English 8550MFP Copyright© 2000 Hewlett-Packard Co. Printed in USA Printed on at least 50% Total Recycled Fiber with at least 10% Post-Consumer Paper Manual Part No.
System Ready Reference Guide HP Color LaserJet 8550MFP
© Copyright Hewlett-Packard Company 2000 All Rights Reserved. Reproduction, adaptation, or translation without prior written permission is prohibited, except as allowed under the copyright laws. Publication number C7835-90901 First edition, April 2000 Warranty The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. Hewlett-Packard makes no warranty of any kind with respect to this information.
Contents Overview Section Loading media. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Media specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Loading the input trays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Configuring the media type in the printer unit control panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Media jams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Removing jammed media . . . . .
How to copy the entire original onto the available media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . How to make double-sided copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . How to make copies from a book or magazine . . . . . . How to enhance the image quality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 49 50 56 For more information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overview Section Loading media Media specifications The following types and sizes of media can be used in the HP Color LaserJet 8550MFP system. Media types • • • • • paper pre-punched media transparencies (0.1 to 0.13 mm or 4 to 5 mils thick) envelopes labels Media sizes • • • • • • • • • EN Executive Letter Legal Ledger A5 A4 A3 Minimum (custom sizes): 99 by 190.5 mm (3.9 in by 7.5 in) Maximum (custom sizes): 305 by 470 mm (12 by 18.
Media weight • Tray 1: 60 to 216 g/m2 (16 to 58 lb) • Other input trays: 60 to 105 g/m2 (16 to 28 lb) For complete information on media specifications for this product, see the HP Color LaserJet 8550, 8550N, 8550DN, 8550GN, 8550MFP Printer User Guide on CD-ROM. Note Use Tray 1 (the stack bypass or multipurpose tray) whenever you are copying rotated media. Rotated media are originals that are loaded short-edge first on the glass or in the optional automatic document feeder (ADF).
To load the input trays, first adjust the media-width guides and then load the media. When you have finished loading the media, configure the input tray in the printer unit control panel. For complete instructions on loading and configuring input trays and the media that can be used, see the HP Color LaserJet 8550, 8550N, 8550DN, 8550GN, 8550MFP Printer User Guide on CD-ROM. CAUTION To avoid media jams, never add or remove media while the printer unit is printing. Never overload an input tray.
Loading media into Tray 1 (the multipurpose or stack bypass tray) 1 Open Tray 1. (Use the tray extension if the media is longer than the tray.) 2 Slide the media-width guides to the size that matches the media. 3 Place the media in the tray and slide it into the printer unit until the leading edge rests lightly against the printer unit.
The default mode for Tray 1 is Cassette. When Tray 1 is in Cassette mode, the printer unit will pull media from this tray if the appropriate media is found. Other modes for Tray 1 are MANUAL and FIRST. Configure Tray 1 in the PAPER HANDLING MENU on the printer unit control panel. For more information on configuring the Tray 1 mode, see the HP Color LaserJet 8550, 8550N, 8550DN, 8550GN, 8550MFP Printer User Guide on CD-ROM. Loading media into Trays 2 and 3 1 Open Tray 2 or Tray 3.
3 Load media up to the media-fill marks. Five hundred sheets of 75 g/m2 (20 lb) bond media will fit into either tray. Note Filling the tray above the media-fill mark may cause paper jams. 4 Push the tray into the printer unit. 5 Configure the media type in the PAPER HANDLING MENU in the printer unit control panel (see instructions beginning on page 13).
Overview Loading media into the optional 1,000-sheet side input tray (Tray 4) 1 Lift the tray cover. 2 Adjust the left and right media-width guides as necessary. 3 Place the media into the tray. Note Always bend the stack of paper before placing it into the tray, as shown above. Doing so will help prevent misfeeds or paper jams. Never fan a stack of paper before placing it into the tray.
Note Filling the tray above the media-fill mark may cause paper jams. 4 Close the cover. 5 The default media size for the optional 1,000-sheet side input tray is A4. To change the default from A4 to Letter, set the tab on top of the input tray cover to read LTR. This must be done before the side input tray is pushed back against the printer unit. Slide the tab out towards the back of the side input tray, rotate it, and then slide it back in so that LTR appears in the window.
