Print Quality Could be Better

Reference Guide

Print Quality Could be Better

Horizontal banding
Vertical misalignment or banding
Incorrect or missing colors
Faint printout or gaps
Blurry or smeared printout

Click the caption under the illustration that best resembles your printout.

Horizontal banding	Vertical misalignment or banding
Incorrect or missing colors	Faint printout or gaps
Blurry or smeared printout

If you are having print quality problems, try the solutions offered here.

Horizontal banding

Try one or more of these solutions:

For Windows, check the Media Type setting in the Main menu. Make sure it is correct for the paper you are using.

For Macintosh, check the Media Type setting in the Print dialog box. Make sure it is correct for the paper you are using.

Make sure the printable side of the paper is face-up.

Run the Head Cleaning utility to clear any clogged ink nozzles.

Check the Ink Out lights. If necessary, replace ink cartridges. See Replacing Ink Cartridges.

Vertical misalignment or banding

Try one or more of these solutions:

Turn off the High Speed setting in your printer driver. For instructions, see the printer driver's online help.

Run the Print Head Alignment utility. See Using the Printer Utilities for Windows, and Using the Printer Utilities for Macintosh.

Incorrect or missing colors

Try one or more of these solutions:

For Windows, check the Media Type setting in the Main menu. Make sure it is correct for the paper you are using.

For Macintosh, check the Media Type setting in the Print dialog box. Make sure it is correct for the paper you are using.

Make sure the printable side of the paper is face-up.

Run the Head Cleaning utility. See Using the Printer Utilities for Windows, and Using the Printer Utilities for Macintosh.

If colors are still incorrect or missing, replace one or all ink cartridges. See Replacing Ink Cartridges.

Adjust the color settings in your application or your printer driver. See your application's documentation.

Faint printout or gaps

Try one or more of these solutions:

Make sure that the ink cartridges do not exceed the expiry date. The expiry date is labeled on the outside of the ink cartridge.

For Windows, check the Media Type setting in the Main menu. Make sure it is correct for the paper you are using.

For Macintosh, check the Media Type setting in the Print dialog box. Make sure it is correct for the paper you are using.

Run the Head Cleaning utility to clear any clogged ink nozzles. See Using the Printer Utilities for Windows, and Using the Printer Utilities for Macintosh.

Check the Ink Out lights. If necessary, replace ink cartridges. See Replacing Ink Cartridges.

Select thinner paper in the SelecType mode. Check the paper number setting in the Paper Configuration menu. See SelecType Settings.

The platen gap may be too wide for your paper. Change the platen gap setting from WIDE to AUTO in the Printer Setting menu of the SelecType mode. See SelecType Settings.

Blurry or smeared printout

Try one or more of these solutions:

For Windows, check the Media Type setting in the Main menu. Make sure it is correct for the paper you are using.

For Macintosh, check the Media Type setting in the Print dialog box. Make sure it is correct for the paper you are using.

If the paper you are using is not supported by the printer driver, set the paper thickness using the SelecType setting. See SelecType Settings.

Make sure your paper is dry and the printable side is face-up. Also, make sure you are using the correct type of paper. See Paper for specifications.

Ink may have leaked inside the printer; wipe the inside of the printer with a soft, clean cloth.

Run the Head Cleaning utility. See Using the Printer Utilities for Windows, and Using the Printer Utilities for Macintosh.

Select thicker paper in the SelecType mode. Check the paper number setting in the Paper Configuration menu. See SelecType Settings.

The platen gap may be too narrow for your paper. Set the platen gap setting to WIDE in the Printer Setting menu of the SelecType mode. See SelecType Settings.