Media Issues In Electrophotographic Digital Printing

Abstract

Print quality is of paramount importance in both the digital industry and the print-on-demand (POD) book publishing industry. Several factors, such as, media properties, toner attributes and fusing technology, play a critical role in the quality of print output. In terms of media properties, surface characteristics (smoothness, surface treatments and energy), electrical properties and dimensional stability have a direct bearing on print quality. Toner parameters affecting print quality include particle size, toner charge to mass ratio, powder flow and melt rheology. The type of fusing (contact v/s non-contact) and fuser roll materials can also influence print quality.An overview of each of these factors and their influence on digital printing (both monochrome and color) will be discussed. Further, this paper is an investigation of the correlation between media and EP materials in a typical digital printing industry, new test methodology and print output quality.