To configure the input trays 1 Press MENU until PAPER HANDLING MENU appears on the printer unit control panel display. 2 Press ITEM until TRAY TYPE = appears on the display. Note TRAY 1 TYPE = will appear only if Tray 1 is in Cassette mode. 3 Press -VALUE+ until the correct media type appears on the display. 4 Press SELECT to save the selection. An asterisk (*) appears next to the selection. Note Tray 2, Tray 3, and the optional Tray 4 automatically detect the media size.
5 Press ITEM until TRAY 1 SIZE = appears on the display. 6 Press -VALUE+ until the correct media size appears on the display. 7 Press SELECT to save the selection. An asterisk (*) appears to the right of the selection. 8 Repeat steps 2 through 4 to configure media type in all trays. - Or Press GO to bring the printer unit online.
Media jams The procedures on the following pages explain how to clear the most commonly occurring jams. After all jammed media have been removed, the system will warm up and resume printing. The printer unit and copy module control panels display messages and graphics that indicate where a jam has occurred and which doors to open to clear the jam. To clear jams in Tray 1 1 Remove media from Tray 1. 2 Gently remove any jammed media. 3 Load media back into Tray 1 and resume printing.
To clear jams from the lower right door 1 Open the lower right door. If you are using the optional 1,000-sheet side input tray, it must first be moved away from the printer unit. 2 Remove any jammed media. 3 At the left side of the opening, pull the green tab down to lower the bar, remove any jammed media, and release the tab. 4 Close the lower right door. If necessary, reposition the optional 1,000-sheet side input tray.
Overview To clear jams in Trays 2 and 3 1 Make sure there is no media jammed in the lower right door. 2 Open Tray 2 or Tray 3. 3 Remove any jammed media. You might have to remove the tray by lifting it slightly and pulling it out. Look into the opening to locate the jammed media. 4 Close the tray(s).
To clear jams in the optional 1,000-sheet side input tray (Tray 4) 1 Lift the release handle on the top of the tray. 2 Pull the tray away from the printer unit to reveal the media feed slots on the printer unit and on the tray. 3 Remove jammed media from either slot. 4 Push the tray back against the printer unit until it locks into place.
Overview 5 Lift the cover and remove jammed media from the feed slot in the tray. 6 Close the cover.
To clear jams from the fuser area and duplexer WARNING! Do not touch the fuser; it might be very hot and could cause burns. 1 Remove the output tray on the left side of the printer unit. 2 Open the lower left door. 3 Gently remove any jammed media from the duplexer, from the inside of the door, or from between the rollers near the top of the opening. 4 Press the green tab on the right side of the duplexer and pull the duplexer out of the printer unit.
6 On the left side of the fuser, pull down on the green tab, carefully remove any media, and release the tab. Note Repeated jams in the fuser area indicate that the fuser might not be installed properly. Complete steps 7 through 9 if you experience repeated jams in the fuser area; otherwise, proceed to step 10. 7 Press down the large green lever on the right side of the fuser to ensure that it is in its proper position. 8 On each side of the fuser, rotate the blue levers down slightly.
To clear jams from the transfer drum and registration area 1 Open the front door, press the white button on the lower green lever, and swing the lever to the right. 2 Open the upper right door. 3 Using the handles, gently pull out the transfer drum from the right side until it stops. 4 From the front of the printer unit, remove any jammed media. 5 Lift the transfer drum out of the printer unit and remove any media wrapped around the drum. 6 Remove jammed media from inside the opening.
Overview 7 In the front of the printer unit, turn the blue knob counterclockwise to feed the jammed media into the printer unit. 8 From the front of the printer unit, remove the jammed media. 9 On the right side, align the arrows on the ends of the transfer drum with the matching arrows on the tracks inside the printer unit. 10 Push the transfer drum into the printer unit. 11 Close the upper right door.
