Follow the steps below to troubleshoot your prints.
 

Examples of smudged paper

If the edges of the paper is smudged, it may look like this.

If the printed surface is smudged, it may look like this.

If the printed surface is scratched

1. Confirm the paper and print quality settings.

2. Make sure that you use the appropriate type of paper. Check the following:

   • Check to see if your paper is suitable for your printing purpose.

   • If you use borderless printing, make sure that the paper you use is suitable, if not, the print quality may be reduced at the top and bottom edges of the paper.

3. Flatten the paper before you load it into the printer.

    Load Photo Paper Plus Semi-gloss one at a time even if the sheet is not curled. The surface of the paper may crack if you flatten it, which will reduce the print quality.

• For Plain Paper:

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

  • If the paper is left on the rear tray for a long time, it may cause the paper to curl. Load the paper with the other side face up.

  • Put unused paper back into the package and keep it on a level surface.

• 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.

  • Follow the procedure described below to correct the paper curl.

​

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

• Check that the paper is now flat. We recommend that you use curl-corrected paper one sheet at a time.

 Based on the media type, the paper may be smudged or may not be fed properly even if it is not curled inward.

• We recommend that you use paper that has been curled outward one sheet at a time.

• Curl the paper outward within 0.1 inch / 3 mm (B) in height before you print, on (C) the printing side.

4. Adjust the setting to prevent paper abrasion.

• This 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 with the operation panel or the computer.

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

• You'll need to readjust this setting when printing is complete. If you don't, this setting will remain enabled for all subsequent print jobs.

  • To set from the operation panel, tap MENU, then select Setup, Device settings, and Print settings in this order, then set Prevent paper abrasion to ON.

  • To set from a Windows PC, open the printer driver setup window, and in Custom Settings in the Maintenance sheet, select the Prevent paper abrasion check box, then tap OK.

  • To set from a Mac^®, in the Canon IJ Printer Utility, select Custom Settings in the pop-up menu, select the Prevent paper abrasion check box, and then select Apply.

5. ​If the intensity is set high, reduce the Intensity setting and try to print or copy again.

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

• When you print from a Windows PC:
  • Open the printer driver setup window.
  • On the Main sheet, select Manual for Color / Intensity, and then select Set.
  • Drag the Intensity slide bar on the Color Adjustment sheet to adjust the intensity.
     
• When you print from a Mac:
  • Open the Print dialog.
  • Select Color Options in the pop-up menu.
  • Drag the Intensity slide bar to set the intensity.
     
• When you make a copy, you can adjust the intensity setting before the copy process.

6. Make sure that a print is not performed beyond the recommended printing area, or the lower edge of the paper may become stained with ink. Resize your original document on your computer.

7. Make sure that the platen (scanner) glass or the ADF glass isn't dirty.

8. Clean the paper feed roller. Note that this will wear the roller, so perform this procedure only when necessary.

9. If the print is on both sides of the paper (duplex printing), the inside of the printer may become stained with ink, causing the printout to become smudged. Perform a bottom plate cleaning to clean the inside of the printer.

10. Increase the Ink Drying Wait Time. This gives the printed surface enough time to dry so that paper smudges and scratches are prevented.

• From a Windows PC:
  • Make sure that the printer is turned on.
  • Open the printer driver setup window.
  • Select the Maintenance tab and then Custom Settings.
  • Drag the Ink Drying Wait Time slide bar to set the wait time, and then select OK.
  • Confirm the message and select OK.
     
• From a Mac:
  • Make sure that the printer is turned on.
  • Open the Canon IJ Printer Utility.
  • Select Custom Settings in the pop-up menu.
  • Drag the Ink Drying Wait Time slide bar to set the wait time, and then select Apply.
  • Confirm the message and select OK.

11. Based on the media type, the paper may be scratched by other loaded paper when feeding from the rear tray. In this case, load one sheet at a time.

If your product issue was not resolved after following the steps above, or if you require additional help, please create or log in to your Canon Account to see your technical support options.

Or if you still need help, visit our Canon Community by clicking the button below to get answers:

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