Canon Pixma printers are capable of producing excellent photo output —
but the default settings most people print with are nowhere near
optimized for photos. The difference between a disappointing printout
and a genuinely impressive photo print almost always comes down to
three things: paper selection, media type settings in the driver, and
color management. This guide covers all three alongside every other
factor that affects photo print quality on Canon Pixma printers.
but the default settings most people print with are nowhere near
optimized for photos. The difference between a disappointing printout
and a genuinely impressive photo print almost always comes down to
three things: paper selection, media type settings in the driver, and
color management. This guide covers all three alongside every other
factor that affects photo print quality on Canon Pixma printers.
Paper Selection — The Most Important Variable
The paper you load has more impact on photo print quality than any
setting in the driver. Canon Pixma printers are calibrated for Canon's
own photo paper line and produce their best output on it. Third-party
photo papers work but require manual color profile adjustments to
compensate for different coating and absorption characteristics.
setting in the driver. Canon Pixma printers are calibrated for Canon's
own photo paper line and produce their best output on it. Third-party
photo papers work but require manual color profile adjustments to
compensate for different coating and absorption characteristics.
Canon Photo Paper Plus Glossy II is the recommended paper for
standard photo printing. It produces vivid colors, sharp detail, and
a professional finish. The coating is designed to work specifically
with Canon's dye-based ink chemistry and produces accurate color
reproduction without additional calibration.
standard photo printing. It produces vivid colors, sharp detail, and
a professional finish. The coating is designed to work specifically
with Canon's dye-based ink chemistry and produces accurate color
reproduction without additional calibration.
Canon Matte Photo Paper is the correct choice for photos that will
be handled frequently — framed behind glass, added to scrapbooks,
or mailed. Matte paper resists fingerprints and does not produce
glare under lighting, making photos easier to view in various
conditions. The finish appears softer than glossy but detail
reproduction is comparable.
be handled frequently — framed behind glass, added to scrapbooks,
or mailed. Matte paper resists fingerprints and does not produce
glare under lighting, making photos easier to view in various
conditions. The finish appears softer than glossy but detail
reproduction is comparable.
Canon Photo Paper Pro Platinum is the premium option for archival
prints and professional-quality output. It produces the widest color
gamut of Canon's photo paper range and is rated for significantly
longer fade resistance than standard glossy paper.
prints and professional-quality output. It produces the widest color
gamut of Canon's photo paper range and is rated for significantly
longer fade resistance than standard glossy paper.
Never use plain office paper for photo printing. Plain paper absorbs
ink before it can dry in place, causing colors to spread and bleed
at the edges of color transitions. The result is blurry, muted photos
regardless of how high the print quality setting is.
ink before it can dry in place, causing colors to spread and bleed
at the edges of color transitions. The result is blurry, muted photos
regardless of how high the print quality setting is.
Media Type Setting — Must Match Your Paper
The single most common cause of disappointing Canon photo prints is
a mismatch between the paper loaded and the media type selected in
the driver. Canon printers adjust ink volume, drying time between
passes, and print head speed based on the media type setting. When
these don't match, the printer applies the wrong amount of ink for
the paper's absorption capacity.
a mismatch between the paper loaded and the media type selected in
the driver. Canon printers adjust ink volume, drying time between
passes, and print head speed based on the media type setting. When
these don't match, the printer applies the wrong amount of ink for
the paper's absorption capacity.
To set the correct media type: open your print dialog from any
application → click Properties or Preferences → find the Media Type
dropdown → select the option that exactly matches your paper.
application → click Properties or Preferences → find the Media Type
dropdown → select the option that exactly matches your paper.
The mappings are:
Canon Photo Paper Plus Glossy II → select Photo Paper Plus Glossy II
Canon Matte Photo Paper → select Matte Photo Paper
Canon Photo Paper Pro Platinum → select Photo Paper Pro Platinum
Standard glossy photo paper from other brands → select Photo Paper Plus Glossy or Photo Paper Glossy
Canon Photo Paper Plus Glossy II → select Photo Paper Plus Glossy II
Canon Matte Photo Paper → select Matte Photo Paper
Canon Photo Paper Pro Platinum → select Photo Paper Pro Platinum
Standard glossy photo paper from other brands → select Photo Paper Plus Glossy or Photo Paper Glossy
If you are unsure which setting matches your paper, Canon's packaging
includes the recommended media type setting on the back panel.
includes the recommended media type setting on the back panel.
Print Quality Setting for Photos
For photo printing always select High or Best quality. Unlike document
printing where Standard quality is adequate, photos printed at Standard
quality show visible banding — horizontal lines across gradient areas
like skies and skin tones — that is especially noticeable on glossy
paper at close viewing distance.
printing where Standard quality is adequate, photos printed at Standard
quality show visible banding — horizontal lines across gradient areas
like skies and skin tones — that is especially noticeable on glossy
paper at close viewing distance.
Best quality makes multiple passes over each area of the page, laying
down precise ink amounts with drying time between passes. This produces
smooth gradients, accurate color transitions, and maximum detail
retention. Print speed drops significantly at Best quality but the
improvement in output is genuine and visible.
down precise ink amounts with drying time between passes. This produces
smooth gradients, accurate color transitions, and maximum detail
retention. Print speed drops significantly at Best quality but the
improvement in output is genuine and visible.
