What can typically cause a printout to smudge or smear when touched?

The smudging or smearing of a printout is most commonly related to inadequate fuser heat. The fuser is a component in laser printers that uses heat and pressure to bond the toner onto the paper. When the fuser does not reach the appropriate temperature, the toner may not adhere properly to the paper, resulting in prints that can easily smudge when touched.

Low-quality paper can contribute to print quality issues, but it does not directly relate to the toner not setting properly; instead, it may result in other issues like poor ink absorption or feathering. A dirty printhead is more associated with inkjet printers, where it could cause streaks or spots rather than smudging. Incorrect toner may lead to color inaccuracies or different types of print failures but is less likely to be the direct cause of smearing unless it is entirely incompatible with the printer. Each of these issues can affect print quality, but inadequate fuser heat specifically affects the bonding of toner to the paper, which is the primary cause of smearing upon contact.