How to Print on a CD With the Canon Pixma

By Chris Hoke

When you purchase a CD or DVD from a retailer, you might wonder how they get such high-quality images on the top of the disc. You may be surprised to know that you don't need a commercial CD-printing device to get great results. Many recent models of Canon PIXMA printers have the ability to print directly onto a disc, though it requires some modifications to the printer and the removal and reinstallation of the printer drivers. You'll also need a special CD printing tray that is specific to your model of printer.

Open the the front paper tray panel, if necessary, and lower the CD tray door. Remove the plastic shield that covers the CD tray feeder with the flat blade screwdriver.

Turn the printer off and leave it plugged into the electrical outlet.

Set your Canon PIXMA iP3000, iP4000, iP5000, iP6000, or iP8500 series model printer to CD-printing mode. (If your printer is not one of these models, continue to the next step.) Press and hold the "Resume" and "Power" buttons for five seconds. Release "Resume" but continue holding down "Power." Press "Resume" twice, quickly, then release the "Power" button. Press "Resume," then press "Power" to print out a diagnostic sheet with the printer model text in blue. Press "Resume" five times, then press "Power" once. Press "Resume" five more times, then press "Power." Press "Resume" once, then press "Power" to print out a new diagnostic sheet with the printer model text in pink. Press "Power" to confirm changes.

Set your Canon PIXMA IP4200, IP5200, or Pro9000 series model printer to CD-printing mode. (If your printer is not one of these models, continue to the next step.) Press and hold the "Resume" and "Power" buttons for five seconds. Release "Resume" but continue holding down "Power." Press "Resume" twice, quickly, then release the "Power" button. Press "Resume," then press "Power" to print out a diagnostic sheet with the ROM number and "CDR SENSOR=OK" text in red. Press "Resume" five times, then press "Power" once. Press "Resume" four more times, then press "Power." Press "Resume" once, then press "Power" to print out a new diagnostic sheet with the ROM number and "CDR SENSOR=OK" text in cyan. Press "Power" to confirm changes.

Set your Canon PIXMA MP500, MP600, MP800, MP830, MP950 or iP6600 series model printer to CD-printing mode. (If your printer is not one of these models, continue to the next step.) Press and hold the "Stop/Reset" and "Power" buttons for five seconds. Release the "Stop/Reset" button and continue holding "Power." Press the "Stop/Reset" button twice. Release the "Power" button. Allow a few moments for the printer lights to stop blinking. Press "Stop/Reset" five times, then press "Power." Press "Stop/Reset" four more times, then press "Power." Press the "Power" button to confirm changes.

Set your Canon PIXMA MP750 or MP780 series model printer to CD-printing mode. (If your printer is not one of these models, continue to the next step.) Press the "Menu" button, then "Scan," "Copy," and "Scan." The display will read "Service Mode." Press the right arrow button until the printer screen displays "#5:Type." Press "OK." Choose "CYGNUS-1" for the model MP750 printer or choose "CYGNUS-2" for the model MP780 printer. Press "OK." Select "Standard" region and press "OK." Press "Power" to reset the printer. Choose your preferred language and press "OK."

Set your Canon PIXMA MP760 series model printer to CD-printing mode. Press the "Menu" button, then "Scan," "Copy," and "Scan." The display will read "Service Mode." Press the down arrow button until the printer displays "#5:Type." Press "OK." Select "Standard" region and press "OK." Press "Power" to turn the printer off. Press "Power" to turn it back on. Choose your preferred language and press "OK."

Insert the Canon PIXMA driver installation disc into your computer's optical disc drive. Click the "Start" menu button and choose "Control Panel." Click "Administrative Tools" and open "Print Management." Click "Print Servers" in the left pane. Right-click on your Canon PIXMA printer name and choose "Remove Printer Package" to remove the existing drivers.

Click "Start" and then "Computer." Double-click the CD drive to run the Canon PIXMA driver installation disc. Follow the displayed instructions to install the driver files for your printer and operating system.

Download and install the "Canon CD-LabelPrint" software (see Resources section below).

Launch the "Canon CD-LabelPrint" software. Create your CD or DVD design from within the program by importing pictures and adding text.

Click the "Print" button. Attach the printable CD or DVD disc to the CD tray. Follow the directions by inserting the CD printing tray into the CD tray feeder when prompted. The printer will grab the tray and print the design directly onto the disc.

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