When printing ink-heavy documents like photos or drawings, you want them to look perfect the first time so you don’t have to print them again. If the ink on your printed pages smears, you can avoid it by adjusting your printer’s settings or selecting the appropriate paper for the job.
Paper Type
When printing pictures or other images, do not use regular white printer paper. To avoid ink smears and smudging, use thick, high-quality photo paper. Some photo paper brands, such as those labelled “Instant Dry,” are intended to dry faster than others. Other paper brands have a smudge-resistant coating. Photo paper can withstand multiple coats of ink. Regular printer paper will suffice if you only need to print text and no graphics. Too-thick paper, such as card stock, may come into contact with the printer’s ink cartridge. This can result in smearing and even damage to the cartridge. Check the user guide for your printer to see which paper types work best with it.
Printer Settings and Tests
Most printers allow you to customise the settings based on the type of paper you’re using and the content you want to print. This is beneficial for reducing smears and other issues. Look for an option such as “Paper Type” or “Print Settings” in your printer’s options or settings menu. Choose a paper size or type. Select “Picture” or “Photo” if you’re printing an image. Your printer might have a self-test feature. When you run the test, the printer prints a test page and notifies you if any errors are discovered. If your printouts are smearing and you’re not sure why, try this.
Ink Cartridge
If you’ve just installed new ink cartridges, you should align them to avoid smearing and other print issues. This option can be found in the printer’s maintenance settings. Horizontal smears indicate fibre buildup beneath the ink cartridges. Remove the cartridges and clean them if you suspect this. This procedure varies depending on the model of your printer. Instructions for removing the cartridges can be found in the printer’s user manual. In general, after removing a cartridge, clean any ink that has smeared around the nozzle plate with a moist cotton swab. Do not touch the nozzle plate. Clean the ink carriage inside the printer as well.
Other Tips
Depending on the type of paper you use, ink may dry in a matter of seconds or several minutes. If you’re printing multiple pages at once, remove each page from the printer tray as it finishes printing. Pick up a printed page by the edges and avoid touching the ink. Avoid stacking printed pages together because it can cause ink to smear. Smearing may occur when you refill your ink cartridges. Purchase new cartridges rather than refilling the ink yourself for the best results. The ink may smear if the printer is tilted or sitting at an angle. Placing the printer on a flat, stable surface, such as a desk or table, is recommended.
