Anyone using a Canon printer...

[Synomenon]

I've had my Canon MX7600 multi-function inkjet since December '08. One of the features of this unit is the clear ink that the unit covers the paper with to make text look sharper like a laser printer's text.

I've been using this unit for 7 months now and the little utility that pops up during printing that shows ink levels shows that all of the ink tanks except for the clear ink (PGI-9 clear) are almost empty. The clear ink still shows as full.

Anyone else own one of these printers? Is there a setting I need to change for it to use the clear ink?

I've checked the manual and quick start guides and don't see anything about this.

 

[mpilchfamily]

What are your print settings at. If its not set to the highest quality then it probably won't use the clear ink. Guess it would be better to call it a gloss rather then an ink. I'm sure its used more in photos then in text prints.

 

[Synomenon]

dp

 

[Synomenon]

I always print on highest quality.

The packaging, Canon site and manual all say that the clear ink is used to sharpen text to make the text look like it was printed from a laser printer.

There's no mention of the clear ink bieing used to enhance pictures / photos / images.

 

[13Gigatons]

The clear ink is supposed to only be used on plain paper when fed from the cassette.

 

[Synomenon]

Yes. I use plain paper and when you choose plain paper in the printer properties, it automatically switches to the cassette. If you choose matte or glossy photo paper, it automatically switches to the rear tray.

 

[13Gigatons]

Originally posted by: IsLNdbOi
Yes. I use plain paper and when you choose plain paper in the printer properties, it automatically switches to the cassette. If you choose matte or glossy photo paper, it automatically switches to the rear tray.

The clear coat cartridge is larger then the other carts. Also it only actually covers the area of the paper that letters will be printed on not the whole page so it's used sparingly.

The clear cart is suppose to last for 1600 pages.

 

[Synomenon]

Ok, so I've used up most, if not all of the color cartridges. I had the ink leveling feature on. The ink level monitor shows all the ink tanks pretty much empty. The clear cartridge shows 100% full. I'm going to call Canon and ask them about this.

This is what the MX7600's guide says about the clear ink:

"
The clear ink is used only when printing on plain paper. When printing on standard plain paper, which readily absorbs ink, printed text or images may be blurred or colors may run together. By coating the surface of plain paper with clear ink before actual printing begins, the clear ink coating prevents absorption of other inks to enhance colors and prevent smudging when printing on both sides of the paper.

In addition, paper curling, which often occurs when printing on plain paper, is reduced.

Note that, since plain paper is coated with clear ink after it is printed out, any pencil marks made in the margin of the paper may not come off easily with use of an eraser.
"

 

[corkyg]

That begs the question - what would be the cheaper and/or most efficient choice:

1. The Clear coat ink oin plain paper

2. high quality inkjet paper

 

[Synomenon]

I don't have space for two printers and my work pays for all of my ink.