Controlling Print Jobs

In the Microsoft Windows operating system, three settings affect how the printer driver tries to pull paper when a print job is sent. The Source, Type, and Size settings appear in the Page Setup, Print, or Print Properties dialog boxes in most software programs. The printer automatically selects a tray using the default printer settings if the above settings are not changed.

Source

Printing by Source means choosing a specific tray from which the user wants the printer to pull paper. The printer tries to print from this tray, no matter what type or size is loaded. If one chooses a tray that is configured for a type or size that does not match the print job, the printer does not print automatically. Instead, it waits for the user to load the tray with the type or size of print media for the print job. If the tray is loaded, the printer begins printing. Pressing the button on the printer displays options to print from another tray.

Type and Size

Printing by Type or Size means that the user wants the printer to pull paper or print media from the appropriate tray loaded with the correct type and size. Selecting media by type rather than source is similar to locking out trays and helps protect special media from accidental use. For example, if a tray is configured for letterhead and the driver is specified to print on plain paper, the printer will not pull the letterhead from that tray. Instead, it will pull paper from a tray that has plain paper loaded and is configured for plain paper on the printer control panel. Selecting media by Type and Size results in significantly better print quality for heavy paper, glossy paper, and transparencies. Using the wrong setting might result in unsatisfactory print quality. Always print by Type for special print media, such as labels or grayscale transparencies. Print by Size for envelopes, if possible.

To print by Type or Size, select the Type or Size from the Page Setup dialog box, the Print dialog box, or the Print Properties dialog box, depending on the application.

If one often prints on a certain type or size of media, the printer administrator (for a network printer) or the user (for a local printer) can configure a tray for that type or size. Then, when the user chooses that type or size while printing a job, the printer pulls media from the tray configured for that type or size.

Print setting priorities

Changes made to print settings are prioritized according to where the changes are made as follows:
NOTE: The names of commands and dialog boxes may vary depending on the program.

Page Setup dialog box. This dialog box opens when the Page Setup or a similar command on the File menu of the program being used is clicked on. Settings changed here override settings changed anywhere else.

Print dialog box. This dialog box opens when the Print, Print Setup, or a similar command on the File menu of the program being used is clicked on. Settings changed in the Print dialog box have a lower priority and do not override changes made in the Page Setup dialog box.

Printer Properties dialog box (printer driver). The printer driver opens when the Properties in the Print dialog box is clicked on. Settings changed in the Printer Properties dialog box do not override settings available anywhere else.

Default printer settings. The default printer settings determine settings used in all print jobs, unless settings are changed in the Page Setup, Print, or Printer Propertiesdialog boxes, as described above. There are two ways to change the default printer settings:

Click Start, Settings, Printers, and then right-click the printer icon, and click Properties.

Click Start, Control Panel, and then select the Printers folder, right-click the printer icon, and click Properties.

CAUTION: To avoid affecting print jobs of other users, make printer setup changes through the software application or the printer driver whenever possible. Printer setup changes made through the control panel become default settings for subsequent jobs. Changes made through an application or the printer driver affect only that specific job.

Selecting print media

Many types of paper and other print media can be used with this printer. This section provides guidelines and specifications for selecting and using different print media.

Before purchasing any media or specialized forms in quantity, verify that the paper supplier obtains and understands the print media requirements specified in the HP LaserJet Family Print Media Guide.

It is possible that media could meet all of the guidelines in this chapter and still not print satisfactorily. This may be due to abnormal characteristics of the printing environment or to other variables over which Hewlett-Packard has no control (for example, extremes in temperature and humidity).

NOTE: Hewlett-Packard recommends testing any media before buying it in large quantities

CAUTION: Using media that does not conform to the specifications listed here or in the paper specification guide can cause problems that require service. This service is not covered by the Hewlett-Packard warranty or service agreements.

Media to avoid

This printer can handle many types of media. Use of media outside the printer?s specifications will cause a loss of print quality and increase the chance of paper jams.

Do not use paper that is too rough.

Do not use paper with cutouts or perforations other than standard 3-hole punched paper.

Do not use multipart forms.

Do not use paper that has already been printed on or that has been fed through a photocopier.

Do not use paper with a watermark while printing solid patterns.

Paper that can damage the printer

In rare circumstances, paper can damage the printer. Avoid the following paper to prevent possible damage to the printer:

Do not use paper with staples attached.

Do not use transparencies designed for inkjet printers or other low-temperature printers, or transparencies designed for monochrome printing. Use only transparencies that are specified for use with HP Color LaserJet printers.

Do not use photo paper intended for inkjet printers.

Do not use paper that is embossed or coated and is not designed for the temperatures of the image fuser. Select media that can tolerate temperatures of 190 C (374 F) for 0.1 second.

Do not use letterhead paper with low-temperature dyes or thermography. Preprinted forms or letterhead must use inks that can tolerate temperatures of 190 C (374 F) for 0.1 second.

Do not use any media that produces hazardous emissions, or that melts, offsets, or discolors when exposed to 190 C (374 F) for 0.1 second.