Laser toner - fixing

[manoldgoat]

Does anyone know of a way to prevent toner sticking to the facing page
of laser printed documents?

I want to bind a double sided laser printed document by hand but this
means applying high pressure to the book and this causes some toner to
stick to the facing page. It's not possbile to insert paper between the
pages - is there a treatment I can give the pages (maybe some sort of
spray or heat treatment or ??) that will prevent this?

I'll be grateful for any suggestions
MTIA

 

[phineaspaine]

Does anyone know of a way to prevent toner sticking to the facing page
of laser printed documents?

I want to bind a double sided laser printed document by hand but this
means applying high pressure to the book and this causes some toner to
stick to the facing page. It's not possbile to insert paper between the
pages - is there a treatment I can give the pages (maybe some sort of
spray or heat treatment or ??) that will prevent this?

I'll be grateful for any suggestions
MTIA

not much out there on this topic... did find this, though I don't know
how much help it will provide.

http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byform/mailing-lists/bookarts/2002/01/msg00088.html

IBM documentation seems to indicate that the fuser temp may be too
high, but this is in reference to their highspeed InfoPrint 3000
printer, where such things can be adjusted.

Also, paper selection and quality may have a lot to do with it. Any
possibility of you testing on a variety of papers?

Bullitt

 

[kolorwell]

It is not caused by toner because toner is dry powder and melted-down
on paper surface by over 200 degree C high heating temperature during
printing. The problem is paper absorbs moisture from air.

Recommend use synthetic paper! You may look for “PP synthetic laser
paper” or “Laser plastic document paper”.

 

[manoldgoat]

Thanks for the suggestion but I've used a plastic type of paper in the
past and if anything it was worse. It can be seen quite often if you
keep a laser printed document in a plastic folder. It may depend on the
type of plastic but Tyvex is also a problem.

 

[manoldgoat]

Thanks - you're more skilled at searching than me, I couldn't even find
that article, shame it doesn't suggest a type of spray.

 

[Michael Hopper]

Does anyone know of a way to prevent toner sticking to the facing page
of laser printed documents?

I want to bind a double sided laser printed document by hand but this
means applying high pressure to the book and this causes some toner to
stick to the facing page. It's not possbile to insert paper between the
pages - is there a treatment I can give the pages (maybe some sort of
spray or heat treatment or ??) that will prevent this?

I'll be grateful for any suggestions
MTIA

I would guess that the toner you are using is the problem. This type
of defect is called "document offset" in the industry and is the result
of using toner with too low a softenening point. Are you using OEM
toner or something from the aftermarket? Wax in the toner helps this
problem especially in offset from toned image to toned image areas in
duple printed pages.

Mike

 

[manoldgoat]

Hi

This isn't specific to any one printer, it's a problem with all toner
based processes. It may get worse dependant on the toner, paper, fuser
temperature, combination but it's a recognised problem. It's only when
either a high pressure is applied or lower pressure over a long period
of time but binding a book by hand causes the problem.

Using ink solves the problem but causes others. For example I've not
been able to find an inkjet that can approach the best quality of a
decent laser (or speed or cost per page but that's a different issue).
Inks that are less susceptible to water are available now but I they
are still less permanet than toner. And even using very expensive paper
with an inkjet text is superior using a laser.

 

[ato_zee]

You imply a one off (a = singular) job. Presumably you can experiment. I'd try
a simple domestic electric clothing iron and see if ironing through another sheet
of paper removes any of the surplus toner or "fixes" the print so it doesn't transfer.
Try different temperature settings, also ironing through non-stick papers, or
non-stick oven lining material.
The aim is to see if the heat and pressure from the iron re-fuses the toner
and binds it better to the paper. Most lasers just heat and fuse with light
pressure, upping the anti with higher temperature and pressure from the iron might
aid permanence. Also your laser printer may be running on the cool side,
particularly if running with a continuous printing flow, removing
heat from the fuser.

 

[manoldgoat]

Thanks - 'the' document runs to a little over 1k pages and if it's a
success there may be further work. But I can experiment with an iron +
elbow grease and if it works could probably rig up something a little
more automated.

 

[jasee]

What sort of binder are you using? The binders I've used all work by heating
from the spine, the paper is clamped (not very tightly) in a plastic folder
which has a layer of thermoplastic plastic in. The paper is heated from the
spine for only a minute or two so the printed part doesn't get hot anyway.

If it is only a single document, I've got good results by clamping the paper
between two pieces of wood and painting a layer of pva (wood glue thinned a
bit with water) on the spine. If you then put on a piece of cotton and coat
that with pva, it will be really strong. Don't put on too much pva or it'll
be too stiff. Needs to dry for about 24 hours
Or get it comb or wire bound (if you don't have suitable machines). Doesn't
cost very much.

 

[manoldgoat]

Thanks - but this is to be craft bound with sewn sections and a leather
cover into a 'real' book.