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Printer ink smudging — match the paper type setting

Printer ink

Printer ink smudging or staying wet? Check that the print dialog paper type matches the paper in the tray. Wrong settings lay down too much ink.

Printer ink smudging: match the paper type setting (related household photo)
Photo: Snewkirk7953 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Smeared printer ink is often a settings problem, not a bad cartridge. Photo or glossy settings lay down more ink than plain paper can soak up.

Match the paper type setting to stop printer ink smudges

  1. Open the print dialog and find Paper Type or Media Type.
  2. Pick the setting that matches the paper in the tray, such as Plain Paper.
  3. Print one test page and let it sit for a minute before touching it.
  4. If glossy paper still smears, check that the shiny side faces the right way for your printer.

If smudges stay on plain paper with the right setting, run a nozzle check next.

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