How to Stop Your Laser Printer from Smearing

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This page will tell you how to reduce smearing text or smearing graphics in your laser printer and copy machine.

Steps

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  1. Step 1 Check to make sure your paper, labels, envelopes, or whatever you are printing on is facing the proper direction.
  2. Step 2 Double check on the package of your print medium that the material is laser printable or call the manufacturer.
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  3. Step 3 Go into your printer preferences and change the paper type to a heavy gauge material like "Cardstock" or "Heavy Paper".
    This will reduce the speed the laser printer feeds the material which will give it more exposure to the machine that is fusing thus giving the toner a better fuse to the print medium.
  4. Step 4 Remove the cartridge and shake it gently from left to right.
    This will spread the toner out and give a more quality print.
  5. Step 5 Replace the toner cartridge with a new one or one that works to check if that is the problem.
  6. Step 6 If all else fails try to replace the fuser.
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  • Question
    How do I fix smearing on my HP 6700 printer?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Your HP6700 is not a laser printer; it's an ink-jet, which sprays ink on the paper. The best way to prevent smearing is to make sure you give the ink time to dry before picking up the copy or copies. It doesn't take long, maybe 10-15 seconds. If that doesn't work, try changing your printer settings for a lower quality print job. You generally have a choice, Best, Normal or Draft. Best uses the most ink and will take longer to dry. Use Best if you are taking copies to a professional printer or for a presentation at work. Normal is fine for most day-to-day use. Using slick or photo paper will also take longer for the ink to dry.
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About This Article

Luigi Oppido
Reviewed by:
Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
This article was reviewed by Luigi Oppido. Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years. This article has been viewed 154,825 times.
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Co-authors: 10
Updated: August 6, 2020
Views: 154,825
Categories: Printers
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 154,825 times.

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