Homebrew PCBs

I just tried to figure out if the paper needs to be touching the drum.

I cut 4 stripes of 0,5mm cardboard.
i glued them 2cm apart, parallel, along the paper, a stack of two such 
stripes on each side.
Between the stripes there is a valley now, where the paper is 1mm away 
 from the top of the two stripes.
i figured this will keep it away from the drum.

(i glued the cardboard stripes on with clear plastic tape, i couldn't find 
the paper tape,
it did not stick to the fuser.....)


But back on topic, i had this sheet, and sent it through.
Between the stripes it is not printed very well, only a rather faint image.
(But the palstic tape was printed nicely, now i know what i do if i next 
need labels).

so i removed the bottom cardboard stripe on each side, to get 0,5mm 
distance from the drum.
It was way better, but still only half the density i normally get.

What do we learn from this:
the paper / pcb must be very, very close to the drum.
maybe it would be best to just envelope all edges with a piece of tape, 
this
would prevent the edges, or any burr, to harm the drum.

Any ideas welcome...

ST