Canon Printer for Inklingo

Inklingo Ordinary Inkjet Printer

Quilters often ask me which Inkjet printer they should buy for Inklingo.

From 2006 until recently, I was confident with this advice:

You can choose a printer based on your primary need and it will be fine for Inklingo.
If Inklingo is your primary need, you can just buy whatever is on sale.

You do NOT need special ink or a special printer, thanks to the way I created Inklingo.

If you already have an Inkjet printer, you are all set. If you only have a laser printer, you can add an inexpensive Inkjet and have two printers connected to your computer at the same time.

By printing a test page, you know which of the pages are safe to print on fabric with YOUR printer. Ordinary Inkjet printers all print “custom page sizes”—at least they did until recently—so we can use fabric efficiently and make better quilts faster.

From the beginning, it was my intention to design Inklingo to be accessible to everyone—no extra equipment, nothing expensive required.

Ordinary fabric, ordinary ink, ordinary Inkjet printer, ordinary freezer paper.

Exceptional ease of use. Exceptional precision.  Exceptional quilts.

Simple. Elegant. Economical. Useful. Love the lines. Quilt more!

 

Canon Pixma MG5420

REVIEW OF CANON PIXMA FOR INKLINGO – FIVE STARS!

I bought a new printer last week and I love it for Inklingo! It looks like this except than mine has a monkey sitting on it.

Canon says ALL of their Inkjet printers and all-in-ones support Custom Page Sizes. Hooray!

Emily at the Caffeinated Quilter wrote a review of a Canon Pixma MX892 in November 2012.

She loves it.

 

Canon Pixma MG5420

Mine is a Canon Pixma MG5420.  (Monkey not included.)

There are several similar Pixma Inkjets and they all look like this.

So far, I love it for Inklingo!

  • The ink washes out easily.
  • It is very easy to set custom page sizes.
  • It is very easy to load paper/fabric.
  • It prints on fabric without jams.
  • It is more compact than my last HP printer.
  • It is quieter than my last printer.
  • It was on sale for only $74 Canadian.

Features of MG5420 that were not important to me:

  • Wireless
    I connect with a USB because I can, so I did not bother to install the wireless feature.
  • It does not include a USB cable, but I already have several extras.
  • It includes fax, scanner, copier which I don’t use, so I have no opinion on those features.

 

Inklingo Test Page

TEST PAGE

Every time you replace an ink cartridge it is necessary to print a test page to see which colors of ink in YOUR printer wash out.

The test prints all 20 colors used by Inklingo at the same time.

All of the details for printing an Inklingo test page are in the Top Ten Tutes (tab above).

This printer passed the test!

 

Inklingo Test Page rinsed

I pressed the same way I would press a quilt block and then rinsed the fabric in the kitchen sink. There is a tiny trace of color 50 left, but it does not show on the other side, so even it would be safe. All of the other 19 colors washed out completely.

NOTE You must test on YOUR printer—even if you are using the same model.
They are always playing around with ink formulas, so it may be different next time.

Almost all Inkjet ink will wash out completely immediately after it is printed, but for a true test, we need to press first because our quilt blocks will be pressed.

 

Canon Print Screen

SET A CUSTOM PAGE SIZE

I will be surprised if you need the step by step instructions under the Support tab on the website.

All you have to do is enter the size you want to print in the Canon print dialog box.

It is easy to insert your custom size of FP/fabric in the tray too.

 

Canon paper tray

The paper tray is shallow but it is easy to pull out and re-insert with one hand.

 

Canon paper tray

Slide the guides to hug your custom page size. This page is 6.75 x 9.75.

One hand on the gray guide (top red arrow) moves both guides together. Perfect.

The print side is down, so the fabric is down and the FP is up.

The tray is not deep, but it is deep enough to hold 15 or 20 sheets of fabric at a time.

It won’t print custom page sizes longer than 14 inches, which I used to be able to do, but it is rarely required and you can always print two shorter sheets instead.

 

http://youtu.be/nikSE7z9UtM&w=504&h=284&rel=0

Click to play the video. (47 seconds)

HOW TO CLEAR A JAM?

I’m beginning to suspect that this printer was designed by a woman. LOL

I printed a few dozen sheets of fabric without a jam.

However, for the purpose of my review, I wanted to see how difficult it would be to clear a jam.

After many failed attempts to create a jam (LOL), I deliberately used a sheet of fabric/FP which had not been ironed on both sides. If there was any unwashed fabric in the house, that might have been a good way to get a jam. (See Print on Fabric Best Tips in the Top Ten Tutes, above).

