peel (delaminate.) Vinyl labels are especially susceptible to these environment-related problems.

Eliminate The Curl Factor
Early removal of wrapping materials can also cause curl, which can cause feeding problems and paper jams in the printer. Thicker label sheets are more inclined to curl than thinner ones. To ensure that label sheets will feed through your printer successfully, curl is recommended to not exceed 3 mm or (1/8".) It's best to store label stock with a 10 - 15 lb weight on top. It may be necessary to gently and evenly roll the label stock back-wards against the curl to flatten it out.

Maintenance Procedures
Check your printer documentation. Your manufacturer may or may not recommend the following for labels.

Use the following procedure to clean the printer for every 250 sheets of polyester labels and for every 200 sheets of paper labels:

TURN OFF THE PRINTER!

Note: Failure to follow maintenance procedures could cause jamming, poor print quality, feeding problems, and fuser problems.

If your laser printer has a fuser cleaner, it is normally changed when the print cartridge is replaced. When using labels,

the fuser cleaner may need to be changed more frequently. Check the fuser cleaner every 2,000 pages and replace it if it is crusty or stiff. Fuser cleaners also may lessen toner buildup on some labels, producing better print quality.

Clean the inside of the printer frequently, possibly daily. Consult your printer documentation for specific instructions on how to properly clean your printer. Removal of the debris will help prevent feeding, fusing, and other types of problems associated with debris.

Refer to your printer documentation for all maintenance procedures to maintain the print quality and reliability of your printer.

Jamming
If labels get jammed in the transfer drum or fuser DO NOT PULL LABEL MATERIAL OUT. IT MAY SCRATCH YOUR DRUM OR FUSER! CAREFULLY TURN THE ROLLERS TO ROLL THE MATERIAL BACK OUT.

Do not load labels together with paper or transparencies in the same paper tray. Combining print materials can cause feeding problems. Labels are one of the most difficult print materials for laser printers. A special label fuser cleaner (wiper) should be used for dedicated label application to optimize printer performance -- if available from your manufacturer.

Good Luck and Good Printing from Rippedsheets.com.

For more tips see Tech Support.

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