How to Fan Paper for a Copier

Store copier paper unopened, flat, and in a dry area.

The best paper for copiers is that which is labeled copy or bond paper. Laser printer and inkjet paper will also work fairly well, but high-speed copiers should have paper marked for copying specifically. Paper for copiers is sold in reams of 500 sheets. For the paper to feed through the copier correctly, the ream should be fanned before insertion into the paper tray. This helps eliminate static electricity and allow the paper to feed through the copier one sheet at a time.

Things You'll Need

• Ream of paper
• Copier

Instructions

1. Note the arrow on the wrapper that indicates which side is the recommended printable side of the paper. Remove the wrapping from the ream and make sure you remember which is the printable side. Keep the paper in a neat stack as much as possible.

2. Remove and discard any wrinkled pages from the top or bottom. Make sure the corners of the stack are not bent or crushed. If the corner of the entire ream is damaged, the paper may not feed through the copier correctly.

3. Hold the ream on one short side with one hand. With the other hand, flip the other end of the ream similar to the way you would view a flip book. Quickly page through the entire ream two or three times.

4. Hold the ream at the other short side and repeat the flipping procedure. This separates the pages and eliminates static electricity so the pages will not stick together inside the copier.

5. Place the ream in the paper drawer of the copier with the printable side up.

Tips & Warnings

• Humidity adversely affects copier paper. Do not take the wrapper off until you are ready to load it into the copier because the wrapper has a moisture barrier.

• Store the paper flat. Store it off the floor in a dry area.

References

• Guide2Copiers: Copier Paper