I had to feed the “bad” sheet twice before it FINALLY jammed, as desired!

To my absolute delight, the jam was easy to clear.

Since the ink had not been pressed yet, I was able to rinse the fabric in the sink to remove every trace of ink, dry the fabric, and re-use it.

The back of the printer opens easily with one hand and there is another piece inside which lifts out easily so you can see deep inside. It was easy to put both pieces back correctly. The top-front lifts up for another view inside.

Everything is accessible. The instructions in the user manual (automatically installed) made it easy to see what to do.

Even though I have only had to clear one jam, I am confident that it won’t be a problem, especially since jams are rare if you follow the tips for printing on fabric in the Top Ten Tutes.

 

Ink for Canon Printer

OTHER COMMENTS

1. I have not used it long enough to know how much ink it uses.

The price of ink is not very important to me because Inklingo uses such a tiny amount of ink, but if you do a lot of non-Inklingo printing or photos, it might be important to you.

There is a display on the printer showing how much ink remains in each cartridge.

2. Allow an hour for setup. All of the steps are simple, but there are a lot of them!

  • Easy to follow pictures
  • Imported the custom paper sizes I created on my last HP Inkjet
    (Monkey says that is a friendly thing to do.)
  • Installed a user manual that I can find just by searching for Canon on the Windows start button

3. There were several similar Canon Inkjet printers in the store and they all looked like this one. I don’t really know what the differences are, but this one was on sale and has several 4 star reviews online. Sold.

One of the other Canon Pixma Inkjets might be better for you if your primary need is something other than Inklingo, but the nice design of the paper trays, software, etc. is the same.

 

Inklingo Print Checklist

Please be sure to check the “Top Ten Tutes” tab (above) for more of our best tips for using Inklingo.

The Print Checklists will keep you organized and make the printing easier.

 

Hewlett Packard

BEWARE OF HEWLETT PACKARD INKJETS – NO CUSTOM SIZES ANYMORE?

Unfortunately, someone at HP made the decision to stop including “user defined” or Custom Page Sizes in the software of most of their printers. The hardware is capable of it, but the software is not. Until recently, they always included the ability to print custom sizes in the software, but something changed.

The ability to set whatever size we want is important for Inklingo, because it allows us to use the fabric efficiently, without waste.

In November 2012 I updated the FAQ under the Support tab on the website with a warning about HP. At that time there were only two all-in-ones with software to support custom page sizes.

From my first computer in 1998, I have always preferred HP printers. Not any more.

When I realized what HP was doing, I told Russ I thought the company was in trouble. It just so happens that their stock is way down. Maybe they have not been listening to the needs of their customers. Maybe we should buy stock in Canon. (No affiliation. Just a happy Canon customer.)

MORE WEDNESDAY TUTES

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See you again soon!

Linda & Monkey

New to Inklingo? Order and download free shapes and start sewing in the next few minutes. Quick Start (Always FREE.) There are triangles, diamonds, and squares in the free collection—great for dozens of different blocks.

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27 thoughts on “Canon Printer for Inklingo”

  1. Hi Sandra,
    I don’t know anyone with that particular Kodak, but I googled it and checked the manual online. It looks PERFECT for Inklingo. You can print custom page sizes and it has settings for different weights of paper, which can be useful. Some quilters like to choose “heavy paper” or “photo paper” settings to the fabric feeds smoothly.
    You might want to ask this question in the Inklingo Yahoo Group. There might be someone there with the same model. On the other hand, the easiest way to test is to start printing. 🙂
    http://www.inklingo.com/section/inklingo-welcome/92
    and
    http://www.inklingo.com/blog/top-ten-tutes/
    Let us know how you do, okay?
    Hugs, Linda & Monkey in Canada

    Reply
  2. I own a Kodak ESP 9, all in one , inkjet printer. I have not yet tries to print out any of the dezines I have. I am wondering if anyone else has, or is, using this machine to print out their quilt pieces. If so, how do you like the way it performs? Sandy Fidler, Alabama

    Reply
  3. I just got a canon printer, too. The one I got is an mg6220, I chose it
    because it still has a rear feed tray, and the stuff (jelly roll strip and charm squares, firmly pressed to freezer paper) can go right through without making that u turn from the bottom tray. In the custom size dept the most narrow paper you can feed is 2.17″, I cut some 2.75
    strips and centered my jelly roll scrap in the center to get .75 hexies from cd3.

