Print Head Alignment

Print Head Alignment adjusts differences in the print head position and corrects horizontal and vertical shifts when printing graphs, lines, and text. Print Head Alignment can be performed either automatically or manually. The manual print head alignment corrects minute differences that may not be corrected by the automatic Print Head Alignment. Perform the manual Print Head Alignment if necessary.

Note: When performing Print Head Alignment automatically, one sheet of Canon Matte Photo Paper (MP-101) is required. If you do not have Canon Matte Photo Paper (MP-101) with you, perform Print Head Alignment manually. When performing Print Head Alignment manually, three sheets of plain paper are required.

< How to open the Maintenance window >

Note: Confirm that the printer is connected to the computer and the printer is powered ON.

1. Open Printers.
   
   For Windows 7
   • Click the 'Start' button from the bottom left of the Windows screen, and then click on 'Devices and Printers'.
   • Click your right mouse button on the listing for your printer, and then select 'Printing Preferences' from the menu that appears.
     

   For Windows Vista

   • Click / Select the 'Start' from the bottom left of the Windows screen, 'Control Panel', 'Hardware and Sound', and then click on 'Printers'. Note: If you are in 'Classic' view, click 'Printers' directly from the 'Control Panel'.
   • Click your right mouse button on the listing for your printer, and then select 'Preferences' from the menu that appears.
     

   For Windows XP Home Edition

   • Click / Select the 'Start' button from the bottom left of the Windows screen, 'Control Panel,' 'Printers and Other Hardware,' and 'Printers and Faxes.'
   • Click your right mouse button on the listing for your printer, and then select 'Preferences' from the menu that appears.

   
   For Windows XP Professional Edition

   • Click 'Start' from the bottom left of the Windows screen, and 'Printers and Faxes.'
   • Click your right mouse button on the listing for your printer, and then select 'Preferences' from the menu that appears.

   
   For Windows 2000

   • Click / Select 'Start' from the bottom left of the Windows screen, and 'Settings,' then 'Printers.'
   • Click your right mouse button on the listing for your printer, and then select 'Properties' from the menu that appears.
2. Select the Maintenance tab.
   
   
   
   

<How to set the printer to perform Print Head Alignment automatically or manually>

Note: Print Head Alignment is normally set to be performed automatically.

1. In the Maintenance window, click 'Custom Settings.'
   
   
   
   
2. To perform Print Head Alignment automatically, deselect 'Align heads manually'. To perform Print Head Alignment manually, select 'Align heads manually'. Then, click 'Send'.
   
   
   
   
3. Click 'OK'.

<How to perform Print Head Alignment automatically>

1. In the Maintenance window, click 'Print Head Alignment.'
   
   
   
   *Display varies according to the printer model.
   
   
2. Load one sheet of letter-sized Matte Photo Paper (MP-101) in the rear tray with the whiter side facing you, then click 'Align Print Head'.
   
   
   
   Note: If you click Check Setting, the printer prints out the current setting and the display goes back to the Maintenance tab. To see the current setting first, load a sheet of plain paper in the cassette and click 'Print Alignment Value'.
   
   
3. Print Head Alignment starts. Do not perform any other operations until printing is completed.
   
   Important: Do not open the Top Cover while printing is is progress.
   
   
4. The pattern is printed.
   
   
   
   
5. When printing is completed, performing Print Head Alignment automatically is completed.

<How to perform Print Head Alignment manually>

1. In the Maintenance window, click 'Print Head Alignment.'
   
   
   
   
2. Load three sheets of letter-sized plain paper in the cassette, click 'Align Print Head'.
   
   
   
   Note: If you click 'Print Alignment Value', the printer prints out the current setting and the display goes back to Maintenance tab. To see the current setting first, load a sheet of plain paper in the cassette and click 'Check Setting'.
   
   
3. Printing will start. Do not perform any other operations until the printing is completed.
   
   
4. The first pattern will be printed.
   
   
   
   
5. Refer to the printed sheet, and enter the numbers on the Print Head Alignment window.
   
   
   
   5-1. Select the pattern with the least amount of visible, vertical streaks in the field for Column A.
   
   5-2. Enter the pattern number of the selected pattern in the Column A box displayed in the right side of the screen.
   
   5-3. Similarly, enter the numbers of the selected patterns in the Column B to G boxes.
   
   If it is difficult to select the best pattern, select the pattern that has the least noticeable vertical white streaks.
   
   
   
   (A) Less noticeable vertical white streaks
   (B) More noticeable vertical white streaks
   
   For column F and G, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable horizontal streaks.
   
   
   
   (C) Less noticeable horizontal white streaks
   (D) More noticeable horizontal white streaks
   
   5-4. When all the numbers are entered, click 'OK'.
   
6. Now, print the second pattern sheet. Click 'OK' when prompted.
   
   
7. Printing will start. Do not perform any other operations until the printing is completed.
   
   
8. The second pattern will be printed.
   
   
   
   
9. Refer to the printed sheet, and enter the numbers on the Print Head Alignment window in the same way as procedure 5.
   
   
   
   
10. After entering all the numbers, click 'OK'.
    
    If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable vertical white streaks.
    
    
    
    (E) Less noticeable vertical white streaks
    (F) More noticeable vertical white streaks
    
    
11. Print the third pattern sheet. Click 'OK' when prompted.
    
    
12. Printing will start. Do not perform any other operations until the printing is completed.
    
    
13. The pattern will be printed.
    
    
    
    
14. Examine the printed sheet, and enter the pattern numbers of the pattern with the least noticeable horizontal streaks for each column in the Print Head Alignment window.
    
    
    
    
15. After entering all the numbers, click 'OK'.
    
    If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable horizontal streaks.
    
    
    
    (G) Less noticeable horizontal white streaks
    (H) More noticeable horizontal white streaks
    
    
16. Performing Print Head Alignment is completed.