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Paper Is Smudged/Printed Surface Is Scratched/Ink Blots/Paper Curl

  1. Check 1 Do page size and media type settings match size and type of loaded paper?

    If these settings do not match, it is not possible to obtain the proper result.

    If you are printing a photograph or an illustration, an incorrect paper type setting may reduce the quality of the printout color.

    Also, if you print with an incorrect paper type setting, the printed surface may be scratched.

  2. Check 2 Make sure appropriate print quality is selected (see list above).

    Select a print quality suited to the paper and to what you are printing. If you notice blurs or uneven colors, increase the print quality setting and retry the printing.

  3. Check 3 Check paper type.

    Make sure you are using the right paper for what you are printing. To print data with high color saturation such as photographs or images with dark colors, we recommend that you use Photo Paper Plus Glossy II or other Canon specialty paper.

  4. Check 4 Correct curl before loading paper.

    When using Photo Paper Plus Semi-gloss, even if the sheet is curled, load one sheet at a time as it is. Rolling this paper in the opposite direction to flatten it may crack the paper surface and reduce the print quality.

    We recommend putting unused paper back into the package and storing it flat.

    • Plain Paper:

      Turn the paper over and reload it to print on the other side.

    • Other Paper such as postcards:

      If the paper corners curl more than 0.1 in. / 3 mm (A) in height, the paper may smudge or may not feed properly. Follow the instructions below to correct the paper curl.

      1. Roll up paper in opposite direction to paper curl as shown below.

        roll up paper

      2. Check that paper is now flat.

        We recommend printing curl-corrected paper one sheet at a time.

    Note

    • Depending on paper type, the paper may smudge or may not feed properly even if it is not curled inward. Follow the instructions below to curl the paper outward up to 0.1 in. / 3 mm (C) in height before printing. This may improve the print result.

      (B) Print side

      We recommend feeding paper that has been curled outward one sheet at a time.

  5. Check 5 Set printer to prevent paper abrasion.

    Adjusting the setting to prevent paper abrasion will widen the clearance between the print head and the paper. If you notice abrasion even with the media type set correctly to match the paper, set the printer to prevent paper abrasion using the operation panel or the computer.

    This may reduce the print speed.

    * Once you have finished printing, undo this setting. Otherwise, it will apply to subsequent print jobs.

    Select on HOME screen, select Various settings > Printer settings > Print settings in this order, and then set Prevent paper abrasion to ON.

  6. Check 6 If brightness is set low, increase brightness setting and try printing again.

    If you are printing with a low brightness setting on plain paper, the paper may absorb too much ink and become wavy, causing paper abrasion.

  7. Check 7 Specify a paper size that has 25 mm margins.

    If the top or bottom edge of the printing surface has been scratched or smudged, print with a paper size that has wide margins (25 mm margins).

    When you print on Photo Paper Pro Premium Matte or Matte Photo Paper, we recommend that you print with a 25 mm margins paper size or 4" x 6" (10 x 15 cm) size.

  8. Check 8 Do not print outside recommended printing area.

    If you print outside the recommended printing area of your paper, ink may stain the lower edge of the paper.

    Resize the document using application software.

  9. Check 9 Is paper feed roller dirty?

    Clean paper feed roller.

    Note

    • Cleaning the paper feed roller abrades it, so do this only when necessary.

  10. Check 10 Is inside of printer dirty?

    During 2-sided printing, ink may stain the inside of the printer, smudging the printout.

    Perform bottom plate cleaning to clean inside of printer.

    Note

    • To prevent staining inside the printer, be sure to set the correct paper size.

  11. Check 11 Increase the print interval.

    Increasing the print interval allows the printed surface to dry, preventing smudges and scratches.

    Press the HOME button, select Various settings > Printer settings > Paper-related settings > Advanced paper settings. Select a media type, select Pause between pages, and then select a interval setting.

    Note

    • Alternatively, press the HOME button, select (Paper settings display area), and select Advanced on Top feed paper information screen to display Pause between pages screen.