Here a few tricks of the trade known only to those who work at copy centers. These tips will help you get better results and have less problems when using copiers.
Step 1
Select the right paper for the job. General copies (home use or rough drafts) can be printed on 20 lb paper. Use inkjet paper for inkjet copiers and laser paper for laser machines. Multi-purpose paper is ok also and may work in several types of machines. 24 lb paper is good for more professional or business documents. Photo or glossy paper is best for photos. Paper weights or thicknesses are 20, 22, 24, 28, 32, 50-60 lb+.
Step 2
Get the highest brightness number on the package for the whitest paper. Numbers range from about 84 brightness to over 100. A lot of today's paper is acid-free but check the label to be sure.
Step 3
Stack and neaten papers to be copied with your hands and check that there are no edges sticking out, folded, stapled, torn, or loosely taped. Smooth paper feeds easily through the machine and has less chance of getting jammed or damaged.
Step 4
Place the copies in the top feeder (usually face/print side up) or place the document on the glass (face/print down) beside the arrow. There should be paper size guides on the sides to help you. Adjust any trays to your size paper. If the item to be copied is small, place a white sheet behind the item to avoid using excess ink or getting gray or black shadows on copies.
Step 5
Choose the correct drawer/tray where the paper will be pulled from. Most copiers can use letter (8.5x11) legal (8.5x14) or ledger (11x17) size. There is also a side feeder tray for heavy weight paper such as glossy photo paper or greeting card stock. Do not put this type of paper in the bottom trays. (Paper will jam and could damage the machine.) This paper must be run through slowly and on a heavyweight, glossy, or card stock setting. Transparencies should also use this tray, and have a special machine setting. Since transparencies are clear, the machine may not recognize them unless a transparency setting is selected.
Step 6
Select the lightness or darkness by pressing a button. News print, color to black and white, or photos will need to be lightened. Light text, light colors, or pencil drawings need to be darkened to show up well.
Step 7
Use the photo setting on the machine. This will give the best detail.
Step 8
Some copiers will automatically collate, staple, or hole punch. Check the appropriate setting for what you need.
Step 9
Remember that copies print best from a white or light pastel colored original. Deep color originals (red, green, purple, blue) will copy gray and will be unreadable. Use white originals to print on color paper.
Step 10
To avoid spots or smudges on copies, clean the glass or use white out on your original before copying.
Step 11
Select the number of copies or sets you need.
Step 12
Press the large copy button (usually green). If something goes wrong, there is usually a red stop button, but it may take the machine a few seconds to stop. If the machine needs more info, an error message will pop up or if paper has become jammed, the machine will show you the area and may have steps to follow to clear the trapped page and continue.
Step 13
Adjust settings in the machine if your copy is not how you like it. Pages that have been ripped out of a notebook (torn edges) can be moved over or there may be a margin shift button on the machine to make a better copy.
Tips
- Use cover up tape, correction fluid (white out) or tape white paper over areas you don't want to copy. Always be sure to tape all edges down so nothing will get pulled off in the machine.
- Copies are as good as your original. If your original is in good shape, the copies will be also. If your original is already too dark, too light, has typos, or is a bad quality photo, the machine will not be able to fix this. Use another document or photo. Damaged photos can be scanned and edited by using computer software.
- Some copiers have a book mode or are able to make multiple images on a page. Also check copy options to reduce and enlarge if needed.
- If a photo is too red, (age/faded) you can lower the color magenta in the copy settings. It may be under the hue/color saturation setting. Cool adds more blue, warm adds more red. Special red-eye pens (check the camera/photo dept of a store) can darken the eyes in pictures.
- If copying a newspaper or magazine article with images on the back side (which may appear as ghosted images on your copies), first place your original on the glass of the copier and then place something dark (or red, as copiers see red as black or dark grey) on top of the sheet before you close the cover. This will even out the colors on the backside and prevent the images appearing as ghosts on your copies.
Warnings
- If you are copying onto transparencies, ensure that you use transparencies speficically marked "for copiers". These transparencies are made of plastic that can handle the high internal temperature of a photocopier. Cheaper transparencies will melt onto the machinery and require that a new drum be purchased. Depending on the copier, this will cost $500 to $3000.
- Let white out dry completely before copying. The liquid will stick to the copy glass and make spots on copies and is hard to clean off the copier.
- Staples, tape, torn pages, etc. need to be removed or repaired before making copies. Any loose ends or jagged edges will get stuck in the machine or damage your original. Staples can also scratch the copy glass.
- Books, magazines, cd covers, sports cards, etc. and other items that can be purchased are usually copyrighted. Check the front, back or bottom of items for copyright info. Government forms, driver's licenses, passports, and other legal documents may have special rules for copying. Check with your state laws. These items should not be copied unless the info says it's ok. Copy centers are not allowed to print things without written consent or other permission from the one who created the item, or article. In certain circumstances, teachers, students, or the media may print a few pages of an item. This is called "fair use." Check this out before copying.
- Professional posed or studio pictures are also copyrighted by the photographer or company (even if you purchased them) and will usually say 'do not copy' on the back. Some photographers allow you to purchase the copyright and use these photos as you wish.