Note If the upper right door does not close, the transfer drum might not be all the way in the printer unit. Repeat steps 9 and 10. 12 In the front of the printer unit, swing the lower (green) lever back to the left, making sure it clicks into place. Note If the lever does not return to its original position, the transfer drum might not be all the way in the printer unit. Repeat steps 9 and 10. 13 Close the front door.
Overview To clear jams from the left output tray and upper left door 1 Remove the output tray on the left side of the printer unit. 2 Slowly remove any jammed media that are visible. 3 Open the upper left door. 4 Gently remove any jammed media. 5 Close the upper left door.
Solving repetitive media jams If the system continues to jam, try the following: • Check to see if you are using media that meet the media specifications detailed in the “Loading Media” section of this manual. • Make sure that the media are correctly loaded in the input trays and that all media-width guides are correctly set. • Make sure that the tray is not overloaded with media. • Do not use media that is torn, worn, or irregular. • Turn over the stack of media in the tray.
Printing Section Common messages Printer unit control panel messages The following messages are common printer unit control panel messages for conditions that can cause the printer unit to stop working. For a more complete list of messages, see the HP Color LaserJet 8550, 8550N, 8550DN, 8550GN, 8550MFP Printer User Guide on CD-ROM, or contact the system administrator. Note For easy reference, the numeric messages are listed first, and the remaining messages are listed alphabetically.
Printer unit control panel messages (continued) Control panel message Recommended action CLEAR FUSER JAM LOWER LEFT DOOR See “Removing jammed media” on page 15. CLEAR INPUT JAM See “Removing jammed media” on page 15. CLEAR OUTPUT JAM UPPER LEFT DOOR See “Removing jammed media” on page 15. CLEAR PAPER JAM See “Removing jammed media” on page 15. CLEAR TRANSFER JAM See “Removing jammed media” on page 15. CLEAR TRAY 4 JAM See “Removing jammed media” on page 15.
Control panel message Recommended action FUSER LIFE LOW REPLACE KIT Although printing can continue, the fuser should be replaced for optimum printer unit operation. FUSER LIFE OUT REPLACE KIT Replace the fuser kit and reset the fuser counter before attempting to print. INPUT DEVICE PAPER PATH OPEN Close the media transfer door. INSTALL TONER Insert the cartridge or make sure the installed cartridge is fully seated in the printer unit.
Printer unit control panel messages (continued) Control panel message Recommended action TONER OUT REPLACE Printing cannot continue until the specified toner cartridge has been replaced. TOP OUTPUT BIN FULL Remove all media from the top output bin. TRANSFER KIT LOW REPLACE KIT Although printing can continue, the transfer kit should be replaced for optimum printer unit operation. TRANSFER KIT OUT REPLACE KIT Replace the transfer kit and reset the transfer counter before attempting to print.
Job retention features Note The following printer unit features in this manual are all set up and controlled by the driver. The user must select the desired feature at their computer in order for it to be available at the printer unit. Refer to the HP Color LaserJet 8550, 8550N, 8550DN, 8550GN, 8550MFP Printer User Guide on CD-ROM for complete instructions on the driver.
Stored job feature The user can download a print job to the printer unit’s hard disk without printing it. The user can then print the job at any time through the printer unit control panel. For example, a user may want to download a personnel form, calendar, time sheet, or accounting form that other users can access and print from the printer unit control panel. Printing a stored job The user can print a job stored on the printer unit’s hard disk from the printer unit control panel.
Private job feature The private printing feature lets a user specify that a job is not printed until that user releases it using a four-digit personal identification number (PIN) through the printer unit control panel. Specifying a private job The user specifies the PIN in the driver and it is sent to the printer unit as part of the print job. To specify from the driver that a job is private, select the Private Job option and type a four-digit PIN.
Quick copy jobs The quick copy feature prints the requested number of copies of a job and temporarily stores the job on the printer unit’s hard disk. Additional copies of the job can be printed using the printer unit control panel. Printing a quick copy job The user can print a job stored on the printer unit’s hard disk from the printer unit control panel. 1 Press MENU until QUICK COPY JOBS MENU appears. 2 Press ITEM until the desired job name appears. 3 Press SELECT.
