EN 19Paper basics
• Room temperature. Store the paper at room temperature and at a relative humidity of 45% to 55%.
20° to 24°C (68° to 75°F)
Relative humidity of
45% to 55%
• Keep away from doors, windows, and vents. Avoid storing paper and print media near heating and air
conditioning vents, or near windows and doors that are used frequently. The temperature and humidity
fluctuations near these areas could damage the paper.
• Flat surface only. Store the paper on a flat surface, preferably in a cabinet or on a shelf. Do not store
paper on uneven surfaces, like the top of the printer or the edge of a table. This can adversely affect the
physical properties of the paper and cause poor print quality, paper jams, or paper pick issues.
Inside drawer
Uneven surface
Uneven surface
On top of the printer
• The three-month rule. As a general rule, do not purchase more paper than you can use in three
months. Paper that is stored for long periods of time can suffer damage by extended exposure to the
environment.
How temperature and humidity can cause paper jams
The following section explains how your paper can be damaged by environmental conditions and cause paper
jams.
Paper is hygroscopic. Ambient humidity and temperature fluctuations can affect the following physical
characteristics of printer paper:
• Paper weight
• Paper thickness
• Paper rigidity
Heating systems and air conditioners remove humidity from the air, and evaporative coolers add humidity to the
air. If paper package is left open, paper can lose or gain moisture. Paper that has lost moisture content streaks
and smudges when printing.
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