    Reply
  4. Linda, you are always busier that a one armed monkey…someone else’s monkey mind you…
    I think I must be the last person on earth that is app-less.
    I’d love my first app to be one of yours.
    You can probably think of a way for it to have practical uses but I’d be happy with a loop of all the beautiful blocks you’ve made to enhance the Inklingo experience.

    All the best, Sharyn in Kalama

    Reply
  5. Linda,
    I use one of these Canon printers as well. I’ve always been afraid to use the inner tray for fabric. I worry the freezer paper will separate from the fabric then jam. I, therefore, always use the rear tray. This allows me to print long sheets (15 inches is the longest I’ve done so far).

    Reply
  6. I met with an Epson regional sales manager (husband of an associate). He was proud that Epson was improving their ink to be more “archival and permanent”. I immediately told him that was not good for quilters. He was befuddled until I told him what we use it for. I realize we represent only a small market share but watch out ~ we’re on the loose!
    I didn’t know you could import your custom settings though. I will need to look into that when I replace my printer which is very soon. Bye bye trusty HP. Nice review Linda and thank you very much.

    Reply
  7. Thank you for writing this review Linda 🙂 I bought a Canon MG3100 series printer when my Lexmark died. I had problems to start, but slowly I’m getting the hang. Like Kirsten I discovered I needed to change the paper type. I use the Matt photo setting. Your printer sounds a lot better than mine. I love the pull out tray on yours! I have a job to load the smaller custom size into my printer and I’ve only dared do one sheet at a time. My first try jammed and I had a job un-jamming it. I had to tip the printer on it’s side to get at the bit to open to remove jammed FP/fabric. But I’m hoping as I get ‘to know’ it things will improve.
    Thank you for pointing me to the manual 😉 I’ve had a good look around on it. I searched here for your printer but it seems the numbers are different here.

    Reply
  8. We bought the same type just a couple of months ago and it’s perfect for Inklingo.I haven’t had any problems with it at all.I love it.

    Reply
  9. Thanks for the review. I have been struggling with an Epson 645 Workforce printer and have many jams with Inklingo. Otherwise I have liked the printer. I bought it because it could scan a book or magazine.

    Reply
  10. I also have a Canon Pixma – mine is MG6150 and it is wonderful. But I have learned – by doing and making errors – that I need to tell it to use a little thicker paper, when I want to print on fabric on freezerpaper, e.g. ‘photo paper plus semi gloss’, else I risc to make paperjam. Anyone had that problem too?

    Reply
  11. It looks like it’s the perfect Inklingo printer! My printer ink doesn’t wash out, even before it’s been ironed (I have an Epson and it uses the ‘fox’ ink) so I have to be really, really careful when Inklingo printing. It’s the only problem I have with the printer and if I’d known about it beforehand then I’d have bought a different one. Unfortunately the manufacturers don’t put ‘Our ink washes out of fabric after it’s been ironed’ on the side of boxes. I think they should! Or they could have an ‘Inklingo friendly’ logo on them ;o)

    Enjoy printing with your new printer – Monkey looks happy with it!

    Reply
  12. I have one of these Cannon printers and it works a treat when I print my Inklingo shapes. It is rare for me to get a jam but I found it easy to clear the jam if one does. Normally if it jams it my fault anyway (use the freezer paper too many times).

    Reply
  13. Funny way back in the day we started with a Canon printer and it was almost always the very best choice for the price however when we replaced our very old Canon with a new one we went with Epson and it was great for everything except for InkLingo ink removal so….I bought a cheap-o HP and the ink was just as stubborn but I decided to keep it anyway as it was working for printing well and hardly ever jams.
    I will have to keep this printer in mind when inevitably we will need to replace the Epson.
    Bye the way the only reason we replaced that old Canon was because you couldn’t get the ink any more except from very expensive sellers, I am nothing but very Scots with my $$$! LOL

    Reply
  14. Thank you for writing this review! It comes very timely as my HP C4750 is on it’s last leg, eating ink excessively, and generally being problematic. I have always preferred HP printers, but not anymore. The last couple have not been worth the money… we won’t even bring up the ink costs, which are huge!
    Thanks again. I will check on the Canons. 😉

    Reply
  15. I was so glad to read this review! I’ve always been an HP customer but my last one won’t support custom sizes except on a Mac, which is fine for me as I have a Mac, and I certainly won’t be replacing it with an HP printer. Between your review and Emily’s, I feel quite confident that a Canon printer is the way to go when this HP has had it.

    Reply

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