Copying Section Introduction This section explains the various features and functions of the HP Color LaserJet 8550MFP copy module.
Copy module control panel features 2 3 4 5 1 6 7 8 9 1 Touch panel display Adjust the copy module’s features using the touch panel display. 2 COPY key Press to switch to the copy feature or to take the copy module out of Energy saver mode. 3 SYSTEM key Press to display system and printer unit information on the touch panel display.
4 Status lights These four lights use colors and blinking patterns to indicate the status of the system. 5 Display contrast dial Turn to adjust the contrast on the touch panel display. 6 RESET key Press to return the copy module to its default setting (Default mode). 7 HELP key Press to display explanations of the system keys and features. 8 ADMINISTRATION Press to select or cancel out of the FUNCTIONS key Administration Functions (also called Additional Functions).
2 1 3 1 2 Numerical key pad CLEAR NUMERIC key Press to reset the copy quantity to one, or to clear the last numeric value that was entered while setting a copy mode. ID (identification) key Enter an identification number, then press ID to access the system. Return the system to a locked mode by pressing ID when the job is complete. VALUE 3 Press to enter the desired number of copies or to enter other numerical values when setting a copy mode.
1 2 3 4 5 1 ACS (Automatic Color Selection) key Press to allow the system to automatically select between the Black Monochrome and Full Color modes. 2 FULL COLOR key Press to select the Full Color mode (copies are made in black, cyan, magenta, and yellow). 3 BLACK key Press to select the Black Monochrome mode. 4 ENERGY SAVER key Press to select the Energy saver mode and reduce energy consumption. Press the key again to cancel the Energy saver mode.
Touch panel display 1 5 6 13 2 8 3 7 4 9 10 11 12 Note This screen appears when all optional accessories are installed. This screen will differ depending on the optional accessories installed on your system. 1 Message display Displays the system status and operator instructions. 2 Copy ratio display Displays the copy ratio setting.
Media size display Displays the media size in the selected tray. 7 Paper select Press to select automatic Paper Selection or a specific tray. 8 Copy quantity indicator Displays the number of copies to be made. 9 Exposure control Press the left-facing arrow (왗) for lighter copies or press the right-facing arrow (왘) for darker copies. Press A (automatic) to select automatic exposure control. 10 Two-sided copying (duplexing) Press to select or cancel duplexing. (See page 49 for more information.
Control panel menu map 1 2 3 4 1 Menu map Provides brief descriptions and translations of control panel keys. 2 Paper clip tray Store removed paper clips here. 3 Power button Press to turn the power on or off. (There is also a power switch, which is located on the right side of the copy module.) 4 Pilot light A green light indicates that the copy module is turned on.
Making copies The copy module makes it easy for you to produce multiple copies of almost any printed original. You can copy pages manually, or stack your unbound originals into the optional automatic document feeder (ADF) and let it automatically copy the pages for you.
• How to enhance the image quality • One-touch color adjustment • Using the original-type feature Other features Numerous other features are available on the copy module. See the HP Color LaserJet 8550MFP Copy Module User Guide on CD-ROM for detailed descriptions of these features and instructions for using them. Some of the additional special copying features include: • Shift: Create margins or move images to different parts of the page.
How to make simple copies Making copies on the glass You can place individual pages or books directly on the glass to make copies. Keep in mind that if you place the media on the glass horizontally, you must load “rotated” media in Tray 1 (the multipurpose tray or stack bypass). “Rotated” means that media is loaded into the tray with the short-edge first. 1 1 Lift the cover. 2 Place the original face-down on the glass.
Making copies with the optional ADF When you place several originals in the optional ADF and press START, they are automatically fed to the glass for copying. Double-sided originals are automatically flipped inside the optional ADF to make copies of both sides. 1 1 Adjust the media-width guides on the optional ADF to fit the size of your originals. 2 Load originals into the ADF tray face up.
