By Editor
Dan Smith, Head of Integrated Marketing for the MEA region of Xerox’s Developing Markets Operations on how you can maintain your printer for optimal performance day in day out
Got a Paper Jam? Is your printer flashing with an Error Warning? Is your printer giving you instructions that seem to make absolutely no sense…?
It seems easy to forget about your printer and give all your attention to that fabulous, shiny NEW PC, Notebook, OR nowadays that fancy new Tablet craze! We suggest to a few minutes a week to ensure your printer has all the necessary ‘tools’ to make sure you don’t get left behind – as after all, a printer is such an important support to your overall computer requirements!
Here are a few tips from leading document management solutions provider, Xerox, to help guide you through an easy & efficient relationship with your printer…
Clean your printer as you go!
The printer heads are prone to clogging if they are not used on a regular basis, so make sure you give those printer cartridges a good clean on a regular basis – just be sure to use a lint-free cloth to do this.
If you’re running on a busy schedule and you use your printer quite often, then have a think about all those pieces of paper rolling through the printer. It is unlikely that each and every piece of paper will roll through without a tear coming off the paper. These tears attach themselves to the rollers or other awkward printer elements. Therefore make sure you open up your printer every now and again and give it a quick wipe down.
Spoil your printer with good quality paper!
Believe it or not, but the type of paper you use contributes to the ‘health’ of your printer. Try to use thicker paper to avoid paper jams and tears. Low quality paper often leads to problems like tearing and also produces prints that can be visible on the other side (in case of inkjet printers). So no matter how tempting the low prices of substandard printing paper may be, it’s always better to use good quality paper for your printer’s good health
Give your printer a bit of a work out, turn it on & off!
One of the best ways to take care of your printer…use it! Many people do not use their printer, whereby in a digital age, most information tends to stay on the computer. At least twice a week print something that will use all the printer elements. A colourful website will do but give it a bit of a ‘workout’ and most of the other maintenance issues will never arise.
Don’t forget to use your printer…
Again, the printer heads is the area where most preventable maintenance issues occur. Most people turn off their PC or Notebook but not their printer. This leaves the printer heads exposed to the air and possibly drying out. Ensuring you turn off your printer will cover the printer heads, particularly if you are in a dusty area such as the UAE or you have a house pet. Always remember, dust and hair will destroy your printer!