When considering which size of printer paper to use with your ledger printer, it's essential to understand that the machine's capabilities play a significant role. Ledger printers are typically designed to handle continuous forms (Conn) or fanfold paper, which are different from ordinary cut-sheet paper.
Understanding the dimensions and formats of printer paper is crucial for ensuring compatibility with your ledger printer. In this guide, we'll delve into the various sizes of printer paper compatible with ledger printers, their uses, and how to ensure you're using the correct type.
Continuous Forms (Conn) Paper
Continuous forms paper, also known as web-fed paper, is a long, continuous roll of paper that's fed directly into the printer. It's popular for printing documents such as ledgers, invoices, and reports.
Conn paper comes in various widths, with the most common being 17", 24", and 36" (432, 609, and 915 mm). The width is tailored to the specific ledger printer model and the paper's intended use:
17" (432 mm) Conn Paper
The 17" width is popular for printing multipart forms, where copies are required (like in accounting or order processing). It's also used for printing single-part documents requiring a narrower format, such as statements or reports.
Examples of 17" printer models include the Epson TM-T20III and the Canon IP7200.
24" (609 mm) Conn Paper
This width is often used for wider documents, such as large financial reports, architectural drawings, or mapping papers. It's also suitable for printing single-part documents that require more space than the 17" width offers.
Printers like the Zebra ZD520 and the Datamax-Mors M-Class support 24" paper.
36" (915 mm) Conn Paper
The widest continuous form, 36" paper, is used for extra-wide documents, such as blueprint copies or engineering drawings. It's rarely used for multipart forms due to the increase in paper waste when printing copies on such a large scale.
Examples of printers that support 36" paper include the Okidata 4901 and the Toshiba B-EP4.
Fanfold Paper
Fanfold paper is a type of pre-perforated, continuous paper stored in a zigzag pattern. It's designed to be fed into a printer just like Conn paper, but it's easier to manage due to its folded form.
Fanfold paper is typically available in two widths: 14.875" (380 mm) and 17". These widths are chosen because they correspond to the standard paper widths used in ledger printers, as discussed earlier:
14.875" (380 mm) Fanfold Paper
This width is usually used for multipart forms where copies are needed. It's also suitable for single-part documents that fit this narrower format.
Fanfold printers that support this width include the Supra Wandafit and the stdio03.
17" Fanfold Paper
The 17" width is popular for printing both single- and multipart documents, depending on the specific needs of the enterprise. It's more versatile than the 14.875" width, as it can handle a wider range of document sizes.
Examples of printers that support 17" fanfold paper include the Ricoh B111 and the KYOCERA T4130.
When choosing the right size of printer paper for your ledger printer, always consult your machine's user manual to ensure compatibility. Consider the specific needs of your documents to make an informed decision.