Resolution — What DPI Setting to Use
300 DPI is the standard resolution for photo printing. It matches the
maximum detail the human eye can distinguish at normal viewing distance
for standard photo sizes up to 8x10 inches. Printing at higher DPI
does not improve perceived quality at normal viewing distance but
significantly increases file processing time and can slow the printer.
maximum detail the human eye can distinguish at normal viewing distance
for standard photo sizes up to 8x10 inches. Printing at higher DPI
does not improve perceived quality at normal viewing distance but
significantly increases file processing time and can slow the printer.
For large format prints — anything above 8x10 inches — 300 DPI
remains appropriate. The viewing distance for large prints is
typically greater, meaning lower resolution is actually sufficient,
but 300 DPI as a standard setting covers all sizes correctly.
remains appropriate. The viewing distance for large prints is
typically greater, meaning lower resolution is actually sufficient,
but 300 DPI as a standard setting covers all sizes correctly.
For photos printed at wallet size or smaller, 300 DPI sometimes
produces more detail than the small print area can display. 200 DPI
is acceptable for very small prints without visible quality loss.
produces more detail than the small print area can display. 200 DPI
is acceptable for very small prints without visible quality loss.
Color Management — Avoiding Washed Out or Oversaturated Colors
Color management is the most technical aspect of photo printing and
the area where most Canon Pixma users have the least knowledge. The
result is either washed out photos that look pale compared to the
screen or oversaturated prints where colors look garish and unnatural.
the area where most Canon Pixma users have the least knowledge. The
result is either washed out photos that look pale compared to the
screen or oversaturated prints where colors look garish and unnatural.
The core issue is that screens and printers represent color
differently. Screens emit light using RGB color and can display colors
that ink physically cannot reproduce. Printers use CMYK ink and
produce colors by absorbing light rather than emitting it. Every photo
that looks vivid on screen undergoes some color shift when printed —
the goal is to minimize that shift.
differently. Screens emit light using RGB color and can display colors
that ink physically cannot reproduce. Printers use CMYK ink and
produce colors by absorbing light rather than emitting it. Every photo
that looks vivid on screen undergoes some color shift when printed —
the goal is to minimize that shift.
The simplest approach for Canon Pixma users is to let the Canon driver
manage color rather than the application. In the print dialog under
Color Settings or Color Management select Canon Color Matching or
Vivid Photo. This applies Canon's built-in color profiles for your
specific printer model and paper combination, which are more accurate
than generic color management.
manage color rather than the application. In the print dialog under
Color Settings or Color Management select Canon Color Matching or
Vivid Photo. This applies Canon's built-in color profiles for your
specific printer model and paper combination, which are more accurate
than generic color management.
Avoid using both application color management and driver color
management simultaneously. When both are active they apply
corrections on top of each other, producing heavily oversaturated
or color-shifted output. Choose one or the other — driver management
is the simpler choice for home users.
management simultaneously. When both are active they apply
corrections on top of each other, producing heavily oversaturated
or color-shifted output. Choose one or the other — driver management
is the simpler choice for home users.
Printer and Photo Preparation
Photos print darker than they appear on screen for most users. Monitor
screens are significantly brighter than printed output — they emit
light while prints reflect it. A photo that looks correctly exposed
on screen typically prints 15 to 25 percent darker.
screens are significantly brighter than printed output — they emit
light while prints reflect it. A photo that looks correctly exposed
on screen typically prints 15 to 25 percent darker.
The practical adjustment: before printing, increase brightness by
10 to 20 percent in your image editor and reduce contrast slightly.
Print a test on plain paper first to check the exposure before
committing to photo paper. When the test print on plain paper looks
slightly too light it will usually look correct on glossy photo paper.
10 to 20 percent in your image editor and reduce contrast slightly.
Print a test on plain paper first to check the exposure before
committing to photo paper. When the test print on plain paper looks
slightly too light it will usually look correct on glossy photo paper.
Sharpening settings in photo editing software affect print output
differently than screen viewing. A small amount of sharpening —
unsharp mask at 50 percent strength and 1 pixel radius — improves
edge definition in printed photos without making the image look
artificially processed on screen. Apply sharpening as the last
adjustment before printing rather than saving it into the file.
differently than screen viewing. A small amount of sharpening —
unsharp mask at 50 percent strength and 1 pixel radius — improves
edge definition in printed photos without making the image look
artificially processed on screen. Apply sharpening as the last
adjustment before printing rather than saving it into the file.
Loading Photo Paper Correctly
Load photo paper into the rear tray with the printable side facing
toward you — the glossy or bright white side faces away from the
printer body. Loading photo paper in the wrong orientation produces
prints on the non-coated backing side, resulting in ink that sits on
the surface, smears when touched, and appears dull.
toward you — the glossy or bright white side faces away from the
printer body. Loading photo paper in the wrong orientation produces
prints on the non-coated backing side, resulting in ink that sits on
the surface, smears when touched, and appears dull.
