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For sharper documents and photos, match the printer’s paper and size settings to what is actually loaded, then choose a quality mode suited to the job. In most print dialogs, these controls appear under Printer Properties, Preferences, Paper/Quality, or Media & Quality; labels and options vary by printer, driver, operating system, and app.

Change the settings in the print dialog

  1. Open the printer settings. In the document or photo app, choose File > Print (or its equivalent), select your printer, and open Printer Properties, Preferences, Paper/Quality, or Media & Quality. HP describes these controls in its document-printing guidance; exact labels depend on the driver and platform.
  2. Match paper type and size. Choose the setting for the paper actually in the tray. For ordinary documents, select the corresponding plain-paper option; for photos, select the closest supported photo-paper option. Check the size as well, such as letter or A4, rather than relying on a default that may not match the loaded sheet.
  3. Choose a quality mode for the task. Use Normal or Standard for routine text and images. Select Best or High for photos or graphics when quality matters more than speed. Epson’s guide describes Standard as “For everyday text and image printing,” while Draft is intended for draft work on plain paper and High for photos and graphics. These are labels and descriptions for a particular Epson product family, not universal menu names.
  4. Check color and page setup. Choose color when the job needs color; do not leave grayscale selected by mistake. Confirm paper size and orientation, and check borderless printing for photo jobs if the printer and paper support it.
  5. Print a test page. For a large job, print one representative page first. If the result needs improvement, change one relevant setting at a time so you can tell what made a difference.

Choose quality by output, not by the highest setting

Mode Best suited to Tradeoff
Draft Quick draft work, where available; Epson documents this mode for draft printing on plain paper. Prioritizes speed over finished output quality.
Normal or Standard Everyday documents and routine text-and-image printing. A practical default for ordinary work; the exact output depends on the printer, paper, and source file.
Best or High Photos and graphics where detail matters more than speed. Typically prints more slowly and may use more ink, depending on the printer and driver.

HP says, “Higher DPI produces better documents but slows print speed.” Its guidance also notes that a higher DPI setting might use more ink. DPI describes print resolution; selecting the maximum is not a guaranteed fix for a small, blurry, or poorly edited source image. HP’s resolution guidance is available in its printing instructions and HP Smart driver guidance for Windows.

Use paper the printer supports

Paper choice affects the result, so use media intended for your printer and select the matching media type in the driver. HP describes plain paper as a common choice for everyday text and graphics and photo paper for photo printing. If buying paper, check compatibility with the exact printer model and choose a driver setting that corresponds to that paper; the same media label is not proof that every paper works in every printer.

Compatibility can matter especially with laser printers. HP warns that inkjet-only glossy paper can blister in the specific LaserJet models covered by its print-quality guidance. This is a product-specific laser-printer caution, not a blanket rule against glossy paper or a claim about every printer.

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If the quality option is missing or the print still looks poor

  • Look in another driver section. Quality controls may be under Paper/Quality, Media & Quality, or a preferences/properties window rather than the first print screen.
  • Check paper and borderless choices. Some Epson settings are unavailable with particular paper types or borderless selections, as noted in its user guide. Try a supported combination before concluding the printer lacks a quality control.
  • Confirm the basic job setup. Verify color versus grayscale, paper size, orientation, and that the media selection matches the loaded paper. HP’s general printing guidance lists these types of controls.
  • Consult the model’s manual. Menus and available modes differ across manufacturers, operating systems, applications, and driver versions. If the options remain unclear, use the printer’s manual or manufacturer support for that model rather than assuming another device’s menu path applies.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.