Abstract: Image transfer quality in an electrophotographic image forming device is improved by preconditioning a media sheet prior to transferring a toner image thereto at an image transfer station. The media sheet is preconditioned by applying a static charge to it. In a color DTM type device, the charge reduces the transfer voltages required at downstream image transfer stations to account for charge accumulated on the media sheet as a result of the image transfer process at upstream image transfer stations. The charge may be applied to the media sheet at a media sheet preconditioning element positioned upstream of an image transfer station. Alternatively, an initial charge may be applied to the media sheet at an image transfer station, without transferring a toner image to the sheet, and returning the sheet via a duplex path to positioned upstream of an image transfer station prior to an image transfer operation.

Abstract: Upon initialization of an image-forming device, a sensor generates a signal to indicate the presence of packaging material at a location within the image-forming device. The image-forming device displays a message to a user responsive to this signal. The message may include a graphical representation of the image-forming device that graphically indicates access to the location. Upon user request, the image-forming device may also display instructions on how to remove the packaging material from the location. The instructions may also include a graphical representation of the location within the image-forming device, and text describing how to remove the packaging material from the location. The sensor generates another signal when it senses that the packaging material has been removed from the location. Once the packaging materials have been removed, the image-forming device completes the initialization procedure in preparation for image-forming operations.

Abstract: Image transfer quality in an electrophotographic image forming device is improved by preconditioning a media sheet prior to transferring a toner image thereto at an image transfer station. The media sheet is preconditioned by applying a static charge to it. In a color DTM type device, the charge reduces the transfer voltages required at downstream image transfer stations to account for charge accumulated on the media sheet as a result of the image transfer process at upstream image transfer stations. The charge may be applied to the media sheet at a media sheet preconditioning element positioned upstream of an image transfer station. Alternatively, an initial charge may be applied to the media sheet at an image transfer station, without transferring a toner image to the sheet, and returning the sheet via a duplex path to positioned upstream of an image transfer station prior to an image transfer operation.