Aligning the Print Head Position

Print head alignment corrects the installation positions of the print head and improves deviated colors and lines.

This machine supports two head alignment methods: automatic head alignment and manual head alignment.
To perform automatic head alignment, refer to "Aligning the Print Head" in the manual: Basic Guide and then execute the function from the operation panel of the machine.
The procedure for performing manual print head alignment is as follows:

Print Head Alignment

1. Open System Preferences, and select Print & Fax.
   
   
2. Start the Canon IJ Printer Utility.
   
   1. If you are using Mac OS X v.10.6.x, select your model from the Printers list, and click Options & Supplies.
      
   2. Click Open Printer Utility in Utility tab.
      
   3. 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).
      
   4. Click Utility when a list of print jobs is displayed.
      
   5. Canon IJ Printer Utility is launched.
      
      
      
3. Select Custom Settings from the pop-up menu on the Canon IJ Printer Utility.
   
   
4. Check the Align heads manually check box.
   
   
5. Click Send, and click OK when the confirmation message appears.
   
   
6. Click Print Head Alignment icon.
   
   
   

7. Load three sheets of A4 size or Letter size plain paper into the rear tray (3).

   
   
   
   
8. Execute head alignment

   Make sure that the machine is on and click Align Print Head.
   Follow the instruction in the message.
   
   

9. 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.
     
     
     (A) Less noticeable vertical white streaks
     (B) 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.
     
     
     (A) Less noticeable horizontal white streaks
     (B) More noticeable horizontal white streaks
     
     
10. 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.
    
    
11. 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.
      
      
      (A) Less noticeable vertical white streaks
      (B) More noticeable vertical white streaks
      
      
      
12. 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.
    
    
13. Check the printed pattern
    Enter the numbers of the patterns with the least noticeable horizontal stripes 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 horizontal white stripes.
      
      
      (A) Less noticeable horizontal white stripes
      (B) More 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.