At times I get to have a problem with my Canon Pixma MP287 Printer, printing with lines drawn or shows some mixing ink. First thing is first, "Printing preferences" have their "maintenance" tab where you can also find the "Cleaning" or "deep cleaning" button. This will unclog ink cartridges if it the printer doesn't print properly... Usually I do this 3 times on the "deep cleaning" if necessary. Specially if you are using a "continuous ink flow system" on your printer since sometimes the ink does not flow well or goes back to the original ink container.
At times, when I print from fast or standard printing, there are lines drawn, but when using the high quality printing, it prints good or fine. I believe this is a sign, the cartridge is nearly damaged or is damaged already and requires to be changed. Therefore you should go to your technical service center or the shop where you've bought the printer or to which shop you've applied for a "continuous ink flow" system and let them do the job. Unless, you are skilled enough to buy a new cartridge and replace the ink cartridge.
So far my cartridge was maxed out up to 2 years, though my black cartridge was only 1 year; I mean a cartridge with installed continuous inkflow system. If you don't use inkflow well, you're probably be buying new cartridge everytime.... or you could re-fill it with refillers but I believe the maximum lifespan of the cartridge is about 6 months.. depends on usage though... I think cartridges likes to be used everyday... once it is unused, the ink tends to solidify or stiffen probably damaging the cartridge itself....
