Lexmark W840 User Manual

							Supported print media
41
Understanding paper and specialty media guidelines
Media weights supported in the finisher
Print mediaTyp e
Finisher media weight
Bin 1
Bin 2
OffsetStapleHole Punch
PaperXerographic or 
business paper64 to 105 g/m
2 grain 
long (17 to 28 lb 
bond)64 to 216 g/m2 
grain long (17 to 
58 lb bond) 40 sheets of 
90 g/m2 grain 
long (24 lb 
bond)
 50 sheets of 
64 to 75 g/m
2 
grain long (17 
to 20 lb bond)64 to 216 g/m
2 
grain long (17 to 
58 lb bond)
Card stock—
maximum
(grain long)Index Bristol 163 g/m
2 (90 lb bond) Not recommended
Ta g 1 6 3  g / m
2 (100 lb bond)
Cover 176 g/m
2 (65 lb bond)
Card stock—
maximum
(grain short)Index Bristol 199 g/m
2 (110 lb bond) Not recommended
Ta g 2 0 3  g / m
2 (125 lb bond)
Cover 216 g/m
2 (80 lb bond)
TransparenciesLaser printer  138 to 146 g/m
2 37 to 39 lb bond) Not recommended
Integrated formsPressure sensitive 
area140 to 175 g/m
2
(up to 47 lb bond)Not recommended
Paper base (grain 
long)75 to 135 g/m
2
(20 to 36 lb bond)
Labels — 
upper limitPaper 180 g/m
2 
(48 lb bond)Not recommended
EnvelopesSulfite, wood-free 
or up to 100% 
cotton bond60 to 105 g/m
2
(16 to 28 lb bond)Not recommended
Downloaded From ManualsPrinter.com Manuals 
						

							Selecting print media
42
Understanding paper and specialty media guidelines
Selecting print media
Selecting the appropriate print media for the printer helps you avoid printing problems. The following sections contain 
guidelines for choosing the correct print media for the printer.
Paper
Transparencies
Envelopes
Labels
Card stock
Paper
To ensure the best print quality and feed reliability, use 90 g/m2 (24 lb) xerographic, grain long paper. Business papers 
designed for general business use may also provide acceptable print quality.
We recommend Lexmark part number 12A5950 letter size glossy paper and Lexmark part number 12A5951 for A4 size 
glossy paper.
Always print several samples before buying large quantities of any type of media. When choosing any media, consider the 
weight, fiber content, and color.
The laser printing process heats paper to high temperatures of 230°C (446°F) for non-MICR applications. Use only paper 
able to withstand these temperatures without discoloring, bleeding, or releasing hazardous emissions. Check with the 
manufacturer or vendor to determine whether the paper chosen is acceptable for laser printers.
When loading paper, note the recommended print side on the paper package, and load paper accordingly. For detailed tray 
loading instructions, see the following:
Loading standard or optional 500-sheet trays on page 49
Loading the multipurpose feeder on page 52
Loading the 2000-sheet dual input trays on page 55
Loading the 2000-sheet high capacity feeder on page 56
Paper characteristics
The following paper characteristics affect print quality and reliability. It is recommended that these guidelines are followed 
when evaluating new paper stock.
For detailed information, see the Card Stock & Label Guide available on the Lexmark Web site at www.lexmark.com/
publications.
Weight
The printer can automatically feed paper weights from 60 to 176 g/m2 (16 to 47 lb bond) grain long in the integrated and 
optional trays and paper weights from 60 to 135 g/m2 (16 to 36 lb bond) grain long in the multipurpose feeder. Paper lighter 
than 60 g/m2 (16 lb) might not be stiff enough to feed properly, causing jams. For best performance, use 90 g/m2 (24 lb 
bond) grain long paper. To use paper narrower than 182 x 257 mm (7.2 x 10.1 in.), it is recommended that the weight be 
greater than or equal to 90 g/m
2 (24 lb bond).
Curl
Curl is the tendency of media to curve at its edges. Excessive curl can cause paper feeding problems. Curl can occur after 
the paper passes through the printer, where it is exposed to high temperatures. Storing paper unwrapped in hot, humid, 
cold and dry conditions, even in the trays, can contribute to paper curling prior to printing and can cause feeding problems.
Downloaded From ManualsPrinter.com Manuals 
						

