Printer problem

I was having the same problem with the same type of printer. I wrote to Lexmark and this is the reply I got, which fixed the problem for me:


A technique to improve print quality is to try and clean the cartridge
nozzles. You can clean the cartridge using the following steps given below:

Click on "Start," go to "All Programs," and down to the Lexmark. Click on
the "Solution Center." Next, click on the "Maintenance" tab. Select "Clean
to fix horizontal strips." This will produce a printed page.

The colors that you should see here are black, yellow, magenta (a reddish
purple) and cyan (a dark sky blue). You should notice the diagonal lines
above and below the solid horizontal lines. These diagonal lines should be
solid from left to right with no gaps.

If there are gaps in the lines or the print diminishes across the page, you
should run the "Clean to fix horizontal streaks" page a couple more times
to try and clear it up. If you still have gaps at the top and bottom, you
should "wick" the cartridges by following the steps given below:

1. Please open the "Solution Center" again and go to the "Maintenance" Tab.
2. Select "Install color/black cartridge" and remove the cartridge (or
cartridges) from the printer.
3. Get a damp paper towel.
4. Set the ink cartridge right side up on the damp paper towel so that the
ink nozzles are against the towel and hold the cartridge in this position
for about 15 seconds.
5. Now wipe the print head (on the bottom where the ink comes out) across
in one direction only (left to right) until it looks clean.
6. Next dab the cartridge on the towel to make sure that the ink is
flowing.
7. Snap the cartridges back into the printer.
8. On your computer, select "Old Cartridge install."
9. Repeat the "Clean to fix horizontal strips" one more time. If this fails
to address the problem, the entire procedure may need repeating.

I cleaned the cartridge three times and each time the color gets better. I really hate to waste expensive ink so I'll try cleaning by hand next.