Print Head Alignment

If printed ruled lines are misaligned or print results are otherwise unsatisfactory, adjust the print head position.

Click here to perform an automatic print head alignment.

Click here to perform a manual print head alignment on a Windows computer.

Click here to perform a manual print head alignment on a Macinstosh computer.

Automatic Print Head Alignment

You need to prepare: a sheet of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper (including recycled paper)*

* Be sure to use paper that is white and clean on sides.

1. Make sure that the power is turned on.
   
   
2. Make sure that one or more sheets of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper are loaded in the Cassette.
   
   
3. Open the Paper Output Tray gently, and open the Output Tray Extension.
   
   
4. Print the print head alignment sheet.
   
   1. Select <Setup> on the HOME screen.
      The Setup menu screen will appear.
      
   2. Select <Maintenance> , and press the <OK> button.
      The Maintenance screen will appear.
      
   3. Select [Auto head alignment], and press the <OK> button.
      
      
      
      The confirmation screen will appear.
      
   4. Confirm the message, select [Yes], then press the <OK> button.
      
      The print head alignment sheet will be printed.
      
      
      
      Important:
      
      • Do not touch any printed part on the print head alignment sheet.
      • Be careful not to get the print head alignment sheet dirty. If the sheet is stained or wrinkled, it may not be scanned properly.
        
        
   5. When the message "Did the patterns print correctly?" appears, confirm that the pattern is printed correctly, select [Yes], then press the <OK> button.
      
      
5. Scan the print head alignment sheet to adjust the print head position.
   
   1. Confirm the message, and load the print head alignment sheet on the Platen Glass.
      
   2. Load the print head alignment sheet WITH THE PRINTED SIDE FACING DOWN and align the mark on the upper left corner of the sheet with the alignment mark .
      
      
      
      
   3. Close the Document Cover gently, and press the <OK> button.
      The machine starts scanning the print head alignment sheet, and the print head position will be adjusted automatically.
      
      Important:
      
      • Do not open the Document Cover or remove the print head alignment sheet on the Platen Glass until adjusting the print head position is completed.
      • If the message "Failed to scan head alignment sheet." appears, press the <OK> button.
        
        
   4. When the completion message appears, press the <OK> button.
      The screen will return to the Maintenance screen.
      
   5. When adjusting the print head position is completed, remove the print head alignment sheet on the Platen Glass.
      
      Note:
      
      • Press the <HOME> button to exit Setup and display the HOME screen.
        
      • To print and check the current head position adjustment values, select [Print the head alignment value] on the Maintenance screen.

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Windows Manual Print Head Alignment

The procedure for performing manual print head alignment is as follows:

1. Open the printer driver setup window.
   
   
2. Click 'Custom Settings' on the Maintenance tab
   The Custom Settings dialog box opens.
   
   
3. Switch head alignment to manual.
   Check the Align heads manually check box.
   
   
4. Transmit the settings.
   Click 'Send' and when the confirmation message appears, click 'OK'.
   
   
5. Click 'Print Head Alignment' on the Maintenance tab.
   The Start Print Head Alignment dialog box opens.
   
   
6. Load paper in the machine.
   Load three sheets of A4 size or Letter size plain paper into the cassette.
   
   
7. Execute head alignment.
   Make sure that the machine is on and click 'Align Print Head'.
   Follow the instruction in the message.
   
   
8. Check the printed pattern.
   Enter the numbers of the patterns with the least amount of streaks in the associated boxes.
   Clicking the patterns with the least amount of streaks in the preview window, will automatically set their numbers in the associated boxes.
   
   
   
   When you have entered all the necessary values, click 'OK'.
   
   Note:
   
   • If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable vertical white streaks.
     
     
     
     1. Less noticeable vertical white streaks
     2. More noticeable vertical white streaks
        
        
   • If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable horizontal white streaks.
     
     
     
     1. Less noticeable horizontal white streaks
     2. More noticeable horizontal white streaks
        
        
9. Confirm the displayed message and click 'OK'.
   The second pattern is printed.
   
   Important: Do not open the Scanning Unit (Cover) while printing is in progress.
   
   
10. Check the printed pattern.
    Enter the numbers of the patterns with the least amount of streaks in the associated boxes.
    Clicking the patterns with the least amount of streaks in the preview window, will automatically set their numbers in the associated boxes.
    
    
    
    When you have entered all the necessary values, click OK.
    
