Start Now in Minutes!
Just create a ezeep Blue account and connect your printers with our Connector or ezeep Hub to get started.
Printing is still part of the daily routine for many teams—whether it’s contracts, meeting handouts, or workshop materials. And no matter how reliable modern printers have become, there’s one classic problem that continues to cause frustration: the paper jam.
And it always seems to happen at the worst moment—right when you’re in a rush, the printer flashes that dreaded message: paper jam.
In a private office, that’s annoying enough. But in a coworking space, a paper jam can slow down multiple people or even an entire team. The thing is, paper jams are more than just a nuisance. Engineers have studied the issue so extensively that some call it the “ultimate challenge”—a complex mix of physics, chemistry, mechanics, and software. After all, paper is a natural material: sometimes it’s too moist, sometimes too dry, and sometimes it carries tiny fibers that clog the paper path. Even small inconsistencies can cause what engineers poetically refer to as a “bouquet”—sheets twisted together in the middle of the printing process.
Why Paper Jams Happen in the First Place
A paper jam isn’t just “a stuck sheet.” It’s usually the result of several factors coming together:
- No two sheets are the same: Each one is made from natural fibers that react to humidity and temperature. If the paper’s too damp or too dry, things can go sideways.
- Tight curves inside the device: Compact office printers often force paper through several direction changes. Each bend increases the risk of a jam.
- Dust and rough edges: Lower-quality paper creates more debris that builds up on rollers. Uneven edges also disrupt the flow.
- Everyday misuse: Leaving open reams lying around can cause paper to warp or stick together—perfect conditions for the next jam.
So really, a paper jam isn’t a basic glitch—it’s the result of a complex interaction between materials, machines, and environment.
What That Means for Coworking Spaces
At home or in a private office, a jam is usually fixed quickly. But in a coworking space, the impact is bigger:
- Lost time: One jammed printer can create a backlog of jobs.
- Frustration: Nothing’s worse than a key document not printing right before a meeting.
- Unclear responsibility: Who should fix it—the community manager or the users? Often, the printer just sits there until someone steps up.
- Negative user experience: Frequent issues with basic tasks like printing reflect poorly on the entire space.
Coworking spaces promise flexibility and ease – so regular paper jams shouldn’t be part of the experience.
What We Can Learn from Printer Engineering
Engineers don’t just see paper jams as a hassle—they see them as a design challenge. And that mindset can be useful for coworking spaces too: Jams may never disappear entirely, but you can definitely reduce how often they happen.
A few actionable tips:
- Choose quality over quantity: Higher-grade paper cuts down on dust, warping, and edge issues.
- Keep up with maintenance: Even the best printers need regular checkups and servicing.
- Store paper properly: Keep paper dry and away from heaters or windows.
- Encourage digital workflows: Cloud sharing can replace many print jobs. The fewer unnecessary prints, the fewer jams.
- Simplify the user experience: The easier the print process, the less stressful any hiccups become.
The Bottom Line: Paper Jams Happen – But They Don’t Have to Take Center Stage
Let’s be honest—paper is unpredictable, so jams will probably always happen now and then. But coworking spaces can take smart steps to keep them from turning into bigger issues.
This article draws inspiration from “Why Paper Jams Exist,” which goes into even more detail on the fascinating engineering behind these everyday annoyances.
👉 With ezeep, coworking spaces get a cloud-based printing solution that offers users a seamless, stress-free experience—no driver headaches, no confusing settings. Just simple, reliable printing that keeps your community productive, even when things get jammed.