Ink smudges when printing cards

Unfortunately if you don't use a ink jet on a regular basis the ink dries up in the print head and in most cases will not work again even if you soak the head in alcohol overnight. I have found that Lexmarks are the biggest printers with this problem. Note: a replacement head will likely cost more than a new printer so this time get a HP printer mainly because when you change the ink cartridge you are also changing the print jets, the ink is a bit more money but in your usage of printers it may be your best bet.

Sounds like the ink isn't having time to dry and is rubbing along paper.

Paper may be too thick. If it prints OK on normal paper (test first) but not on thick card, then it doesn't support thick paper settings.

How is the printer printing black and yellow color? Is it a smudge?

When I print, the pages are smudged with ink. What should I do?
Description: - If smudged stains appear at the top center of the printed page:

• Make sure the paper is not too thick or curled.
  Also, verify that the appropriate paper is being used and that the paper type set in the machine matches the media used.
• Make sure the paper is not curled when you print on the back side of the paper with the Print Odd Pages and Print Even Pages settings.

- If smudged stains appear at the right or left corner of the printed page:

• Make sure the paper is not curled when you print on the back side of the paper with the Print Odd Pages and Print Even Pages settings.

- If smudged stains appear on the reverse side or at the bottom of the page:
NOTE: Illustrations shown below are from the representative product and may differ from your Brother machine.

• Make sure the printer platen is not dirty with ink.
  
  How to clean the machine's printer platen
  
  
  1. Unplug the machine from the AC power outlet.
  2. Lift the scanner cover until it locks securely in the open position.
  3. Clean the machine's printer platen(1) and the area around it, wiping off any scattered ink with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth.
     
     
  4. Close the scanner cover.
     
     
• Make sure you are using Genuine Brother Innobella™ Ink.
  > Brother Genuine Supplies information
  
  
  
• Make sure you are using the paper support flap.
  
  To use the paper support flap, pull out the paper support (1) until it clicks and unfold the paper support flap(2).
  
  

(1) Most photopaper is made to be printed on one side only. Check to see that you are printing on the correct side. (2) You mention new cartridges. Are they the same brand as cartridges you've used before? If they're a different brand, you may want to try whatever worked before.

Check the paper path to ensure that there is no spilled toner anywhere.

Take a look at the toner drum and make sure it is clean and there is no toner leaks.

Rotate the drum with a finger (take it out of the printer) and make sure that it is not dameaged or dirty.

If smudged stains appear at the top center of the printed page:

• Make sure the paper is not too thick or curled.
  Also, verify that the appropriate paper is being used and that the paper type set in the machine matches the media used.
• Make sure the paper is not curled when you print on the back side of the paper with the Print Odd Pages and Print Even Pagessettings.

- If smudged stains appear at the right or left corner of the printed page:

• Make sure the paper is not curled when you print on the back side of the paper with the Print Odd Pages and Print Even Pagessettings.

- If smudged stains appear on the reverse side or at the bottom of the page:
NOTE: Illustrations shown below are from the representative product and may differ from your Brother machine.

• Make sure the printer platen is not dirty with ink.
  
  How to clean the machine's printer platen
  1. Unplug the machine from the AC power outlet.
  2. Lift the scanner cover until it locks securely in the open position.
  3. Clean the machine's printer platen(1) and the area around it, wiping off any scattered ink with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth.
  4. Close the scanner cover.
• Make sure you are using Genuine Brother Innobella™ Ink.
  > Brother Genuine Supplies information
  
• Make sure you are using the paper support flap.
  
  To use the paper support flap, pull out the paper support (1) until it clicks and unfold the paper support flap(2).

Hi, like every ink jet printer, there should be an ink pad(spunch) at the bottom of the printer to collect the waste. That spunch might be full of ink. You could locate it, remove and try to clean it under the water. See if it works

remove the belt and clean

Print Nozzle Check Pattern

1. Press the Open button to open the output tray.
   
   
   
   
2. Load letter-sized plain paper in the auto sheet feeder (ASF) or the cassette.
   
   
3. Display the Maintenance screen on the printer.
   
   
4. Press the up or down cursor to select [Nozzle check], then press the <OK>.
   
   
   
   
5. Press the up or down cursor to select [Yes], then press <OK>. (The nozzle check pattern is printed.)
   
   
6. Confirm the nozzle check pattern.
   

< 1 > The normal nozzle check pattern
< 2 > The abnormal nozzle check pattern

< 3 > Some black ink lines are broken.

< 4 > White lines are present in the color ink pattern.

< 5 > Both black and color inks are not present.
Note:

1. When all patterns are printed normally, press the up / down cursor button to select "All A" and press the OK button.
   
   
2. When any patterns are printed abnormally, press the up / down cursor button to select "Also B" and press the OK button.
   

Print Head Cleaning:

1. Display the Maintenance screen on the printer.
   
   
2. Press the up or down cursor to select [Cleaning], then press <OK>.
   
   
   
   
3. Press the up or down cursor to select [Yes], then press <OK> to start print head cleaning.
   
   Note:
   Do not do any other operations until print head cleaning is completed.
   
   
   
4. Print the nozzle check pattern and check the print head status.
   

Deep (Print Head) cleaning:

1. Display the Maintenance screen.
   
   
2. Press the up or down cursor to select [Deep cleaning], then press <OK>.
   
   
   
   
3. Press the up or down cursor to select [Yes], then press <OK> to start print head deep cleaning.
   
   Note:
   Do not do any other operations until print head deep cleaning is completed.
   
   
   
4. Print the nozzle check pattern and check the print head status.
   
   Note:
   Ifthe printed result does not improve even after doing print head deepcleaning, turn off the printer. Then, after 24 hours or later, do printhead deep cleaning again. (After a given time interval, ink coulddissolve itself, resulting in ink unclogging.
   
   

By smudging do you mean the print is actually rubbing off?
I am going to assume you are seeing some reprint on all printed pages.
If I am understanding correctly, what you have is a bad fuser, most likely a bad heat roller.
That is the heated area just before the pages exit the machine.
The coating on those rolls wear out with time, or may even debond from the aluminum. The ink does not then properly melt into the paper, sticks to the roller and progressively becomes worse.
Replacement of the fuser should resolve that issue. That's simply a normal wear item.