Transparency film can be confusing to work with in the office for the first time. We expect it to work much as standard printer paper would. In reality, there are many different types of transparency films, with varying compositions and thickness levels.

When using transparency film for laser printers or inkjet printers, there are things that you can do in order to get the best possible results. This will also ensure that you end up wasting far fewer pieces of transparency films on botched attempts. Let’s explore some of the most important steps to getting the most out of your transparencies for laser or inkjet printers.

1. Double Check Your Printer

A lot of people, especially office workers, attempt to use transparency film for laser printers without realizing that they aren’t actually working with compatible printers. This is because, if we didn’t buy the printer ourselves or perhaps bought it in haste, we often assume that it’s compatible with the product we’re using without double-checking.

This is a fairly simple process. All you really need to do is check your printer’s manual in order to make sure that it’s compatible with the transparency film that you’re considering. Some printers may be compatible with certain types of transparency films and not others. Transparency film for inkjet printers won’t necessarily work with laser printers, for example. If you or your office administrator didn’t keep your printer’s manual, a quick Google search should be able to bring the manual up online.

2. Make Sure You’re Buying the Right Film

Not all transparency film for laser printers is going to be of equal quality to its competitors. It’s a better idea to spend more on high quality transparency film as opposed to simply paying less at first while ultimately spending more on replacements and potentially fixing your damaged printer.

The reality of transparency films is that there are actually special coatings applied to the films in order to prepare them for printing. Different coatings will serve different purposes, and obviously not every type of film is going to have the same types of coatings. Transparency film for laser printers will have a very different coating compared to transparency paper for ink jet printing, for example. If you’re trying to laser print something on a transparency, therefore, make sure that you’re buying a product specifically made for laser printing. If you own write-on transparency film already, put that aside; it will not work with any printers.

3. Make Sure You Know the Printable Side

Don’t assume that you’re working with the printable side of the film when you actually may not be. As you’re using a transparent film, it may be difficult for you to be sure at first. Usually, there will be a label indicating which side is printable, but that’s easy to miss. Transparency papers normally have a smooth and textured side. The textured side is an indication of the coatings applied to be able to accept a print from toner or ink.

4. Load the Film Correctly

This may seem obvious, but a lot of people don’t do it correctly! Open your printer tray and scan it for an icon that tells you which way to place the paper. The problem with printing on the wrong side is that the printing often will not adhere to the material as it should. This results in a smeared or simply incomprehensible mess. If you are using transparencies with a removable stripe, make sure your removable stripe is the leading edge feeding into your printer. If you are using a paperbacked transparency the edge where the paper backing is adhered should be the leading edge. The paper backing can then be removed after printing or left in place to reduce static.

5. Check Your Printer Settings

Even if you have the right kind of printer, you may not be using the correct settings. Usually, you’ll want to use the highest quality setting, with high saturation and high contrast. If you are asked to indicate the type of paper you’re working with, you’ll want to choose transparency. If that is not an option, select glossy paper.

As you work with transparency film, you should make sure that you’re keeping the film in its original packaging. These measures will ensure that the film is kept protected from the elements. This will help you get the most out of your transparency film and have the best possible printing results.