    Note:
    
    • If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable vertical white streaks.
      
      
      
      1. Less noticeable vertical white streaks
      2. More noticeable vertical white streaks
         
         
11. Confirm the displayed message and click 'OK'.
    The third pattern is printed.
    
    Important: Do not open the Scanning Unit (Cover) while printing is in progress.
    
    
12. Check the printed pattern.
    Enter the numbers of the patterns with the least noticeable horizontal stripes in the associated boxes.
    Clicking the patterns with the least noticeable horizontal stripes in the preview window, will automatically set their numbers in the associated boxes.
    
    
    
    When you have entered all the necessary values, click 'OK'.
    
    Note:
    
    • If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable horizontal white stripes.
      
      
      

Note: To print and check the current setting, open the Start Print Head Alignment dialog box, and click 'Print Alignment Value'.

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Macintosh Manual Print Head Alignment

The procedure for performing manual print head alignment is as follows:

1. Select Custom Settings from the pop-up menu on the Canon IJ Printer Utility.
   
   
2. Switch head alignment to manual.
   Check the Align heads manually check box.
   
   
3. Transmit the settings.
   Click 'Send' and when the confirmation message appears, click 'OK'.
   
   
4. Select Test Print from the pop-up menu on the Canon IJ Printer Utility.
   
   
5. Click the Print Head Alignment icon.
   A message is displayed.
   
   
6. Load paper in the machine.
   Load three sheets of A4 size or Letter size plain paper into the cassette.
   
   
7. Execute head alignment.
   Make sure that the machine is on and click 'Align Print Head'.
   Follow the instruction in the message.
   
   
8. Check the printed pattern.
   Enter the numbers of the patterns with the least amount of streaks in the associated boxes, and click 'Send'.
   
   
   
   
   Note:
   
   • If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable vertical white streaks.
     
     
     
     1. Less noticeable vertical white streaks
     2. More noticeable vertical white streaks
        
        
   • If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable horizontal white streaks.
     
     
     
     1. Less noticeable horizontal white streaks
     2. More noticeable horizontal white streaks
        
        
9. Confirm the displayed message and click 'OK'.
   The second pattern is printed.
   
   Important: Do not open the Scanning Unit (Cover) while printing is in progress.
   
   
10. Check the printed pattern.
    Enter the numbers of the patterns with the least amount of streaks in the associated boxes, and click 'Send'.
    
    
    
    
    Note:
    
    • If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable vertical white streaks.
      
      
      
      1. Less noticeable vertical white streaks
      2. More noticeable vertical white streaks
         
         
11. Confirm the displayed message and click 'OK'.
    The third pattern is printed.
    
    Important: Do not open the Scanning Unit (Cover) while printing is in progress.
    
    
12. Check the printed pattern.
    Enter the numbers of the patterns with the least amount of streaks in the associated boxes, and click 'Send'.
    
    
    
    When you have entered all the necessary values, click 'OK'.
    
    Note:
    
    • If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable horizontal white stripes.
      
      
      

Note: After head alignment is completed, you can print and check the current setting. To do so, click the Print Head Alignment icon and when the message is displayed, click Print Alignment Value.

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Open the Printer Driver Setup Window

1. Select items from the Start menu as shown below:
   
   • If you are using Windows 7, select the Start menu -> Devices and Printers.
     
   • If you are using Windows Vista, select the Start menu -> Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Printers.
     
   • If you are using Windows XP, select the Start menu -> Control Panel -> Printers and Other Hardware -> Printers and Faxes.
     
     
2. Right-click your model name icon, and then select Printing Preferences from the displayed menu.
   The printer driver setup window appears.
   
   
3. Click here to return to step 1.

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To open the Canon IJ Printer Utility, follow the steps below.

1. Open System Preferences, and select Print & Fax.
   
   
2. Start the Canon IJ Printer Utility.
   
   • If you are using Mac OS X v.10.6.x.
     Select your model from the Printers list, and click Options & Supplies.
     Click Open Printer Utility in Utility tab.
     
   • If you are using Mac OS X v.10.5.x or Mac OS X v.10.4.11.
     Select your model from the Printers list, and click Open Print Queue (Print Queue).
     Click Utility when a list of print jobs is displayed.
     
     
3. Canon IJ Printer Utility is launched.
   
   Note: To open the Canon IJ Printer Utility, turn on the machine and make sure that it is connected to the computer with a USB cable.
   
   
4. Click here to return to step 1.

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