Ink Smearing or Staying Wet Too Long
Inkjet prints smearing because the ink won't dry? This is usually a paper or settings mismatch. Here's how to get properly dried prints.
What's Happening
You print something on your inkjet and the ink stays wet, smearing at the slightest touch. Or you stack pages and they stick together or transfer wet ink to each other. This happens when too much ink is being applied for the paper to absorb, or when the paper isn't compatible with your ink type.
Quick Checks (Do These First)
- What kind of paper are you using? The paper type matters enormously.
- Are you printing on the right side? Some papers have a printable side.
- What quality setting are you using? High quality = more ink.
- Is the paper damp? Humid paper can't absorb ink properly.
- Are you printing photos on plain paper? That's a recipe for wet mess.
Step-by-Step Fixes
Fix 1: Match Paper Type to Print Settings
- Check your paper packaging - what type is it?
- In print settings, select the matching paper type
- Plain paper setting on photo paper = too little ink
- Photo paper setting on plain paper = WAY too much ink
- Getting this right is crucial for proper drying
Fix 2: Lower the Print Quality
- High or Best quality applies the most ink
- For documents, Normal or Draft quality is plenty
- Less ink = faster drying
- Reserve high quality for photos on proper photo paper
Fix 3: Use Ink-Compatible Paper
- Standard copy paper works for most documents
- For photos, use actual inkjet photo paper
- For glossy prints, you need glossy inkjet paper
- Paper marketed as "multipurpose" handles ink better than cheap paper
Fix 4: Print on Correct Side
- Photo and specialty papers have a coated side
- Look for a slightly different texture or brighter white
- The coated side absorbs ink properly; the back doesn't
- Some papers have arrows indicating the print side
If Nothing Worked
Try printing a test page with just a small amount of black text. If that dries normally, the issue is ink quantity for high-coverage prints. You may need to adjust ink density in advanced settings, or give prints longer to dry before handling.
When to Call a Pro
If smearing happens consistently with various papers and settings, there could be a problem with ink delivery - too much ink flowing from cartridges or printhead. This requires diagnosis of the ink system.
Need Professional Help?
If you're in the Tampa Bay area and need hands-on assistance, Geeks in Sneaks provides friendly, on-site tech support in Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, and Dunedin.
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