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EN Potential toner cartridge issues 169
6
Transfer of toner image
After printing a document on an HP LaserJet printer, folding it, and
sending it through the mail, you might observe that a portion of the print
image was transferred to opposing surfaces of the folded document.
The laser printing process uses a pigmented, plastic powder (toner) to
form a print image that is first transferred to a sheet of paper (or other
print medium) and then melted (fused) onto the surface of the paper to
form a permanent image. Though paper is usually thought of as being
“soft,” it is actually quite abrasive. When the printed page is folded,
movement under pressure between a paper surface and the toner
image might cause the paper to scratch the toner, causing a transfer of
the toner material onto the opposing surface of the paper. This can be
demonstrated by rubbing a print image against a clean sheet of paper.
Some machinery, such as that used by the U.S. Postal Service to sort
mail, can apply the necessary pressure and agitation to cause this toner
image transfer phenomenon.
To minimize this effect:
• Minimize the amount (or height) of toner used to produce the print
image.
• Use a paper that is less abrasive.
• Ensure optimal fusing of the toner (print) image to the paper.
The amount of toner used to produce a print image is controlled by the
print density dial, slide, or control panel settings in the
HP LaserJet printers. The print density should be adjusted for a lighter
image to reduce the amount of toner prone to abrasive transfer.
HP LaserJet printers have been designed for optimum results with
photocopier (laser) bond papers, such as HP paper. The properties of
this type of paper (for example, surface roughness, composition, and
moisture content) are such that the other causes of potential toner
transfer are minimized. Photocopy papers are typically less abrasive
than other types of media (such as writing bond) and are also
formulated to ensure optimal fusing of the toner image. Using other
types of media will generally yield less than optimal results in laser
printers. For help in selecting media suitable for use in the HP LaserJet
printers, see the HP LaserJet Printer Family Print Media Guide.