Print Head Alignment (Mac OS X)
Print Head Alignment adjusts differences in the print head position and corrects horizontal and vertical shifts when printing graphs, lines, and text.
Note: - After confirming that the cable connects the printer to the computer and the printer is powered on, follow the procedures below. - After confirming that printing is not being performed, launch the IJ Printer Utility.
- Launch IJ Printer Utility.
Note: In versions of Mac OS X older than 10.4, open the IJ / BJ Printer Utility from the Library>Printers>Canon>BJPrinter>Utilities folder.
- In the Apple menu select System Preferences
- Open Print & Fax.
- Make sure the correct printer is selected and, depending on OS version, click 'Open Print Queue...' or 'Print Queue...'.
- Click the Utility icon.
- Select the printer, then click 'Maintenance'.
- Make sure that the printer is turned on.
- Load three or more sheets of Letter-sized plain paper in the Cassette.
- Open the Paper Output Tray and extend the Output Tray Extension.
- In the pop-up menu, select 'Test Print'.
![](/library/attachments/ServiceWareImages/LDImages/SolutionAnswer/iP4500/iP4500_mac_Test_print.jpg)
- Click 'Print Head Alignment'.
- Click the 'Print Head Alignment' button.
Note: If you click 'Check Setting', the printer prints out the current setting and the display goes back to Canon IJ Printer Utility. To see the current setting first, load a sheet of plain paper in the auto sheet feeder and click 'Check Setting'.
- Printing will start. Do not perform any other operations until the printing is completed.
- The patterns will be printed.
![](/library/attachments/ServiceWareImages/LDImages/SolutionAnswer/iP4600/o_ma_01_013.jpg)
- Refer to the printed sheet, and enter the numbers on the Print Head Alignment window.
![](/library/attachments/ServiceWareImages/LDImages/SolutionAnswer/iP4600/ip4600_mac_man_align2.jpg)
15-1. Select the pattern with the least amount of visible, vertical streaks in the field for Column A.
Note: If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable vertical white streaks.
![](/library/attachments/ServiceWareImages/LDImages/SolutionAnswer/iP4600/o_ma_01_024.jpg)
(A) Less noticeable vertical white streaks.
(B) More noticeable vertical white streaks
15-2. Enter the pattern number of the selected pattern in the Column A box displayed in the right side of the screen.
15-3. Similarly, enter the numbers of the selected patterns in the Column B to G boxes and click 'OK'. For column F and G, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable horizontal streaks.
![](/library/attachments/ServiceWareImages/LDImages/SolutionAnswer/iP4600/o_ma_01_035.jpg)
(C) Less noticeable horizontal white streaks
(D) More noticeable horizontal white streaks
15-4. When all the numbers are entered, click 'Send'.
- Now, print the second pattern sheet. Set one sheet of letter size plain paper in either of the paper sources selected at the <Paper Feed Switch>, then click 'OK'.
![](/library/attachments/ServiceWareImages/LDImages/SolutionAnswer/iP4500/iP4500_mac_man_align3.gif)
- Printing will start. Do not perform any other operations until the printing is completed.
- The patterns will be printed.
![](/library/attachments/ServiceWareImages/LDImages/SolutionAnswer/iP4600/o_ma_02_0114.jpg)
- Refer to the printed sheet, and enter the numbers on the Print Head Alignment window in the same way as step 15.
![](/library/attachments/ServiceWareImages/LDImages/SolutionAnswer/iP4600/ip4600_mac_man_align3.jpg)
- After entering all the numbers, click 'Send'.
If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable vertical white streaks.
![](/library/attachments/ServiceWareImages/LDImages/SolutionAnswer/iP4600/o_ma_02_027.jpg)
(E) Less noticeable vertical white streaks
(F) More noticeable vertical white streaks
- Print the third pattern sheet. Set one sheet of letter size plain paper in either of the paper sources selected at the Paper Feed Switch, then click 'OK'.
![](/library/attachments/ServiceWareImages/LDImages/SolutionAnswer/iP4500/iP4500_mac_man_align5.jpg)
- Printing will start. Do not perform any other operations until the printing is completed.
- The patterns will be printed.
![](/library/attachments/ServiceWareImages/LDImages/SolutionAnswer/iP4600/o_ma_03_018.jpg)
- Examine the printed sheet, and enter the pattern numbers of the most even pattern for each column in the Print Head Alignment window.
![](/library/attachments/ServiceWareImages/LDImages/SolutionAnswer/iP4600/ip4600_mac_man_align4.jpg)
- After entering all the numbers, click 'Send'.
If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable horizontal streaks.
![](/library/attachments/ServiceWareImages/LDImages/SolutionAnswer/iP4600/o_ma_03_029.jpg)
(G) Less noticeable horizontal white streaks
(H) More noticeable horizontal white streaks
Performing Print Head Alignment is completed.