What typically happens when printouts appear washed out?

When printouts appear washed out, it is commonly due to low ink or toner levels in the printer. This condition results in insufficient pigment being available on the printed page, which may lead to light or faded colors rather than the expected vibrancy. Low ink or toner affects the printer's ability to produce rich, dense prints, causing colors to appear muted or washed out.

In contrast, insufficient paper loading would typically not cause a washed-out appearance; rather, it might lead to a printer error or a failure to print altogether. Improper page formatting might result in layout issues or incorrect margins, not directly impacting the color intensity of the printouts. Finally, a paper jam would prevent printing from occurring entirely or create misalignment, which again does not relate to the color quality of the print. Thus, low ink or toner is the most direct cause of washed-out printouts.