How to Print on a CD With Canon LP3000 Nero Cover Designer

Nero Cover Designer comes with built-in templates for scores of standard compact disc (CD) label stocks, but it can also print directly onto the CDs themselves. And the Canon Pixma iP3000 has an undocumented feature that allows it to print on printable blank CDs. Order a special CD tray for the printer, available from multiple sources, but with that in hand, easily convert an iP3000 into a CD printer with little trouble.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Canon Pixma iP3000 inkjet printer
• Screwdriver
• Printer driver disk for Pixma iP3000
• CD tray for Canon Pixma
• Printable CD
• Nero Cover Designer

Instructions

Configuring the Printer

1. Lower the manual feed hatch on the printer and use a screwdriver to pry off the CD tray cover that is just above where the hatch meets the body of the printer.

2. Turn the power to the printer off.

3. Enter the printer's service mode by holding down the "Resume" button, the button with the down arrow over it and simultaneously holding down the "Power" button for five seconds. Then continue to hold down the "Power" button but release the "Resume" button. Press the "Resume" button twice quickly, then release the "Power" button.

4. Reset the printer's destination setting by pressing the "Resume" button five times, then pressing the "Power" button. Repeat this procedure. This enables the CD printing feature on the printer.

5. Press the "Power" button to return to normal printing mode.

6. Install the printer drivers on the computer, according to Canon's instructions. If you installed the printer before reconfiguring it, uninstall the printer and reinstall it in the Windows "Add a Printer" screen in the "Control Panel."

Print a CD from Nero Cover Designer

1. Open Cover Designer. In the New Document window, select "Standard" and click "OK"

2. Click the "Disc 1" tab at the bottom of the window to go to the disk label designer.

3. Drop down the menu that says "Normal Paper" and change this setting to "Canon Pixma iP3000 CD Printer."

4. Design your label in the template that appears.

5. Place a printable disk face up in the CD tray and insert it in the slot you opened in the front of the printer.

6. Click the printer icon at the top of the window in Cover Designer. In the General tab, click the "Setup" button next to the printer name.

7. In the "Print Setup" menu, change the printer to "Canon Pixma iP3000" and click the "Properties" button next to it.

8. In the "Page Setup" tab of the "Printing Preferences" window, select "CD-R Tray B" in the drop-down "Page Size" menu. Click "OK" until you return to the print window in Cover Designer.

9. In the "Elements" tab of the print window, deselect all options except "CD-1."

10. While pressing slightly on the CD tray, click "OK" on the print window to begin printing. The printer will draw the tray in, print the label on the CD and eject it again.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also buy a roller adapter kit so that the printer will draw the tray in itself, and you won't have to push it manually. It's always a good idea to load the proper disc template in Cover Designer before you begin to design, so that you're using the actual space that is printable on the disc.

• Be aware that this procedure is not documented for Canon printers sold in the U.S., and may void your warranty if it is still in force. Be careful in removing the CD tray cover to avoid breaking it. Use only inkjet-printable CDs in the printer; normal CD media may cause inkjet toner to smear in the printer and ruin future print jobs. Failure to uncheck all elements in Cover Designer other than "CD-1" will cause the printer to try to print jewel case inserts, which may cause a printer error.

References

• Camera Town: How-to Modify Your Canon Pixma Printer to Print on CD-DVD Media
• Damn Printer: Canon Pixma iP3000, iP4000, iP5000, iP6000, iP8500
• Nero: CoverDesigner Manual

Resources

• CNET: Print labels on CDs and DVDs