							Selecting print media
43
Understanding paper and specialty media guidelines
Smoothness
The degree of smoothness of paper directly affects print quality. If the paper is too rough, the toner does not fuse to the 
paper properly, resulting in poor print quality. If the paper is too smooth, it can cause paper feeding or print quality issues. 
Smoothness needs to be between 100 and 300 Sheffield points; however, smoothness between 150 and 250 Sheffield 
points produces the best print quality.
Moisture content
The amount of moisture in the paper affects both print quality and the ability of the printer to feed the paper properly. Leave 
the paper in its original wrapper until it is time to use it. This limits the exposure of the paper to moisture changes that can 
degrade its performance. 
Condition paper while it is still in the original wrapper. To condition it, store it in the same environment as the printer for 24 
to 48 hours before printing to let the paper stabilize in the new conditions. Extend the time several days if the storage or 
transportation environment is very different from the printer environment. Thick paper may also require a longer 
conditioning period because of the mass of material.
Grain direction
Grain refers to the alignment of the paper fibers in a sheet of paper. Grain is either grain long, running the length of the 
paper, or grain short, running the width of the paper.
For 60 to 90 g/m
2 (16 to 24 lb bond) paper, grain long fibers are recommended.
Fiber content
Most high-quality xerographic paper is made from 100% chemically pulped wood. This content provides the paper with a 
high degree of stability resulting in fewer paper feeding problems and better print quality. Paper containing fibers such as 
cotton possess characteristics that can result in degraded paper handling.
Unacceptable paper
The following papers are not recommended for use with the printer:
Chemically treated papers used to make copies without carbon paper, also known as carbonless papers, 
carbonless copy paper (CCP), or no carbon required (NCR) paper
Preprinted papers with chemicals that may contaminate the printer
Preprinted papers that can be affected by the temperature in the printer fuser
Preprinted papers that require a registration (the precise print location on the page) greater than ±0.09 in., such as 
optical character recognition (OCR) forms
In some cases, you can adjust registration with your software application to successfully print on these forms.
Coated papers (erasable bond), synthetic papers, thermal papers
Rough-edged, rough or heavily textured surface papers or curled papers
Recycled papers containing more than 25% post-consumer waste that do not meet DIN 19 309
Recycled paper having a weight less than 60 g/m
2 (16 lb)
Multiple-part forms or documents
Selecting paper
Proper paper loading helps prevent jams and ensures trouble-free printing.
To help avoid jams or poor print quality:
Always use new, undamaged paper.
Before loading paper, know the recommended print side of the paper. This information is usually indicated on the 
paper package.
Downloaded From ManualsPrinter.com Manuals 
						

