Modify Canon Pixma Printer to Print on CDs / DVDs

This tutorial describes how to use your Canon Pixma IPxxxx printer to print directly on printable CDs/DVDs. European models have this feature already enabled but unfortunately for us Americans it has been disabled due to Canon not wanting to pay for the licensing to use the technology in North America. Notice I said "disabled." Because the printers still have the feature all we need to do is enable it... Oh yeah, and obtain the Disk tray that obviously didn't come standard to us, as they did in Europe.

This tutorial describes how to make a cd tray for little or no money. It is pictured below. Or you could buy one on ebay for about $20.

Credit:
The initial idea was found on StevesForums. Most of the credit is theirs. The reason I have this tutorial is to give what I have learned in a straight-forward how-to. The original StevesForums post is now 77+ pages, so weeding through it to find what works and what doesn't work could possibly take 4-5 years... or more.

Although all of my testing is done on my Canon Pixma IP5000 this tutorial applies to several Canon printers with CD/DVD printing abilities. Where applicable I will tell you where the models differ.

What you'll need:
A Canon Pixma Printer that has the ability to print on disks. You can tell because there is a fold down plate on the front of the printer (image 0B).
A flat head screw driver
About 5 minutes of time (10 minutes if you read all my dumb comments).

Step 1: Enable the Printer- Remove the cover.

First we must enable to printer to accept the CD-tray. Again, my printer is the ip5000 so the pictures may be a little different.

The steps involved are as follows:

1. Removing the front flate covering the CD-tray opening (pictured).
2. Set the printer's BIOS to non-US (next step).

Comments

[mentisworks]

So I have a Pixma MP970 and had a really hard time finding any information for my model for changing the region. Since it's a few years old at this point, all the links in forum threads and such are dead. Fortunately, I was able to figure it out by trial and error! Here is the procedure I found works for the MP970...

Enter Service Mode: Hold down RESUME (Red Triangle pointed down) then push and hold down POWER. Wait about 5 seconds before releasing RESUME but continuing to hold POWER. While still holding POWER press RESUME once. You will notice the power light turn orange. Press RESUME again so the light turns green. Finally release POWER. The lcd screen will change to display "Service Mode."

Changing Region: Press RESUME once, then press POWER once, followed by pressing RESUME this many times for the following options...

1 = Print Diagnostic Sheet
2 = Region set to Korea
3 = Region set to USA
4 = Region set to Europe
5 = Region set to Australia

Press POWER once to confirm your choice. Press POWER again to shut down printer and exit Service Mode. I'm sure there are more options but I didn't need to access any others and did not test them.

Thanks for posting this guide and getting me far enough in the process to figure out the rest!

[frost_online]

Is there any HP printer which do such kind of CD printing ? I often write cds for data backup and have to label them, Any suggestions ?
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[ellacushing]

Labeling is a very important part of the products similarly CD labeling is also perform a major role for customer's attraction.

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[jerry.p009]

Yes its really nice article and instructions are good for new user. Glad to read this post
Post by
dell lto ultrium tape.

[djr6789]

dude i have the same printer!  i had no idea what that little tray was for until now ! thanks man

[Closer]

I have an iP5000. I could not get a test page to print until I discovered on another site that you must have paper loaded in the top not (only) the bottom.

Also step b. above is slightly different:
II. Hold down RESUME (Triangle pointed down) and hold down POWER and wait 5 seconds or so.

Release RESUME but Continue to hold POWER. Double click RESUME. then Release POWER.

Note: it says DOUBLE CLICK. This what worked for me.

This information was on a site called Damm Printer
http://damnprinter.com/105/the-five-easy-steps.html

Can you print onto a CD with a paper label? Or does it have to be a printable CD?

[buhdieboy]

if inkjet printer ? is ink colorfast like water resistant ?

[Drywater]

It is if printed on Taiyo Yuden Watersheild Disks. These are not only splash resistant (and fingerprint resistant) but also have a very smooth glossy finish.

I've tried some Verbatims with very poor results.

[sn00per]

Hi there! Great instructable! I'd like to know: would this work with an ip3500? I wouldn't want to buy one if the mod won't work...

[Drywater]

Hi, I'm not sure if it will work or not. I looked at canon's European website for the drivers and found only the printer driver but not the cd-printer software. However a look at google images makes it look like it has the front tray which folds down to show the cd tray. I'm not sure so I would say probably not. I am sure it would be easy to find if it is able to do so.

[bigbrett]

I bought an ip3000 a couple of years ago brand new from PC world uk and the cd printing was all open and unlocked they actually marketed it on the printer box that it was able to print cd/dvd's

[CaptainBalsa]

Stephen, Very interesting Instructable, however in step 2 you stated, "Click here if you have an MP750/MP760/MP780". Unfortunately there is no link in this location . . . can you update the link please. By any chance do you or anyone else know if a Canon MP160 can print on CD's?

[Drywater]

Hi,
Here is a great source for more instructions. I will update the instructable.

http://www.cd-trays.com/pages/how_to_enable.html

[royalestel]

Hey good instructable. Narrow scope, but good job anyway. Thanks for posting.