Inkjet Paper and Print Management Tips

Here are some tips for managing and storing inkjet paper and prints to help you use this medium most efficiently and help prevent waste.

• Store your paper sheets in a temperate, dry environment, flat, not upright to prevent warping and curling.
• Download the ICC profiles from the paper manufacturer to produce the most reliable color.
• If your printer requires you to use different black ink for matte vs. glossy or satin paper, swap cartridges if necessary.
• If you are using matte or fine art papers with pigment-based inks, sandwich an interleaving tissue between the prints for storage. Black and darker pigment inks can sometimes rub off and scuff easily on matte and cotton papers.
• Whenever possible, gang prints destined for the same type of paper to save time and reduce scrap size.
• Use smaller sheets cut from larger rolls when there is excess. Your large-format printer can handle a multitude of sizes, so save your scraps if they are of reasonable size.
• Mat your archival prints with archival, 100% cotton, acid-free mat board to prevent yellowing and deterioration over time.
• Store prints in plastic bags or sleeves made from biaxially oriented polypropylene. Avoid using any materials that contain polyethylene or plasticizers that can yellow your paper.