Aligning the Print Head
FAQ ID: 8200051500
Release date: 03 March 2008
Solution
If ruled lines are printed misaligned or print results are otherwise unsatisfactory, adjust the print head position.
REFERENCE
- The print head alignment pattern is printed in black and blue only.
- Aligning the Print Head without a Computer
The Print Head Alignment can also be performed without a computer, using the RESUME/CANCEL button.
If the printer driver is not installed in the computer, align the Print Head in this way.
1. Make sure that the printer is turned on, and then load a sheet of supplied paper (Paper For Print Head Alignment) or A4/Letter-sized Canon Matte Photo Paper MP-101 with the printing side (whiter side) facing up in the Rear Tray.
2. Set the Paper Thickness Lever to the right. See Paper Thickness Lever.
3. Hold down the RESUME/CANCEL button until the Power lamp flashes green four times, and then release it immediately.
The print head alignment pattern is printed. Do not open the Print Head Cover while printing. The print head position is adjusted automatically when the print head alignment pattern finishes printing.
Automatic Print Head Alignment (Windows)
1. Make sure that the printer is turned on, and then load a sheet of supplied paper (Paper For Print Head Alignment) or A4/Letter-sized Canon Matte Photo Paper MP-101 with the printing side (whiter side) facing up in the Rear Tray.Set the Paper Thickness Lever to the right.
2. Open the printer properties dialog box.
3. Adjust the print head pattern.
(1) Click the Maintenance tab.
(2) Click Print Head Alignment.
(3) Confirm the displayed message and click Align Print Head.
The print head alignment pattern is printed. Printing takes about 4 minutes to complete.
IMPORTANT
Do not open the Print Head Cover while printing.
REFERENCE
Clicking Print Alignment Value prints the current settings and finishes Print Head Alignment.
If the pattern is printed as shown below, the Print Head is aligned automatically. 
REFERENCE
- If the pattern is not printed successfully, see [Alarm Lamp Flashes Orange].
- If results of Automatic Print Head Alignment are not satisfactory, see Manual Print Head Alignment and align the Print Head manually.
Automatic Print Head Alignment (Macintosh)
1. Make sure that the printer is turned on, and then load a sheet of supplied paper (Paper For Print Head Alignment) or A4/Letter-sized Canon Matte Photo Paper MP-101 with the printing side (whiter side) facing up in the Rear Tray.Set the Paper Thickness Lever to the right.
2. Open the Canon IJ Printer Utility dialog box.
3. Adjust the print head pattern. 
(1) Select Test Print in the pop-up menu.
(2) Click Print Head Alignment.
(3) Confirm the displayed message and click Align Print Head. 
The print head alignment pattern is printed. Printing takes about 4 minutes to complete.
IMPORTANT
Do not open the Print Head Cover while printing.
NOTE
Clicking Print Alignment Value prints the current settings and finishes Print Head Alignment.
If the pattern is printed as shown below, the Print Head is aligned automatically.
REFERENCE
- If the pattern is not printed successfully, see [Alarm Lamp Flashes Orange].
- If results of Automatic Print Head Alignment are not satisfactory, see Manual Print Head Alignment and align the Print Head manually.
Manual Print Head Alignment (Windows)
If the results of Automatic Print Head Alignment are not satisfactory, follow the procedure below to perform Manual Print Head Alignment to precisely align the Print Head.1. Make sure that the printer is on and then load two sheets of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in the Rear Tray.
Set the Paper Thickness Lever to the right.
2. Print the pattern.
(1) Open the printer properties dialog box.
(2) Click the Maintenance tab and then Custom Settings.
(3) Select the Align heads manually check box, and then click Send.
(4) Confirm the displayed message and click OK.
(5) In the Maintenance sheet click Print Head Alignment.
(6) Confirm the displayed message and click Align Print Head.
IMPORTANT
Do not open the Print Head Cover while printing.
REFERENCE
Clicking Print Alignment Value prints the current settings and finishes Print Head Alignment.
(7) After the pattern is printed, click Yes. 
The dialog for entering a print head alignment value is displayed.
3. Look at the first printout and adjust the print head position.
(1) Check the printed patterns and select the number of the pattern in column A that has the least noticeable streaks. 
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
(2) Repeat the procedure until you finish inputting the pattern number for column N, then click OK.
(3) Confirm the displayed message and click OK.
The second pattern is printed.
IMPORTANT
Do not open the Print Head Cover while printing.
4. Look at the second printout and adjust the print head position.
(1) Check the printed patterns and select the number of the pattern in column O that has the least noticeable horizontal streaks. 
REFERENCE
If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable horizontal white streaks.
(C) Less noticeable horizontal white streaks
(D) More noticeable horizontal white streaks
(2) Repeat the procedure until you finish inputting the pattern number for column V, then click OK.
(3) Confirm the displayed message, load a sheet of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in the Rear Tray, and then click OK.
The third pattern is printed.
IMPORTANT
Do not open the Print Head Cover while printing.
5. Look at the third printout and adjust the print head position.
(1) Check the printed patterns and select the number of the pattern in column W that has the least noticeable streaks. 
REFERENCE
If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable white streaks.
(E) Less noticeable horizontal white streaks
(F) More noticeable horizontal white streaks
(2) Similarly, select the number of the pattern in column X that has the least noticeable streaks, then click OK.
(3) Confirm the displayed message and click OK.
Manual Print Head Alignment (Macintosh)
1 Make sure that the printer is on and then load two sheets of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in the Rear Tray.Set the Paper Thickness Lever to the right.
2. Print the pattern.
(1) Open the Canon IJ Printer Utility dialog box.
(2) Select Custom Settings in the pop-up menu.
(3) Select the Align heads manually check box, and then click Send.
(4) Confirm the displayed message and click OK.
(5) Select Test Print in the pop-up menu.
(6) Click Print Head Alignment.
(7) Confirm the displayed message and click Align Print Head. 
The print head alignment pattern is printed.
IMPORTANT
Do not open the Print Head Cover while printing.
REFERENCE
Clicking Print Alignment Value prints the current settings and finishes Print Head Alignment.
3. Look at the first printout and adjust the print head position.
(1) Check the printed patterns and select the number of the pattern in column A that has the least noticeable streaks. 
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
(2) Repeat the procedure until you finish inputting the pattern number for column N, then click Send.
(3) Confirm the displayed message and click OK.
The second pattern is printed.
IMPORTANT
Do not open the Print Head Cover while printing.
4. Look at the second printout and adjust the print head position.
(1) Check the printed patterns and select the number of the pattern in column O that has the least noticeable horizontal streaks. 
REFERENCE
If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable horizontal white streaks.
(C) Less noticeable horizontal white streaks
(D) More noticeable horizontal white streaks
(2) Repeat the procedure until you finish inputting the pattern number for column V, then click Send.
(3) Confirm the displayed message, load a sheet of A4 or Letter-sized plain paper in the Rear Tray, and then click OK.
The third pattern is printed.
IMPORTANT
Do not open the Top Cover while printing.
5. Look at the third printout and adjust the print head position.
(1) Check the printed patterns and select the number of the pattern in column W that has the least noticeable streaks.
REFERENCE
If it is difficult to pick the best pattern, pick the setting that produces the least noticeable white streaks.
(E) Less noticeable horizontal white streaks
(F) More noticeable horizontal white streaks
(2) Similarly, select the number of the pattern in column X that has the least noticeable streaks, then click Send.
Applicable Models
- PIXMA iP100