GT wrote:
> Not sure this is exactly a PC hardware question, but its definitely not
> software!
>
> Can I use glossy inkjet photo paper in a colour laser printer. I suspect the
> answer is vague and that some papers will be OK, but some might melt and
> stick to the internal parts of the printer.
>
> Is there a way to tell what paper will melt and what will be OK? I can only
> find inkjet photo paper in my local shops, rather than glossy laser photo
> paper and I'm not going to use trial and error to find out which ones work
> and which ones ruin my new colour laser printer!
Inkjet paper may not hold the static charge needed for the toner to get
attracted to the paper in a laser printer.
The glossy finish on inkjet glossy paper is still permeable to the ink
versus trying to bond the carbon to the gloss surface in a laser
printer.
Glossy inkjet paper is intended to absorb the ink sufficiently to
provide a base on which it can dry. It is not intended for the high
heat used for the fuser in a laser printer to bond the carbon to the
surface.
Since the inkjet paper is not intended for static charge distribution of
carbon or the fusing of the carbon onto the surface of the paper, the
result (if the glossy surface hasn't yet gummed up and ruined the fuser)
is that the carbon may not adhere to the paper which means the printout
will smear on the paper.
The inkjet paper is likely to curl due to the heat. With the melted
glossy surface, it'll stick to the fuser. If you thought buying the
toner cartridge was pricey, wait until you have to buy a new fuser (if
it's separate from the cartridge).
If you're so short of cash that you cannot afford glossy *laser* paper
to use in your laser printer, why are you wasting money to get the
glossy effect or even sending out hardcopies of your mass mailing rather
than using e-mail (possibly pointing to a web site with all your glitzy
content since e-mail clients usually strip it all out as a security
measure)?
Hammermill Color Laser Gloss Paper, $12.29/300 sheets:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16828800596
Same stuff for $8.94 at Walmart (really low shipping fee):
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hammermill...i_sku=14915560
You really want to sacrifice your laser printer to save ~$10 to buy the
proper paper?