Checking the ink levels, Improving print quality | Lexmark 1500

Preserving the print cartridges

•Keep new cartridges in their packaging until you are ready to install them.

•Do not remove a cartridge from the printer except to replace, clean, or store it in an airtight container. The cartridges do not print correctly if left exposed for an extended period of time.

Related topics:

•“Wiping the print cartridge nozzles and contacts” on page 61

•“Cleaning the print cartridge nozzles” on page 60

Checking the ink levels

1From the Finder desktop, double-click the Lexmark 1500 Series folder.

2Double-click the Lexmark 1500 Series Utility icon.

3From the Maintenance tab, check the ink levels of the cartridges.

If an exclamation point (!) appears on a cartridge, the ink level is low. Install a new cartridge. For more information, see “Installing print cartridges” on page 58.

For cartridge ordering information, see “Ordering print cartridges” on page 64.

Improving print quality

These are possible solutions. Try one or more of the following:

Check paper

•Use the appropriate paper for the document. If you are printing photos or other high-quality images, for best results use Lexmark Photo Paper or Lexmark PerfectFinish Photo Paper. Do not use Lexmark Premium Photo Paper. Your print cartridges are not compatible with this type of paper.

•Use a paper that is a heavier weight or bright white.

Maintaining the printer

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Lexmark 1500 manual Checking the ink levels, Improving print quality, Preserving the print cartridges, Check paper

