Printer paper paths
One of the most annoying things about having a printer is probably having to clear paper jams. Depending on the printer you have, these can happen rather frequently or not often at all. For short instructions on how to clear your paper jam, consult Ehow Generally if you get a paper jam, it has something to do with your paper path. What is a paper path, though? A paper path is simply the path at which your paper feeds through the printer when printing a document.
Does your printer have only one paper tray in front of it? If so, you are probably operating with a U-shaped paper path, meaning the paper follows a U-shaped path when it prints. It feeds from the tray, curves in the back and then ejects back out into the front paper tray. To most users, this is the least popular path, because it will result in more paper jams than the other types. It is also the least efficient path.
The second type of paper path is the L-shaped paper path. In these printers, the paper feeds from the input tray (generally located at the top of the machine) then bends as it hits the print area. When it is finished printing, it will come out straight through the front. Generally thick papers won’t work as well as thin papers in an L-shaped system.
The last paper type—which is the most popular and optimal—is a straight through paper path. These come in two different varieties—one will feed from the front and position at the back so it comes through the front or feed from the back and come to the front. For those of you who plan on printing thick media or envelopes, the other types won’t work as well as the straight through path will. Straight through paper paths are known for causing the fewest printer jams.