topic Re: Pixma MG3620 Smudging on Non-Glossy Side Of Photo Paper in Desktop Inkjet Printers

Pixma MG3620 Smudging on Non-Glossy Side Of Photo Paper

DM11428 — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:12:58 GMT

I'm creating a promo piece on 4 x 6 glossy postcard size paper.

The glossy side has a picture and wording. The print on that side is great - no smudges.

I want a QR code on the other side - the matte side of the paper.

It smudges - no matter what I do to the print commands (draft, no border, etc.) it smudges.

Is there anything I can do, or is this just not meant to be printed on?

Re: Pixma MG3620 Smudging on Non-Glossy Side Of Photo Paper

shadowsports — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 12:53:15 GMT

Greetings ,

If you're using copy paper, you can print on both sides. It doesn't matter what side you print on. If you are using photo or specialty papers you can only print on one side. I suppose you could flip the paper and try to use a plain paper setting but no guarantee depending on the type and brand of paper. One of the things the paper settings you use does is determining how much ink the printer throws down. However, specialty papers usually only allow printing on one side.

Re: Pixma MG3620 Smudging on Non-Glossy Side Of Photo Paper

DM11428 — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 12:54:53 GMT

I specifically wrote that I was trying to print on the matte (non-glossy) side of a 4 x 6 glossy photo paper.

Re: Pixma MG3620 Smudging on Non-Glossy Side Of Photo Paper

normadel — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 03:51:32 GMT

The back side is not meant to be printed on. It does not have the coating/treatment that allows ink to bond to and dry on the surface.

Is that clear enough?

Re: Pixma MG3620 Smudging on Non-Glossy Side Of Photo Paper

jrhoffman75 — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 13:05:22 GMT

@DM11428 wrote:

I'm creating a promo piece on 4 x 6 glossy postcard size paper.

The glossy side has a picture and wording. The print on that side is great - no smudges.

I want a QR code on the other side - the matte side of the paper.

It smudges - no matter what I do to the print commands (draft, no border, etc.) it smudges.

Is there anything I can do, or is this just not meant to be printed on?

Some photo papers are not really paper; they are a plastic base that has a coating applied to the printable side. The not print side is non-absorbent so ink won't stick. It just sits on the surface.

Re: Pixma MG3620 Smudging on Non-Glossy Side Of Photo Paper

DM11428 — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 17:50:58 GMT

Thanks - makes total sense.

I'll look around for photo paper that is printable on both sides - or use labels.

Re: Pixma MG3620 Smudging on Non-Glossy Side Of Photo Paper

jrhoffman75 — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 19:10:25 GMT

@DM11428 wrote:

Thanks - makes total sense.

I'll look around for photo paper that is printable on both sides - or use labels.

Canon Matte Photo Paper is real paper. Ink spreads a little on non-print side. Depends on how sharp your code needs to be.

Re: Pixma MG3620 Smudging on Non-Glossy Side Of Photo Paper

DM11428 — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 21:10:21 GMT

Needs to be sharp enough to read - I'll probably use a label. But thanks for the explanation. Makes sense.