Contents

Lexmark 1500 Series Page Contents 109 Glossary Safety information Wireless network examples Common home network configurationsWired network example General networking Networking the printer Finding the MAC address Types of wireless networks Wireless networkingPrinting a network setup IP addresses Ad hoc Finding the signal strengthInfrastructure Know your security keys Why do I need an installation cable?Networking the printer Sharing the printer on a network Installing the printer on a networkInstalling the printer on additional network computers Selecting a network printer Click Continue Using a wireless network connectionFinding a printer/print server located on remote subnets Why do I need to disconnect the installation cable? Advanced wireless setupTips for using network adapters What do the Wi-Fi indicator lights mean? Double-clickWireless Setup Assistant Choosing compatible specialty paper types Getting startedLoading paper Using the automatic paper type sensor Loading envelopes Loading labels Loading transparencies Loading banner paper Loading iron-on transfersLoading custom-size paper Choosing a paper type Learning about the software print optionsChoosing a paper size Choosing a print quality Collating copies using the computerPerforming printing and related tasks Printing a document Printing photos Printing borderless photos Printing cards Printing envelopes Printing iron-on transfers Printing transparencies Printing a banner Printing multiple pages on one sheet Printing the last page first reverse page order Assembling a bookletPrinting multiple copies of a stored document For Mac OS X version 10.4.2 or later Printing on both sides of the paper duplexing automatically Printing color images in black and whitePrinting on both sides of the paper duplexing Click File Œ Print Printing files from a memory card or flash drivePrinting on both sides of the paper duplexing manually Managing print jobs Pausing print jobsCanceling a print job Resuming print jobs Connecting photo storage devices Inserting a memory card Light blink alternately until either the memory card or Inserting a flash drive Connecting a PictBridge-enabled digital camera Removing a memory card or flash drive Transferring photos from a memory device to the computer Transferring photos from a memory device to the computer Printing photos from photo storage devices Printing photos from a memory card or flash drivePage Printing photos from a digital camera using Dpof Printing photos from the computer Printing cards Working with photos over the wireless network Page Related topics Checking the box contents Understanding the printer parts Understanding the parts of the printer Use Orange Installing the printer software Understanding the software Removing the printer software Using the Printer Selection dialogClick Uninstall Using the Printer Setup Complete dialog Using the Page Setup dialog Using the Print dialog From here Choose From here Choose From here Choose Only Using Printer Services Choose Lexmark Network Card Reader Œ Preferences Using the Network Card ReaderClick Settings Using the Utility Click Lexmark 1500 Series Utility Installing print cartridges Print cartridges Removing a used print cartridge Double-click the Lexmark 1500 Series Utility icon Cleaning the print cartridge nozzlesAligning the print cartridges Wiping the print cartridge nozzles and contacts Preserving the print cartridges Checking the ink levelsImproving print quality Check paper Refilling print cartridges Cleaning the exterior of the printerUsing genuine Lexmark print cartridges Check print cartridges Ordering print cartridges Ordering paper and other supplies Finding information about the printer Lexmark 1500 Series folder Help Telephone support Recycling Lexmark products Related topics Is contact information available online? Contacting Customer SupportHow do I contact Lexmark Customer Support? Power light is blinking Setup troubleshootingPower button is not lit Duplex light is blinking Cable is not connected, is loose, or is damaged Software does not install Printer does not appear in the Printer Selection dialog Printer is not able to communicate with the computer Test page does not print Printing a test page using the computerPrinter is plugged in but does not print Does not print Make sure the cartridges are properly installedCheck power Try printing a test page again Check the ink levels Remove tape on cartridges Make sure the printer has paper and is properly loaded Reinstall the softwareChecking printer readiness Remove the sticker and tape from the print cartridges Checking the print cartridges Are the print cartridges properly installed?Checking the printer status Are the sticker and tape removed from the cartridges? Are the cartridges low on ink? Wireless troubleshootingCheck your security keys Wireless network printer does not print Wi-Fi indicator light is not lit Remove and reinstall the internal print server Reinstall the internal print server Wireless printer is no longer working Printer cannot connect to the wireless network Configure the optional internal wireless print server Wi-Fi indicator light is orangeCheck your advanced security settings Check your security keys Make sure the access point is on Check MAC address Run the Wireless Setup Assistant again Check the installation cable Changing wireless settings after installationPing the access point Checking your network name Run the Wireless Setup Assistant Ping the printer Ink levels seem incorrect Print troubleshootingChecking the ink levels Are you printing graphics or photos? Poor text and graphic quality Ink levels seem to go down too quicklyImproving print quality Poor quality at the edges Print speed is slow Partial document or photo prints Prints with different fonts Photo smudges or scratchesBlank or incorrect page prints Transparencies or photos contain white lines Print is too dark or smudgedGlossy photo paper or transparencies stick together Vertical straight lines are not smooth Adjust the application settings for the documentPerform maintenance on the print catridges White lines appear in graphics or solid black areas Cannot print from a memory card or flash drive Perform maintenance on the print cartridgesAdjust the color and print speed Check the level of ink in the print catridges Cannot print from digital camera using PictBridge Duplex unit does not operate correctly Paper jam in the printer Jams and misfeeds troubleshootingChecking printer ports Paper jam in the paper support Paper jam in the duplex unit 100 Paper or specialty media misfeeds Printer does not feed paper, envelopes, or specialty media Banner paper jams Paper continues to jam 103 Remove and reinstall the print cartridgesRemove any obstructions in the cartridge carrier Memory card cannot be inserted Memory card reader and PictBridge troubleshootingNothing happens when memory card is inserted Check camera connection Make sure the USB cable is connectedCheck USB cable Make sure the camera is properly equipped Select the printer on your wireless network 106 107 Removing and reinstalling the softwareResetting the printer to factory default settings 108 109 Edition noticeProduct information Lexmark International, Inc All rights reserved Trademarks 110 Avis de conformité aux normes de l’industrie du Canada Exposure to radio frequency radiationIndustry Canada compliance statement Industry Canada Canada European Community EC directives conformity 112 113 Noise emission levels 114 Information for Chinese RoHS program Temperature informationProduct disposal 115 Power Saver Power consumptionProduct power consumption Off mode Total energy usage 117 118 119 Limited warranty service Statement of Limited WarrantyLimited warranty Lexmark International, Inc., Lexington, KY Additional rights Extent of limited warrantyLimitation of liability 121 Glossary 122 123 IP Internet Protocol address UAA Universally Administered Address 124