							Selecting print media
44
Understanding paper and specialty media guidelines
Do not use paper that has been cut or trimmed by hand.
Do not mix media sizes, weights, or types in the same source; mixing results in jams.
Do not use coated papers unless they are specifically designed for electrophotographic printing.
Do not forget to change the Paper Size setting when using a source that does not support auto size sensing.
Do not remove trays while a job is printing or Busy appears on the operator panel.
Make sure the Paper Type, Paper Texture, and Paper Weight settings are correct. (See “Paper Menu” in the Menus 
and Messages Guide located on the publications CD for detailed information about these settings.)
Make sure the paper is properly loaded in the source.
Flex paper back and forth. Do not fold or crease the paper. Straighten the edges on a level surface.
Selecting preprinted forms and letterhead
Use the following guidelines when selecting preprinted forms and letterhead paper for the printer:
Use grain long papers for best results for 60 to 90 g/m
2 weights.
Use only forms and letterhead printed using an offset lithographic or engraved printing process.
Avoid papers with rough or heavily textured surfaces.
Use papers printed with heat-resistant inks designed for use in xerographic copiers. The ink must withstand temperatures 
of 230°C (446°F) without melting or releasing hazardous emissions. Use inks that are not affected by the resin in toner. Inks 
that are oxidation-set or oil-based should meet these requirements; latex inks might not. When in doubt, contact the paper 
supplier. 
Preprinted papers such as letterhead must be able to withstand temperatures up to 230°C (446°F) without melting or 
releasing hazardous emissions.
Printing on letterhead
Check with the manufacturer or vendor to determine whether the chosen preprinted letterhead is acceptable for laser 
printers.
Page orientation is important when printing on letterhead. Use the following table for help when loading letterhead in the 
media sources.
Media source or processPrint sideTop of page
500-sheet trays Single-sided printing:
Printed letterhead face-up
Duplex (two-sided) printing:
Printed letterhead face-downLong-edge fed: Letterhead top edge 
towards the front of the tray.
Short-edge fed: Letterhead top edge 
towards the left of the tray.
2000-sheet dual input trays Letterhead goes toward the front of the tray.
2000-sheet high capacity feeder Single-sided printing:
Printed letterhead face-down
Duplex (two-sided) printing:
Printed letterhead face-upLetterhead goes toward the front of the tray.
Multipurpose feeder Long-edge fed: Letterhead top edge 
towards the front of the printer.
Short-edge fed: Letterhead top edge enters 
last.
Downloaded From ManualsPrinter.com Manuals 
						

							Selecting print media
45
Understanding paper and specialty media guidelines
Transparencies
Feed transparencies from the standard tray or the multipurpose feeder. Try a sample of any transparencies being 
considered for use with the printer before buying large quantities.
When printing on transparencies:
Be sure to set the Paper Type to Transparency from the printer driver or from MarkVision™ Professional to avoid 
damaging the printer.
Use transparencies designed specifically for laser printers. Transparencies must be able to withstand 
temperatures of 230°C (446°F) without melting, discoloring, offsetting or releasing hazardous emissions.
To prevent print quality problems, avoid getting fingerprints on the transparencies.
Before loading transparencies, fan the stack to prevent sheets from sticking together.
Selecting transparencies
The printer can print directly on transparencies designed for use in laser printers. Print quality and durability depend on the 
transparency used. Always print samples on the transparencies being considered for use before buying large quantities.
We recommend Lexmark part number 70X7240 letter size transparency and Lexmark part number 12A5010 for A4 size 
transparency.
The Paper Type setting should be set to Transparency to help prevent jams. (See “Paper Type” on the publications CD for 
detailed information about this setting.) Check with the manufacturer or vendor to determine whether the transparencies are 
compatible with laser printers that heat transparencies to 230°C (446°F). Use only transparencies that are able to withstand 
these temperatures without melting, discoloring, offsetting, or releasing hazardous emissions. For detailed information, see 
the Card Stock & Label Guide, which is available on the Lexmark Web site at www.lexmark.com/publications.
Transparencies can be fed automatically from the multipurpose feeder and the standard 500-sheet trays (Tray 1 and Tray 2). 
See Print media types on page 39 for information about transparency compatibility with output bins.
Be careful when you handle transparencies. Fingerprints on the surface of the transparency cause poor print quality.
Envelopes
You can load up to 10 envelopes in the multipurpose feeder. Try a sample of any envelopes you are considering using with 
the printer before buying large quantities. See Loading the multipurpose feeder on page 52 for instructions on loading 
envelopes.
When printing on envelopes:
To achieve the best possible print quality, use only high-quality envelopes that are designed for use in laser 
printers.
Set the Paper Source in the Paper menu based on the source in use, set the Paper Type to Envelope, and select 
the correct envelope size from the operator panel, the printer driver, or from MarkVision Professional.
For best performance, use envelopes made from 90 g/m
2 (24 lb bond) paper. Use up to 105 g/m2 (28 lb bond) 
weight for the 500-sheet standard trays and multipurpose feeder as long as the cotton content is 25% or less. 
Envelopes with 100% cotton content must not exceed 90 g/m
2 (24 lb bond) weight.
Use only new, undamaged envelopes.
For best performance and to minimize jams, do not use envelopes that:
–Have excessive curl or twist.
–Are stuck together or damaged in any way.
–Contain windows, holes, perforations, cutouts or embossing.
–Use metal clasps, string ties, or metal folding bars.
–Have an interlocking design.
–Have postage stamps attached.
–Have any exposed adhesive when the flap is in the sealed or closed position.
–Have nicked edges or bent corners.
Downloaded From ManualsPrinter.com Manuals 
						

