“Can laser printers print on glossy paper,” is the common question that consumers ask while buying a laser printer. The short answer is yes, a laser printer can print on glossy paper, but it is not very easy, and the results are not always perfect, especially if you are not choosing the right type of paper.
This article will discuss if a laser printer can print on glossy paper. We will discuss all aspects and try to find why it is difficult for the laser printer to print on glossy paper and how to do it.
Table of Contents
What is a laser printer?
A laser printer is a printer that uses a laser beam to transfer text or image on paper. The laser beam fire the images on a paper surface as the paper pass through a roller. Once the pattern is created, it is coated with toner.
What is an Inkjet printer?
An inkjet printer works very differently than a laser printer. It does not use any beam of light to transfer the image on paper through the toner.
It uses ink instead. The inkjet printer works in a way as to spray the ink onto paper. It uses high-resolution ink dots to copy the image or characters on the paper.
The inkjet printer features tiny nozzles for spraying ink on paper. It is called jets. The inkjet technique sprays ink onto the paper, and the paper absorbs it.
What is Glossy Paper?
Glossy paper is a special type of paper that is used for printing cards or graphics. It gives a different feel and looks than plain paper. A glossy paper is different in feel and look, but it is also slightly thicker in texture than plain paper.
Unlike plain paper that is light and very simple, the glossy paper has a shine to it. The gloss on paper makes it feel and look very shiny. It makes your images or graphics stand out on the paper. The glossy paper has more applied coating and gives a vibrant effect.
Why Is It Difficult For A Laser Printer To Print On Glossy Paper?
It is mainly because of the finish and making of the glossy paper. It is also due to the difference of technology involved in laser printing and the different textures of a glossy paper.
A glossy paper has extra varnish on its surface, making it shine more and gives it a glow. It is designed for inkjet papers that spray the ink on its surface, and the paper absorbs the ink.
A laser printer works differently. It does not spray the ink on its surface. The laser printer heats the toner, which is used for printing. It heats the toner and spreads its melted form onto the paper passing through its rollers. The melted toner powder is very hot, and it may not suit the glossy paper. The extra shine or varnish on the glossy paper can stick to the rollers due to heat, giving not very pleasant results.
How To Print On Glossy Paper Through A Laser Printer?
As we already have mentioned, the glossy paper has a shine and varnish on the surface, which may melt or stick to the rollers making it difficult to print ton a glossy paper. Here are a few ways one can print on glossy paper:
Choose the Right Paper.
When you are buying glossy paper for printing with a laser printer, it is essential to watch for paper quality. Don’t buy any glossy paper. You should buy glossy paper that is specifically designed for laser printing.
Change the Settings.
You need to change the print media type as well from the standard paper to glossy paper. Go to the Print/Preferences/Paper Media type. From here, you can select the type of media for printing.
Manual Feed.
As we said, glossy paper is a bit thicker than plain paper. Instead of running it through a paper tray, use the manual paper feed mechanism and feed it through the bypass paper tray.
Feed one page at a time through the manual tray feed. Due to the additional thickness and varnish on it, the two glossy papers can stick together.
Open the Output Door.
Open the output door so that paper comes out of it straight. Don’t remove the paper at once but wait for it to dry before touching it or inserting it into a page protector.
Adjust the DPI.
If you are getting smudge results on a glossy paper even with all these steps, then go for the printer’s settings. Most of the printers are set on by default dpi settings of 600×600 dpi. If your printer is smudging the pictures on glossy paper, you should adjust the dpi settings. Make it 300×300 dpi, and you would notice better results. Lowing the dpi puts the printer at a better chance of fusing less toner on the paper.
With these simple steps, you can print on glossy paper as well. These steps slow down the printing process so that inks are dried, and results are more sharp and crisp.
Final Words
Printing on photo paper with a laser printer is not easy. Just like that, printing on glossy paper is also not easy. The glossy surface may stick with the hot toner, and the photos and graphics are smudged. Make sure you choose the right printer and the right paper for the job. When laser printing photo paper a4, make sure you change the settings of the printer.
Reduce the dpi settings and choose an a4 paper for the print media. Also, it is not a good idea to put the photo paper in the paper tray. You should feed the paper in manual feed and open the outdoor so that the printing sheet comes out straight. We hope that with all these steps, you can print on glossy paper with a laser printer.