Load one sheet at a time for critical prints. Multi-sheet feeding of
photo paper occasionally results in slight skewing on the second and
subsequent sheets due to the heavier paper weight. For batches of
the same size and paper type, loading up to five sheets at once is
generally reliable on current Canon Pixma models.
photo paper occasionally results in slight skewing on the second and
subsequent sheets due to the heavier paper weight. For batches of
the same size and paper type, loading up to five sheets at once is
generally reliable on current Canon Pixma models.
Allow printed photos to dry completely before stacking. Canon's dye
ink requires several minutes to fully cure on glossy paper. Stacking
photos immediately after printing causes the ink surface of one sheet
to transfer to the back of the sheet above — producing smears and
fingerprint-like marks that are not reversible.
ink requires several minutes to fully cure on glossy paper. Stacking
photos immediately after printing causes the ink surface of one sheet
to transfer to the back of the sheet above — producing smears and
fingerprint-like marks that are not reversible.
Nozzle Check Before Important Photo Jobs
Run a nozzle check before printing photos you care about. Go to
Settings → Maintenance → Nozzle Check on the printer panel. A
nozzle check uses a small amount of ink and takes 30 seconds.
If the pattern shows any missing lines or gaps in any color row,
run one print head cleaning cycle before your photo job. A clogged
nozzle produces visible color banding in photo gradients — most
noticeable in skies, skin tones, and smooth backgrounds.
Settings → Maintenance → Nozzle Check on the printer panel. A
nozzle check uses a small amount of ink and takes 30 seconds.
If the pattern shows any missing lines or gaps in any color row,
run one print head cleaning cycle before your photo job. A clogged
nozzle produces visible color banding in photo gradients — most
noticeable in skies, skin tones, and smooth backgrounds.
Getting Setup Right Before Photo Printing
Print quality problems that persist regardless of paper and settings
are often rooted in an incomplete driver installation rather than the
printer hardware. A driver that was installed incorrectly or on top
of a previous partial installation sometimes communicates incorrect
color commands to the printer, producing color casts or banding that
looks like a hardware problem. For a complete Canon printer setup
walkthrough that ensures the driver and print settings are correctly
configured from the start, this guide at PrinterSolved covers the
full installation process for US and Canada users on Windows and Mac.
are often rooted in an incomplete driver installation rather than the
printer hardware. A driver that was installed incorrectly or on top
of a previous partial installation sometimes communicates incorrect
color commands to the printer, producing color casts or banding that
looks like a hardware problem. For a complete Canon printer setup
walkthrough that ensures the driver and print settings are correctly
configured from the start, this guide at PrinterSolved covers the
full installation process for US and Canada users on Windows and Mac.
Quick Reference — Photo Print Settings
Paper Type → Canon Photo Paper Plus Glossy II
Media Type Setting → Photo Paper Plus Glossy II
Print Quality → Best or High
Resolution → 300 DPI
Color Management → Canon Color Matching or Vivid Photo (driver managed)
Paper Loading → Glossy side facing user in rear tray
Pre-print check → Nozzle Check from Maintenance menu
Brightness adjustment → Increase 10-20% before printing if prints look dark
Media Type Setting → Photo Paper Plus Glossy II
Print Quality → Best or High
Resolution → 300 DPI
Color Management → Canon Color Matching or Vivid Photo (driver managed)
Paper Loading → Glossy side facing user in rear tray
Pre-print check → Nozzle Check from Maintenance menu
Brightness adjustment → Increase 10-20% before printing if prints look dark
Canon Pixma Models With Strong Photo Output
Most Canon Pixma models produce good photo output when settings are
configured correctly. The TS series including the TS3522, TS6320,
and TS9120 all handle photo printing well within their price range.
The TS9120 and TS8320 include additional ink tanks compared to
entry-level models, producing wider color gamut and more accurate
skin tone reproduction. The Canon PIXMA PRO series is designed
specifically for professional photo output and uses eight-color ink
systems that significantly expand the printable color range compared
to standard four-color Pixma models.
configured correctly. The TS series including the TS3522, TS6320,
and TS9120 all handle photo printing well within their price range.
The TS9120 and TS8320 include additional ink tanks compared to
entry-level models, producing wider color gamut and more accurate
skin tone reproduction. The Canon PIXMA PRO series is designed
specifically for professional photo output and uses eight-color ink
systems that significantly expand the printable color range compared
to standard four-color Pixma models.
For US and Canada users who need assistance setting up a Canon Pixma
printer for the first time or optimizing print quality settings after
installation, the complete ij start cannon setup walkthrough at
PrinterSolved covers all current Canon Pixma models with step-by-step
guidance for Windows and Mac.
printer for the first time or optimizing print quality settings after
installation, the complete ij start cannon setup walkthrough at
PrinterSolved covers all current Canon Pixma models with step-by-step
guidance for Windows and Mac.
This guide covers Canon Pixma inkjet printers sold in the United
States and Canada. Photo output quality varies between specific
models and paper types.
States and Canada. Photo output quality varies between specific
models and paper types.
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