| Xerox
equipment does an outstanding job imaging pre-printed materials.
Many ink and coating manufacturers offer laser-compatible
inks that withstand the high fuser temperatures of high volume
copiers and printers.
And many paper manufacturers
offer laser-compatible coated and uncoated stocks. Count on
doing great things with pre-printed materials when you follow
the simple guidelines outlined here.
As a rule, the more absorbent the paper stock
used for pre-printed materials, the better copier and printer
imaging.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
Copy
Paper - Printer Paper | Why
Buy Recycled Paper? | Recycled
Copy Paper | Give
A Gift To The Environment |
Pre-Printing:
Best Results and Precautions |
Carbonless
Paper | Paper:
Quality Tested | Choosing
the Right Paper |
The
Creation of the Copier
| Disadvantages
of a Laser Printer
| Are
You Ready for a Paperless Office? |