							Selecting print media
46
Understanding paper and specialty media guidelines
–Have rough, cockle, or laid finishes.
Use envelopes that can withstand temperatures of 230°C (446°F) without sealing, excessive curling, wrinkling, or 
releasing hazardous emissions. If you have any doubts about the envelopes you are considering using, check with 
the envelope supplier.
Adjust the width guide to fit the width of the envelopes.
Load only one size of envelope at a time.
A combination of high humidity (over 60%) and the high printing temperatures may seal the envelopes.
Labels
The printer can print on many labels designed for use with laser printers, except for vinyl labels. These labels are supplied 
in letter size, A4 size, and legal size sheets. Label adhesives, face sheet (printable stock), and topcoats must be able to 
withstand temperatures of 230°C (446°F) and pressure of 25 pounds per square inch (psi).
Try a sample of any labels you are considering using with the printer before purchasing a large quantity.
For detailed information on label printing, characteristics, and design, see the Card Stock & Label Guide available on the 
Lexmark Web site at www.lexmark.com/publications.
After printing approximately 10,000 pages of labels (or each time you replace the toner cartridge), complete the following 
steps to maintain printer feeding reliability:
1Print five sheets of paper.
2Wait approximately five seconds.
3Print five more sheets of paper.
When printing on labels:
Set the Paper Type menu item to Labels in the Paper menu. Set the Paper Type from the printer operator panel, 
the printer driver, or from MarkVision Professional.
Do not load labels together with paper or transparencies in the same source; mixing media can cause feeding 
problems.
Do not use label sheets with a slick backing material.
Use full label sheets. Partial sheets may cause labels to peel off during printing, resulting in a jam. Partial sheets 
also contaminate the printer and the cartridge with adhesive, and could void the printer and cartridge warranties.
Use labels that can withstand temperatures of 230°C (446°F) without sealing, excessive curling, wrinkling, or 
releasing hazardous emissions.
Do not print within 1 mm (0.04 in.) of the edge of the label, of the perforations, or between die-cuts of the label.
Do not use label sheets that have adhesive to the edge of the sheet. Zone coating of the adhesive at least 1 mm 
(0.04 in.) away from edges is recommended. Adhesive material contaminates the printer and could void the 
warranty.
If zone coating of the adhesive is not possible, remove a 3 mm (0.125 in.) strip on the leading and driver edge, and 
use a non-oozing adhesive.
Remove a 3 mm (0.125 in.) strip from the leading edge to prevent labels from peeling inside the printer.
Portrait orientation is preferred, especially when printing bar codes.
Do not use labels that have exposed adhesive.
For detailed information on label printing, characteristics, and design, see the Card Stock & Label Guide, available on the 
Lexmark Web site at www.lexmark.com/publications.
Downloaded From ManualsPrinter.com Manuals 
						

