Paper Is Smudged/Printed Surface Is Scratched

Paper Is Smudged

The Edges of Paper Are Smudged

Printed Surface Is Smudged

Printed Surface Is Scratched

  1. Check1 Did you confirm the paper and print quality settings?

    Print Results Not Satisfactory

  2. Check2 Is the appropriate type of paper used? Check the followings:

    • Check to see if the paper you are printing on is suitable for your printing purpose.

      Media Types You Can Use

    • When performing Borderless Printing, make sure that the paper you are using is suitable for Borderless Printing.

      If the paper you are using is not suitable for Borderless Printing, the print quality may be reduced at the top and bottom edges of the paper.

      Printing Area

  3. Check3 Load the paper after correcting its curl.

    When using Photo Paper Plus Semi-gloss, even if the sheet is curled, load one sheet at a time as it is. If you roll up this paper to flatten, this may cause cracks on the surface of the paper and reduce the print quality.

    We recommend putting unused paper back into the package and keeping it on a level surface.

    • For Plain Paper

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

    • For Other Paper

      If the curl on the four corners of the paper is more than 0.1 inch / 3 mm (A) in height, the paper may be smudged or may not be fed properly. In such cases, follow the procedure described below to correct the paper curl.

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

      2. Check that the paper is now flat.

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

    Note

    • Depending on the media type, the paper may be smudged or may not be fed properly even if it is not curled inward. In such cases, follow the procedure described below to curl the paper outward within 0.1 inch / 3 mm (B) in height before printing. This may improve the print result.

      (C) Printing side

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

  4. Check4 Adjust the setting to prevent paper abrasion.

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

    Print speed may be reduced if you apply the setting to prevent paper abrasion setting.

    * Readjust the setting not to prevent paper abrasion once printing is complete. If not, this setting remains enabled for all subsequent print jobs.

    • To set by using the operation panel

      Touch the HOME button, select Setup, Device settings, and Print settings in this order, and then set Prevent paper abrasion to ON.

      Changing the Machine Settings Using the Operation Panel

    • To set by using your computer

      Open the printer driver setup window, and in Custom Settings in the Maintenance sheet, select the Prevent paper abrasion check box, and then click OK.

      To open the printer driver setup window, see How to Open the Printer Driver Setup Window.

  5. Check5 If the intensity is set high, reduce the intensity setting and try printing again.

    If you are using plain paper to print images with high intensity, the paper may absorb too much ink and become wavy, causing paper abrasion.

    • When printing from your computer

      Reduce the intensity setting in the printer driver and try printing again.

      1. Open the printer driver setup window.

        How to Open the Printer Driver Setup Window

      2. On the Main sheet, select Manual for Color/Intensity, and then click Set....

      3. Drag the Intensity slide bar on the Color Adjustment sheet to adjust the intensity.

    • When copying

      Setting Items

  6. Check6 Is printing performed beyond the recommended printing area?

    If you are printing beyond the recommended printing area of your printing paper, the lower edge of the paper may become stained with ink.

    Resize your original document in your application software.

    Printing Area

  7. Check7 Is the platen glass dirty?

    Clean the platen glass.

    Cleaning the Platen Glass and Document Cover

  8. Check8 Is the inside of the machine dirty?

    When performing duplex printing, the inside of the machine may become stained with ink, causing the printout to become smudged.

    Perform the Bottom Plate Cleaning to clean the inside of the machine.

    Cleaning the Inside of the Machine (Bottom Plate Cleaning)

    Note

    • To prevent the inside of the machine from stains, set the paper size correctly.

  9. Check9 Set the time to dry the printed surface longer.

    Doing so gives the printed surface enough time to dry so that paper smudged and scratched are prevented.

    1. Make sure that the machine is turned on.

    2. Open the printer driver setup window.

      How to Open the Printer Driver Setup Window

    3. Click the Maintenance tab and then Custom Settings.

    4. Drag the Ink Drying Wait Time slide bar to set the wait time, and then click OK.

    5. Confirm the message and click OK.