When Prints Disappoint

When your prints aren’t charming, read on.

Verify paper choices. In iPhoto’s Print dialog, be sure to choose the preset that matches the type of paper you’re using and the quality you’re seeking. It’s easy to overlook this step and end up specifying plain paper when you’re actually using pricey photo paper.

Check ink. Strange colors? Check your printer’s ink supply. Many printers include diagnostic software that reports how much ink remains in each cartridge.

Clean up. The nozzles in an inkjet printer can become clogged, especially if you don’t print every day. If you’re seeing odd colors or a horizontal banding pattern, use your printer’s cleaning mode to clean your ink nozzles. Most printers can print a test page designed ...

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