Aligning the Print Head
22-Jul-2011
8201130600
Solution
If printed ruled lines are misaligned or print results are otherwise unsatisfactory, adjust the print head position.
REFERENCE
- You can also adjust the print head position using the computer.
Refer to [ Aligning the Print Head Position from Your Computer ] within this webpage.
- If the remaining ink level is low, the print head alignment sheet will not be printed correctly. Replace the ink tank whose ink is low.
-> [ Replacing an Ink Tank ]
- If you run out of the supplied paper (Matte Photo Paper MP-101) or the specified Canon genuine paper is not immediately available or obtainable, you can use plain paper and align the print head manually using the computer.
Refer to [ Aligning the Print Head Position Manually from Your Computer ] within this webpage.
- The print head alignment pattern is printed in black and blue.
You need to prepare: a sheet of A4 or Letter-sized Matte Photo Paper MP-101
1. Make sure that the power is turned on.
2. Load a sheet of supplied paper or A4 or Letter-sized Matte Photo Paper MP-101 in the rear tray.
Load the paper with the print side (whiter side) facing you in the rear tray.
IMPORTANT
You cannot use the cassette to align the print head automatically. Be sure to load paper in the rear tray.
3. Open the paper output tray gently, and extend the output tray extension to open.
IMPORTANT
If the inner cover is open, close it.
4. Hold down the RESUME/CANCEL button until the POWER lamp flashes green four times, then release it immediately.
The print head alignment sheet will be printed and the printer will adjust the print head position automatically.
Do not perform any other operations until the printer completes the printing of the print head alignment sheet. This takes about 5 minutes.
REFERENCE
- If the automatic adjustment of the print head position has failed, the Alarm lamp flashes.
-> "Eleven flashes:" in [ Alarm Lamp Flashes Orange ]
- 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.
Refer to [ Aligning the Print Head Position Manually from Your Computer ] within this webpage.
This printer supports two head alignment methods: automatic head alignment and manual head alignment. Normally, the printer is set for automatic head alignment.
If the printing results of automatic print head alignment are not satisfactory, refer to [ Aligning the Print Head Position Manually from Your Computer ] within this webpage, and perform manual head alignment.
The procedure for performing automatic print head alignment is as follows:
REFERENCE
- If the inner cover is open, close it.
- The pattern is printed only in black and blue.
1. Open the printer driver setup window
2. Click Print Head Alignment on the Maintenance tab
The Start Print Head Alignment dialog box opens.
3. Load paper in the printer
Load one sheet of A4 size or Letter size Matte Photo Paper (MP-101) into the rear tray.
REFERENCE
- The type of media and number of sheets to be used differ when you select the manual head alignment.
4. Execute head alignment
Make sure that the printer is on and click Align Print Head.
Follow the instruction in the message.
IMPORTANT
Do not open the top cover while printing is in progress.
REFERENCE
- Wait until printing ends before performing other operations. Printing takes about 3 minutes to complete.
- To print and check the current setting, open the Start Print Head Alignment dialog box, and click Print Alignment Value.
1. Select Test Print from the pop-up menu on the Canon IJ Printer Utility
2. Click the Print Head Alignment icon
A message is displayed.
3. Load paper in the printer
Load one sheet of A4 size or Letter size Matte Photo Paper (MP-101) into the rear tray.
REFERENCE
- The type of media and number of sheets to be used differ when you select the manual head alignment.
4. Execute head alignment
Make sure that the printer is on and click Align Print Head.
Follow the instruction in the message.
IMPORTANT
Do not open the top cover while printing is in progress.
REFERENCE
- Wait until printing ends before performing other operations. Printing takes about 3 minutes to complete.
- 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.
Print head alignment corrects the installation positions of the print head and improves deviated colors and lines.
This printer supports two head alignment methods: automatic head alignment and manual head alignment. Normally, the printer is set for automatic head alignment.
If the printing results of automatic print head alignment are not satisfactory, perform manual head alignment.
The procedure for performing manual print head alignment is as follows:
REFERENCE
- If the inner cover is open, close it.
- The pattern is printed only in black and blue.
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.
REFERENCE
If the printer is off or bi-directional communication is disabled, a message may appear because the computer cannot collect the printer status.
If this happens, click OK to display the most recent settings specified on your computer.
4. Apply the settings
Click OK 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 printer
Load three sheets of A4 size or Letter size plain paper into the cassette.
7. Execute head alignment
Make sure that the printer 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.
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.
REFERENCE
- 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
9. Confirm the displayed message and click OK
The second pattern is printed.
IMPORTANT
Do not open the top 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.
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.
REFERENCE
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
11. Confirm the displayed message and click OK
The third pattern is printed.
IMPORTANT
Do not open the top 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.
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.
REFERENCE
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
REFERENCE
To print and check the current setting, open the Start Print Head Alignment dialog box, and click Print Alignment Value.
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. Apply the settings
Click Apply 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 printer
Load three sheets of A4 size or Letter size plain paper into the cassette.
7. Execute head alignment
Make sure that the printer 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 OK.
REFERENCE
- 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
- that produces the least noticeable horizontal white streaks.
(A) Less noticeable horizontal white streaks
(B) More noticeable horizontal white streaks
9. Confirm the displayed message and click OK
The second pattern is printed.
IMPORTANT
Do not open the top 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 OK.
REFERENCE
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
11. Confirm the displayed message and click OK
The third pattern is printed.
IMPORTANT
Do not open the top 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, and click OK.
REFERENCE
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
REFERENCE
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.