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Introduction to Canon Cd print feature:
Print text and graphics directly onto printable CD's or DVD's with select Canon Printers that have this feature. Models sold into the North American market do not have this feature
enabled. Simply stated Canon has turned off this feature on all capable models sold into the North American market. The key to using this feature is knowing how to turn it back on. Through the efforts of 100's of loyal Canon users a forum
was started in late 2004 and the secret to unlocking this feature was arrived
at. Today the de facto forum and web site for this topic is Five Easy Steps a.k.a. Damn Printer. The author of this site has created an
assemblage of the best information and instructions on this topic. Included are links to original Canon software and manuals for all models capable of this feature. You can find a link to this site by visiting my eBay Store 
Cd Tray Store or any of my listings for Canon Cd Trays.
You
should first be aware that if you choose to enable the CD Print feature
on your Canon PIXMA printer it would void your Canon Warranty. That is if you make Canon aware of this change.
To avoid this you should not use the Canon "800 number" or "Canon on-line"
help for assistance when using this feature. As stated above the best place for information and assistance is the Five Easy Steps /Damn Printer web site. Additionally you can find information by doing a Google search on (canon cd tray). After reading what is out there you feel your are able to make the
necessary changes to your printers firmware settings go ahead and
purchase these items. For more information on the firmware changes please read my companion ebay guide Canon Cd Print Feature Firmware How to.
Which tray should I buy?
Currently there are five versions of the basic rectangular Canon CD tray. Tray A, B, C, D, E and F as seen in the photo below. You need to confirm which tray design is correct for your model. (see chart at bottom of this page)
These basic trays will allow you to print on standard 120mm (4.75in)
CD's, DVD's and 78mm (3in) CD's. Additionally Canon has a sub tray
which allows you to print on business card style CD's. See round sub tray in the photo below.
Currently the sub tray is in limited supply and Canon has stopped including them with the main tray. If you require one please ask.
I purchased my tray. Am I ready to print CD's?
Not just yet. As stated earlier all models sold in North America do not have this feature enabled (turned on).
After you have installed the software and drivers that came with your
printer you will need to enable the CD print feature. The instructions
for enabling this feature are available at the link Five Easy Steps \ Damn Printer found in all my listings or my eBay Store Cd Tray Store. Make sure you follow the instructions for
your specific model. Once the feature is enabled your printer is now
ready to print to CD's. Notice: Contrary to what you may see elsewhere there is no official Canon CD with the instructions for enabling this feature.
How do I design and print my CD label?
You will need some form of template or a CD label printing program that includes one. Canon has their own program called Canon CD Label Print. If you remember back to when you set up your printer for the first time Canon included various additional software like Easy Photo Print, Easy Web Print etc. Since you purchased your printer in North America Canon did not include the software program CD Label Print on your set up disk. You can download an original copy of the Canon CD Label Print software directly form Canon. You will find a direct link to Canon and this program via the links found within my listings or the "Useful Information" section within eBay Store Cd Tray Store.
Can I use other software to design and print my CD's?
Yes.........BUT..........you must first test the changes made to the printers firmware (enabling / turning on) by using the Canon CD Label print software mentioned above for your first test print. This is the only way you can confirm that the printer is 100% enabled and ready to print Cd's or DVD's. Once you are successful in printing a Cd using the Canon software you can move on to third party programs like Nero, Adobe, etc. Some third party software my require certain tweaks to work properly. So if you start out using them first and are having difficulties you will never know if the tweaks are the problem or if possibly the initial set up was not completed successfully.
Do I need Rollers?
You only need rollers if your printer is one of the models that uses printer tray ( B ). All other models have the rollers pre-installed from the factory.
Models that require rollers:
The additional rollers provide downward pressure on the CD tray so it
comes in contact with the large rubber feed rollers that are already in
the printer. This facilitates the precise movement of the tray into and
out of the printer. They also hold the tray firmly in a horizontal
plane so it cannot accidentally come in contact with the print head.
You can print to CD's without these additional rollers by manually
pushing the tray into the printer at the beginning of the print cycle. You will have to decide whether these additional rollers add value and safety to your printing experience. My suggestion is to keep in mind that Canon intended these models to have rollers for a reason.
Can I print to any CD?
No, the surface of a standard CD will not absorb the ink and it will wipe off. You can only print on a printable CD or DVD that has a special printable coating already on them (sold as printable CD's). Additionally you can also print to a CD or DVD where you have already attached a paper label.
CD Tray to Printer Model Cross Reference:
If you do not see your printer model in this list
then it is not capable of the Cd Print feature.
Tray A= i865, i965, i9900 (these models also require a CDR tray feeder)
Tray B =iP3000, iP4000, iP5000, iP6000, iP6000D, iP8500, MP750, MP760, MP780 (These models require Rollers.)
Tray C = iP4200, iP5200, iP6600D, iP6700D, MP950
Tray D = MP500, MP530, MP800, MP830
Tray E = Pro9000, Pro9500
Tray F = iP4300, iP4500, iP5300, MP 600, MP 610, MP810, MP 960, MP970, MX850
Feel free to check out all my listings for these items
As with all your on-line purchases you should ask as many questions as possible before buying. Feel free to contact me via the ask seller a question link within any of my listings.
Original post: October 2005 / Last Updated: May 2008 annocjr
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