Aligning the Print Head

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

Note: If the remaining ink level is low, the print head alignment sheet will not be printed correctly. Replace the FINE Cartridge whose ink is low.

1. Make sure that the machine is turned on (2).
   
   
2. Load a sheet of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in the Rear Tray (3).
   
   
   
   
3. Open the Paper Output Tray (4) gently.
   
   
4. Print the print head alignment sheet.
   
   1. Press the <Menu> button repeatedly until [Maintenance] appears.
      
   2. Use the button to select [Print head alignment], 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.
        
        
   3. When the message Are the patterns fine? 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. 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 .
      
      
      
      Note: The print head alignment sheet cannot be scanned if it is loaded in the ADF.
      
   3. Close the Document Cover gently, then press the <Color> or <Black> button.
      The machine starts scanning the print head alignment sheet, and the print head position will be adjusted automatically.
      When adjusting the print head position is completed, remove the print head alignment sheet on the Platen Glass.
      
      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 adjusting the auto print head position has failed, Failed to scan the head alignment sheet is displayed on the LCD.
        
        Note:
        • If the print results are still not satisfactory after adjusting the print head position as described above, adjust the print head position  manually from the computer.
          
        • To print and check the current head position adjustment values, select Print head align value in the Maintenance menu.

Manual Print Head Alignment

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.

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

Print Head Alignment

1. Open the printer driver.
   
   •  Open the printer driver on a Windows computer.
     
   •  Launch the Canon IJ Printer Utility on a Macintosh computer.
     
     
2. Load paper in the machine.
   Load three sheets of A4 size or Letter size plain paper into the rear tray.
   
   
3. Execute head alignment.
   Make sure that the machine is on and click 'Align Print Head'.
   
   Follow the instruction in the message.
   
   
4. Check the printed pattern.
   
   Enter the numbers of the patterns with the least amount of streaks in the associated boxes.
   
   Even if the patterns with the least amount of streaks are clicked in the preview window, their numbers are automatically entered 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.
     
     
     
     (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
     
     
5. 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.
   
   
6. Check the printed pattern.
   
   Enter the numbers of the patterns with the least amount of streaks in the associated boxes.
   
   Even if the patterns with the least amount of streaks are clicked in the preview window, their numbers are automatically entered 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.
     
     
     
     (A) Less noticeable vertical white streaks
     
     (B) More noticeable vertical white streaks
     
     
7. Confirm the displayed message and click 'OK'.
   
   The third pattern is printed.
   
   Note: Do not open the Scanning Unit (Cover) while printing is in progress.
   
   
8. Check the printed pattern
   
   Enter the numbers of the patterns with the least noticeable horizontal stripes in the associated boxes.
   
   Even if the patterns with the least noticeable horizontal stripes are clicked in the preview window, their numbers are automatically entered 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.
   
   
   
   (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.

Windows Users

1. Based on your computer's operating system, select 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 'Custom Settings' on the Maintenance tab.
   The Custom Settings dialog box opens.
   
   
4. Switch head alignment to manual.
   Check the 'Align heads manually' check box.
   
   
5. Apply the settings.
   Click 'OK' and when the confirmation message appears, click 'OK'.
   
   
6. Click 'Print Head Alignment' on the Maintenance tab.
   The Start Print Head Alignment dialog box opens.
   
   
7.  Align the print heads.

Macintosh Users

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.
     
     1. Select your model from the Printers list, and click 'Options & Supplies'.
        
     2. 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.
     
     1. Select your model from the Printers list, and click 'Open Print Queue... (Print Queue...)'.
        
     2. Click 'Utility' when a list of print jobs is displayed.
        Canon IJ Printer Utility is launched.
        
        
3. Select 'Custom Settings' from the pop-up menu on the Canon IJ Printer Utility.
   
   
4. Switch head alignment to manual.
   Check the Align heads manually check box.
   
   
5. Apply the settings.
   Click 'Apply' and when the confirmation message appears, click 'OK'.
   
   
6. Select 'Test Print' from the pop-up menu on the Canon IJ Printer Utility.
   
   
7. Click the 'Print Head Alignment' icon.
   A message is displayed.
   
   
8.  Align the print heads.