							Storing print media
47
Understanding paper and specialty media guidelines
Card stock
Card stock is single ply, and has a large array of properties, such as the moisture content, thickness, and texture, that can 
significantly affect print quality. See Supported print media on page 35 for information on the preferred weight and for the 
grain direction of print media.
Try a sample of any card stock you are considering using with the printer before purchasing a large quantity.
See Print media weights on page 40 for information on the preferred weight of media.
When printing on card stock:
Set the Paper Type menu item in the Paper Menu to Card Stock from the operator panel, from the printer driver, or 
from MarkVision Professional. Set the Paper Weight to CardStock Weight, and select the CardStock Weight as 
Normal or Heavy for the value. Set this from the operator panel, the printer driver, or from MarkVision Professional. 
Use Heavy for card stock weighing more than or heavier than 163 g/m
2 (90 lb).
Be aware that preprinting, perforation, and creasing can significantly affect the print quality and cause media 
handling or jamming problems.
Avoid using card stock that may release hazardous emissions when heated.
Do not use preprinted card stock manufactured with chemicals that may contaminate the printer. Preprinting 
introduces semi-liquid and volatile components into the printer.
The use of grain long card stock is recommended.
Storing print media
Use the following guidelines to avoid paper feeding problems and uneven print quality.
For best results, store media in an environment where the temperature is approximately 21°C (70°F) and the 
relative humidity is 40%.
Most label manufacturers recommend printing in a temperature range of 18 to 24°C (65 to 75°F) with a relative 
humidity of 40 to 60%.
Store cartons of media on a pallet or shelf, rather than directly on the floor.
When storing individual packages of media out of the original carton, make sure they rest on a flat surface so the 
edges do not buckle or curl.
Do not place anything on top of the media packages.
Store paper in its original wrapper until you load it into the printer.
Avoiding jams
Use appropriate print media (paper, transparencies, labels, and card stock) to help ensure trouble-free printing. See 
Supported print media on page 35 for more information.
Note:Try a limited sample of any print media you are considering using with the printer before purchasing 
large quantities.
By selecting the appropriate print media and loading it properly, you can avoid most jams. For detailed tray loading 
instructions, see the following:
Loading standard or optional 500-sheet trays on page 49
Loading the multipurpose feeder on page 52
Loading the 2000-sheet dual input trays on page 55
Loading the 2000-sheet high capacity feeder on page 56
Downloaded From ManualsPrinter.com Manuals 
						

							Avoiding jams
48
Understanding paper and specialty media guidelines
The following hints can help you avoid jams:
Use only recommended print media.
Do not overload the print media sources. Make sure the stack height does not exceed the maximum height 
indicated by the stack line on the labels in the sources.
Do not load wrinkled, creased, damp, or curled print media.
Flex, fan, and straighten print media before you load it. If jams do occur with print media, try feeding one sheet at 
a time through the multipurpose feeder.
Do not use print media that you have cut or trimmed yourself.
Do not mix print media sizes, weights, or types in the same print media source.
Make sure the recommended print side is loaded in the source according to your simplex or duplex needs.
Keep print media stored in an acceptable environment. See Storing print media on page 47.
Do not remove trays during a print job.
Push all trays in firmly after loading them.
Make sure the guides in the trays are properly positioned for the size of print media you have loaded. Make sure 
the guides are not placed too tightly against the stack of print media.
Downloaded From ManualsPrinter.com Manuals 
						

							Printing
49
6Printing
This chapter covers information about loading print media, linking output bins, sending a job to print, printing confidential 
jobs, canceling a print job, printing a menu settings page, a font list, and a directory list. For tips on paper jam prevention 
and print media storage, see Avoiding jams on page 47 or Storing print media on page 47.
Loading standard or optional 500-sheet trays
Your printer has two 500-sheet standard trays. You may have also purchased an optional 2x500-sheet drawer which has 
two additional 500-sheet trays. Print media is loaded into all the 500-sheet trays the same way.
Note:The steps for loading the optional 2000-sheet dual input trays and the 2000-sheet high capacity 
feeder are different than the steps for loading a 500-sheet tray.
To load print media:
Note:Do not remove a tray when a job is printing or when the operator panel indicator light is blinking. Doing 
so may cause a jam.
1Pull out the tray.
Downloaded From ManualsPrinter.com Manuals 
						

							Loading standard or optional 500-sheet trays
50
Printing
2Squeeze the side guide tab, and slide the guide to outside of the tray.
3Squeeze the front guide tab and slide the guide to the correct position for the size media you are loading.
4Flex the sheets back and forth to loosen them, then fan them. Do not fold or crease the print media. Straighten the 
edges on a level surface.
5Load print media in the tray with the print side up.
For information about loading Letter or A4 size media in the short-edge feed position, see Loading Letter or A4 
size print media in the short-edge feed orientation on page 58.
Note:Make sure the print media is below the max fill line on the rear guide. Overloading may cause jams.
Downloaded From ManualsPrinter.com Manuals