How Humidity and Temperature Affect Print Quality
Are your prints curling, smudging, or jamming more in summer or winter? Environmental conditions have a bigger impact than you might think.
What's Happening
Your printer worked perfectly last month, but now suddenly you're dealing with curled pages, jammed paper, or smudged ink. What changed? Often the answer is the weather. Temperature and humidity affect both paper and printers in significant ways. Paper absorbs moisture from humid air causing it to expand and curl, while dry winter air makes paper brittle and prone to static. Meanwhile, your printer's components—especially in inkjet printers—are designed to operate within specific temperature and humidity ranges. Go outside those ranges and you'll run into problems.
Quick Checks (Do These First)
- Check current conditions - Is it very humid (summer, rainy weather) or very dry (winter, heated indoor air)?
- Look at paper storage - Has paper been sitting in the printer tray for weeks absorbing moisture or drying out?
- Note when problems occur - Do issues happen only in certain seasons or after weather changes?
- Inspect the paper - Does it feel damp or brittle? Are the edges curled before even printing?
Step-by-Step Fixes
Fix 1: Control Your Environment
The ideal printing environment is stable and moderate.
- Maintain room temperature between 68-77°F (20-25°C)
- Keep humidity levels between 40-60%
- Use a dehumidifier in very humid conditions (coastal areas, summer)
- Use a humidifier in very dry conditions (winter, desert climates)
- Don't place your printer near windows, air conditioners, or heating vents
- Avoid garages, basements, or outdoor sheds where temperature and humidity fluctuate dramatically
Consistent environmental conditions prevent most paper-handling and quality issues related to weather.
Fix 2: Store Paper Properly
Paper quality degrades when exposed to poor storage conditions.
- Keep paper in its original sealed packaging until ready to use
- Store paper packages flat, not on their edges
- Don't load more paper in the printer than you'll use in a week
- If paper has been sitting in the printer for weeks, remove it and store it sealed
- Before printing, let sealed paper sit near the printer for 24 hours to acclimate to room temperature and humidity
- Only unwrap paper immediately before loading it into the printer
- Store paper in a cool, dry place away from moisture sources
Paper that has equilibrated to your printer's environment will feed and print much more reliably.
Fix 3: Address Humidity-Specific Problems
High humidity causes distinct issues that need specific solutions.
- For curling paper: Fan the paper stack before loading to separate sheets that may be sticking
- For ink smudging: Select a higher quality or slower print setting to allow more drying time
- For jamming: Load smaller amounts of paper in the tray (humidity makes paper stick together)
- Consider using heavier paper stock (24lb instead of 20lb) in humid conditions
- In extremely humid environments, only load the paper you'll use immediately
- Some laser printers have a "special media" mode that uses lower fuser temperatures for damp paper
Humidity above 60% can cause paper to swell enough to jam in tight paper paths.
Fix 4: Address Low Humidity Problems
Dry air creates different but equally annoying issues.
- For static electricity: Use an anti-static spray or wipe on the paper path (follow printer manual guidance)
- For multiple sheet feeding: Fan the paper stack thoroughly before loading to introduce air between sheets
- For brittle paper: Store paper with a humidity pack or in a sealed container with a damp sponge nearby (not touching)
- Run a humidifier in the printer's room during dry winter months
- Consider switching to a slightly lower weight paper if you consistently have static issues
Humidity below 35% can cause static buildup that makes multiple sheets feed at once.
If Nothing Worked
If you've controlled the environment and used properly stored paper but still have issues, consider whether the printer itself has been damaged by past environmental extremes. Inkjet print heads can clog or fail when exposed to very low humidity for extended periods. Laser printer fusers can develop hot spots or temperature inconsistencies from operating in very hot environments. Check if your printer's specifications list operating environment requirements—some printers simply aren't designed for extreme conditions and may need to be relocated.
When to Call a Pro
If your printer is in a commercial or industrial setting where environmental control isn't possible, professional consultation can help identify solutions like environmental enclosures, alternative paper types, or printer models designed for harsh conditions. Additionally, if paper handling problems persist despite optimal environmental conditions, internal components like rollers, sensors, or paper path assemblies may need professional cleaning or replacement. Environmental damage to printer internals sometimes requires expert diagnosis and repair.
Need Professional Help?
If you're in the Tampa Bay area and need hands-on assistance, Geeks in Sneaks provides friendly, on-site tech support in Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, and Dunedin.
Related Topics
Need Professional Help?
If you're still having trouble, our expert technicians can help.
Learn about our printer support service