Cleaning often solves copy quality problems
Sometime, a poor print quality problem is an easy one to resolve. Marks on each page, especially if your print quality issue only occurs when you’re copying and not when you’re printing, are usually caused by dirty scanner glass.
Do not use a cleaner with ammonia or an abrasive that can scratch the glass. NEVER spray cleaning fluid directly on the glass because it could get inside and damage the device. Instead, spray the cleaner on a soft cloth and wipe.
If anything is stuck on the glass, such as Tippex, you may need to carefully remove it with a plastic scraper (a credit card is a good option). However, take care not to scratch or damage the glass as this can lead to permanent copy quality issues - or an expensive repair.
Sticky notes and labels are another common office product behind quality issues. If you leave them on originals you are copying or scanning, you can transfer that stickiness to the scanner glass and sticky glass is a magnet for dust and dirt.
Don’t overlook cleaning the slit glass. When the slit glass is dirty, black lines can appear on copies and scans. The slit glass is a narrow strip of glass usually located to the left or right of the large glass plate. Again, spray a non-abrasive cleaner onto a soft cloth and wipe.
Make sure your paper drawers are clean. Dust and dirt on paper will cause poor print quality.
Dirt and dust can also make its way inside the copier and accumulate on the underside of the glass and the mirrors. Cleaning the inside is usually best left to an experienced technician because some disassembly is required.
Our engineers will always clean the inside of your device when we undertake a service or planned maintenance visit.
Staples can cause damage and quality problems
We’re all tempted to leave the staples in a multi-page document because it's time-consuming to remove them and a staple remover is seldom around when you need one.
Remove the staples, or you’ll risk scratching the glass. Scratches on the glass are permanent and can mean complete replacement of the scanner glass.
Using the wrong paper can create poor print quality
Low quality paper can result in poor print quality including blurred print and jamming.
If the paper is too rough or the moisture content too high, toner specks might appear on your pages.
If your print has rounded faded areas, it might be the paper that's defective.
Use proper settings to avoid poor print quality
Most MFPs have paper type settings which are selected from the print driver or from the device itself. We highly recommended that you match the setting to the paper type, especially when printing on different materials such as labels and card.
If these settings are not correct it can cause fusing issues, where the toner doesnt 'stick' to the paper properly, or print quality issues with faded or uneven results. In the case of labels, it can even result in them sticking inside the device.
Sometimes issues with a copy can be caused by a poor quality original - faint lines on the original are more noticeable on a copy. You can adjust contrast and brightness settings to minimise the appearance of these. You can also use the background removal feature on some models to improve your results.
Toner issues can be the reason for poor print quality
If a vertical white steak appears on a paper or if part of the page contains light print, it could mean the toner is low. Check the device levels before replacing the toner as it could also be a faulty cartridge.
If black vertical streaks appear, or if marks appear at even intervals on a page, the surface of the toner cartridge could be scratched and need replacement. If you submit a ticket and attach a sample of the quality issue, we'll assess the issue and send a replacement or schedule an engineer.
If a page comes out totally black, the toner may not be correctly installed and you should take it out and reset the cartridge.
Use the correct toner for your specific model. All our toner is clearly marked with the model, the location and the serial number and you should take care to check the cartridge is the correct one before you install it.
Key operators will be shown how to replace the toner when we install your devices, but feel free to call our expert team for help at any time. There are delicate parts that require gentle and patient handling.
Of course, poor print quality could be the result of an internal hardware problem. If the drum, fuser roller or corona wire is damaged, it can cause dots or repetitive marks to appear on your prints.
When in any doubt, please get in touch with our friendly team and we'll be happy to help.