How to copy the entire original onto the available media Reducing or enlarging copies You can enlarge or reduce copies using preset copy ratios, automatic zoom settings, or manual zoom settings (for example, reducing from Ledger [11 x 17 in] to Letter or enlarging from A4 to A3). 1 2 1 Place the original on the glass or in the optional ADF. Then press R (reduce) or E (enlarge) on the touch panel display.
Copying a full page You can select the Entire Image mode to copy a full page original without trimming the original. In the Entire Image mode, the copied image is automatically reduced depending on the copy media size and copy image size. Thus, you can take an original image that covers the entire sheet and create a copy that does not crop the edge of the original image. 1 To copy a full-page image 1 Place the original on the glass or in the optional ADF and press ZOOM on the touch panel display.
How to make double-sided copies The copy module has several options for using both sides of the originals to make copies on one or both sides of the copies. • 1→2: Make a double-sided copy from single-sided originals. • 2→2: Make a double-sided copy from a double-sided original. (Requires optional ADF.) • 2→1: Make single-sided copies from a double-sided original.
How to make copies from a book or magazine The following functions allow you to easily copy facing or individual pages of a book or magazine to create high-quality copies. Book to double-sided copying Using the TWO-SIDED button on the touch panel display, as described above, you can make a doublesided copy of facing pages in a book. Choose the Book→2-SIDED option.
1 Book to single-sided copying Use this feature to copy facing pages in a book to two single-sided pages. 1 Press SPECIAL FEATURES on the touch panel display. 2 Press TWO-PAGE SEPARATION.
Book Frame Erase Use Book Frame Erase to remove the dark border, center lines, and contour lines (between pages) from copies of bound documents like books or magazines. To erase shadows from copies 1 Place your original face down on the glass so that its top edge rests against the back of the glass, away from the control panel. Press SPECIAL FEATURES. 2 Press FRAME ERASE. 3 Press BOOK FRAME ERASE, then press OK. 4 Select the size of your original (i.e. the size of the book when opened), then press OK.
5 Specify the width of the center of the book to be erased by using the + and - buttons. Note Press MM to enter values in millimeters. 6 Press OK when the correct center width has been selected. Copying 7 Press DONE, and then press START to make copies.
Second Side Elimination Use Second Side Elimination mode to keep an image from the back side of a lightweight original from appearing on the copy. 1 Place your original on the glass, and then press A (automatic exposure control). 2 Press SPECIAL FEATURES. 3 Press IMAGE QUALITY ADJ.
4 Press 2ND SIDE ELIMINATION. 5 Press OK. Copying 6 Press DONE, and then press START to make copies.
How to enhance the image quality One Touch Color One Touch Color allows you to quickly and easily apply six commonly used image adjustments to modify the color characteristics of the original. • Vivid colors: Makes copies with more vivid hues. • Tranquil colors: Makes copies with subdued hues. • Lighten image: Makes copies with lighter colors. Decreases the strength of the color in the low-exposure range while maintaining a good color balance throughout.
Using One Touch Color 1 Place your original on the glass. 2 Press SPECIAL FEATURES. Copying 3 Press ONE TOUCH COLOR.
4 Select the desired image quality. Note Multiple image qualities can be simultaneously selected, with the exception of the following combinations: Vivid Colors and Tranquil Colors Lighten Image and Darken Image Lighten Image or Darken Image and Highlight Reproduction 5 Press OK. 6 Press DONE. 7 Press START to make copies.
Selecting Original Type You can improve the quality of copies by using Original Type mode to accurately reflect the type of text, photo, or map originals. 2 1 Place the original on the glass or in the optional ADF. 2 Press the original-type icon on the touch panel display. 3 Select one of the following options: 3 • TEXT/PHOTO/MAP: Use this setting for copying originals containing a mixture of text and photo images. • PRINTED IMAGE: Use this setting for copying photographs printed in a magazine.
For more information The following sources provide additional information about the system. Refer to them for procedures and details not covered in this document.
English 8550MFP Copyright© 2000 Hewlett-Packard Co. Printed in USA Printed on at least 50% Total Recycled Fiber with at least 10% Post-Consumer Paper Manual Part No.
