Why is there smearing on my prints? 

The term “image smearing” is often used to describe several different printing issues. Identifying the type of smearing you are seeing will help determine the correct solution.

Below are the most common causes and how to resolve them.

1. Excess Ink or Ink on the Paper Path

Symptoms:

• Ink appears wet or smeared across the label.

• Ink may transfer to other areas of the media.

• Ink buildup may be visible inside the printer.

Solution:
Clean the printer and paper path to remove excess ink. Ink buildup can cause images to smear as media passes through the printer. Refer to the Using the Callisto Cleaning Kit guide for detailed instructions.

2. Ink Mixing

Symptoms:

• Colors appear contaminated (for example, black mixed into yellow).

• Printed colors appear muddy or inconsistent.

Solution:
Run multiple quality reports or test prints to clear the print system and restore proper color separation.

3. Printhead Strike

Symptoms:

• Distinct curved streak resembling a “Nike swoosh” across the label.

• Ink appears dragged or wiped across the image.

Solution:
Raise the printhead height slightly to prevent the printhead from contacting the media surface.

4. Nozzles Not Firing

Symptoms:

• White streaks or missing lines within the printed image.

• Inconsistent color coverage.

Solution:
Run print quality reports or maintenance prints to clear and restore the affected nozzles.

5. Encoder Failure

Symptoms:

• Image appears stretched, skipped, or distorted, giving the appearance of smearing.

• Labels may look unevenly printed.

Solution:
The encoder sub-assembly may need to be replaced. This repair requires a technician but does not require returning the printer.