Purpose
This article explains the 'Paper Loading' feature and how it works.
Explanation
When using a pre-printed form or other type of media that requires a specific orientation, understand that, when it is necessary to print on both sides of the page (duplex), the paper must be loaded into the paper tray differently than when printing on only one side of the page (simplex).
The Paper Loading feature can allow a user to load a specific paper type for duplex two-sided printing and then change between duplex and simplex single-sided printing without having to reload the paper into the paper tray. When simplex printing is selected from Print Properties in Windows or the Print Dialog in Macintosh, the printer prints a blank page on one side so the job prints correctly.
NOTES:
- The one exception to the above rule is label stock. IMPORTANT! Labels should never be fed through the duplex mechanism. Doing so exposes the back side of the label stock to the heat roller on the fuser unit, which can cause the labels to peel off and catch on rollers in the printer.
- Selecting the Paper Loading feature for one paper type will not affect other paper types.
- To set the printer to default to duplex printing for all print jobs, use the Finishing menu located in the menus on the operator panel.
Actions
To utilize the Paper Loading setting feature, load the paper into the tray as if you plan to print duplex (both front and back sides of the paper). For information on how to orient the paper correctly, see the 'Loading paper and specialty media' section of your printer's Users Guide. NOTE:Click here to view an example for T64x, T65x, and X65x series printers ('x' represents any number).
Select Duplex as the Paper Loading value for that media type. For instructions, please consult your printer's Users Guide.
If Paper Loading is set to Duplex, the print speed for single-sided pages will drop slightly because the printer still needs to feed the page through the duplex mechanism in order to position the page correctly, even though it is printing only the one side. Duplex printing speed is not affected.
The tables below describe how the pages will feed through and exit the printer and how the value of the Paper Loading and the Duplex settings affect this.
NOTE:The terms used in the following tables are defined as follows:
- Simplex means that only the front side of each page will have print on it.
- Duplex means that both the front and back sides of each page will have print on it.
- Front refers to the front side of a page or pre-printed form.
- Back refers to the back side of a page or pre-printed form.
- Sheet 1...Sheet [n] refers to the order of the pages as they will be in the output bin, from 1 (first) through “n” (last).
- Blank indicates that side of the page was left blank, or that a blank page was printed. NOTE: If the printer receives a command from the software/program to print a blank page, a separate blank page will be printed.
When the Paper Loading setting is set to Off
Value for the 'Duplex' setting on the printer | | If media/paper is loaded for simplex printing | If media/paper is loaded for duplex printing |
Off (Only the front side of the page is printed on.) | | Sheet 1 Front: Page 1 Sheet 1 Back: Blank Sheet 2 Front: Page 2 Sheet 2 Back: Blank ... Sheet n Front: Page n Sheet n Back: Blank | Sheet 1 Front: Blank Sheet 1 Back: Page 1 Sheet 2 Front: Blank Sheet 2 Back: Page 2 ... Sheet n Front: Blank Sheet n Back: Page |
On (Both front and back sides of the page are printed on.) | | Sheet 1 Front: Page 2 Sheet 1 Back: Page 1 Sheet 2 Front: Page 4 Sheet 2 Back: Page 3 ... Sheet n/2 Front: Page n Sheet n/2 Back: Page (n-1) | Sheet 1 Front: Page 1 Sheet 1 Back: Page 2 Sheet 2 Front: Page 3 Sheet 2 Back: Page 4 ... Sheet n/2 Front: Page (n-1) Sheet n/2 Back: Page n |
When the Paper Loading setting is set to On
Value for the 'Duplex' setting on the printer |
| If media/paper is loaded for simplex printing | If media/paper is loaded for duplex printing |
Off (Only the front side of the page is printed on.) | | Sheet 1 Front: Blank Sheet 1 Back: Page 1 Sheet 2 Front: Blank Sheet 2 Back: Page 2 ... Sheet n Front: Blank Sheet n Back: Page n | Sheet 1 Front: Page 1 Sheet 1 Back: Blank Sheet 2 Front: Page 2 Sheet 2 Back: Blank ... Sheet n Front: Page n Sheet n Back: Blank |
On (Both front and back sides of the page are printed on.) | | Sheet 1 Front: Page 2 Sheet 1 Back: Page 1 Sheet 2 Front: Page 4 Sheet 2 Back: Page 3 ... Sheet n/2 Front: Page n Sheet n/2 Back: Page (n-1) | Sheet 1 Front: Page 1 Sheet 1 Back: Page 2 Sheet 2 Front: Page 3 Sheet 2 Back: Page 4 ... Sheet n/2 Front: Page (n-1) Sheet n/2 Back: Page n |
Additional Information
If you have any questions on this issue, please contact Lexmark Technical Support.
When contacting Lexmark for assistance, please be prepared to describe the problem you are experiencing and any troubleshooting steps already taken. You will also need to know the printer's model/machine type and serial number (SN). Find this information on labels located under the upper front cover or on the back of the machine.
NOTE: When calling Lexmark Technical Support, please call from near the printer in case the technician on the phone asks you to perform a troubleshooting task on the printer.
LEGACY ID: SO5176