How Do I Scan on a Canon Printer?

Posted by Chloe Harter , 31 Oct, 2024
0 comments

Scanning documents with a Canon printer is a great way to make it easier for us to share information or organize it on our devices. However, if you are not familiar with its scanning operation, it may be a little difficult. So how do I scan on a Canon printer? In this blog, you will learn how to scan documents using your Canon printer, whether it is through a computer, mobile phone or email.

Preparation Before Scanning

Before you start scanning, make sure your printer and device are successfully connected and can perform any operation such as printing, copying, scanning, etc. Then, install the relevant scanning software to set up your printer for scanning.

Check the Connectivity of the Printer:

Scanning documents requires a successful connection between the printer and your device. Therefore, make sure your Canon printer is properly connected to your network or device. If you use wireless scanning, make sure your printer and device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Install the Scanning Software:

Canon printers usually come with driver software, such as IJ Scan Utility or MF Scan Utility, depending on the printer type.

Go to Canon Support, search for your printer model, and download the above driver with the keyword “scan”. Then install it on your computer, phone or tablet to manage and start scan jobs.

Once everything is ready, you can proceed to the next step which is to scan documents from your Canon printer to your device.

How to Scan Documents from Canon Printer to Computer Wirelessly

Wireless scanning is a convenient option, especially if your printer and computer are in different rooms. You can scan from a computer using the software mentioned above, whether it is a laser or inkjet printer.

Canon Scanning Software Options

Canon offers several different scanning software options, depending on your printer type and printing needs.

1. Canon IJ Scan Utility:

This software is commonly used for Canon inkjet printers, especially the PIXMA series. It is available for Windows and macOS and offers various scanning options such as automatic scanning, document scanning, photo scanning, and custom settings.

2. Canon MF Scan Utility:

It is mainly used for Canon laser printers of the imageCLASS and i-SENSYS series. This utility also supports Windows and macOS. You can use its customized options to scan documents, photos, etc.

3. TWAIN-Compatible Software:

The TWAIN driver allows users to scan directly from other applications such as Adobe Acrobat or Photoshop. It is compatible with most Canon printers, allowing you to scan from within these programs.

How to Scan from My Canon Printer to Windows 10

Open MF Scan Utility: Launch the Canon MF Scan Utility on your computer.

Select Your Scan Settings:

Choose your scan type (e.g., “Document,” “Photo”).
Adjust settings like resolution, color, and file format.
Set the Save Location if you want the scan to save to a specific folder.

Start the Scan: Click Scan in the MF Scan Utility. The scanned file will be saved in the location you specified.

Additionally, many Canon laser printers with a touchscreen or control panel have a scan button or menu that allows scanning directly from the printer.

Select Scan Mode: On the printer’s control panel, press the Scan button, or navigate to the Scan option in the menu.

Choose the Destination: Select the destination where you want to send the scan, such as a Computer (if connected). For wireless scanning to a computer, the computer name displayed should match the name of your device.

Adjust Scan Settings: Adjust the color, resolution, and file format as needed.

Start Scanning: Press Start or OK to initiate the scan. The scanned document will be saved to the chosen location (e.g., the computer’s “Documents” folder).

How to Scan a Document on a Canon Printer to My Mac

Scanning to a Mac is straightforward, especially with macOS’s built-in utilities that make the scanning process user-friendly. Here’s how to scan a document from your Canon printer to a Mac:

Open Image Capture: The Image Capture application is macOS’s default tool for scanning. Open it by navigating to the Applications folder or searching via Spotlight.
Select Your Canon Printer: In Image Capture, you’ll see a list of connected devices on the left panel. Select your Canon printer to access its scanning options.
Adjust Scan Settings: Set up your scan by choosing the document type, color mode, resolution, and preferred save location. You can also select the area you want to scan by adjusting the borders.
Place the Document: Just like with Windows, open your Canon printer’s scanner lid, place the document face-down, and align it according to the guide markers.
Scan and Save: Click “Scan” to start the process. Once completed, the scanned document will be saved to your specified folder on the Mac, ready for you to use.

You can also scan documents or pictures to your Mac with the help of macOS’ built-in utilities, which is also convenient.

Open Image Capture: The Image Capture application is macOS’s default tool for scanning. Open it by navigating to the Applications folder or searching via Spotlight.
Select Your Canon Printer: In Image Capture, you’ll see a list of connected devices on the left panel. Select your Canon printer to access its scanning options.
Adjust Scan Settings: Set up your scan by choosing the document type, color mode, resolution, and preferred save location. You can also select the area you want to scan by adjusting the borders.
Place the Document: Just like with Windows, open your Canon printer’s scanner lid, place the document face-down, and align it according to the guide markers.
Scan and Save: Click “Scan” to start the process. Once completed, the scanned document will be saved to your specified folder on the Mac, ready for you to use.

How to Scan from Canon Printer to Phone

With our phones often serving as our main devices, being able to scan documents directly to them can be a major timesaver. Canon has made this possible for both iPhone and Android users.

For iPhone

Scanning to an iPhone is easy with the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app, which can be downloaded from the App Store. Follow these steps:

Download the Canon PRINT App: Install the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app on your iPhone.
Connect to the Printer: Ensure your iPhone and Canon printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Open the app and select your printer from the list of available devices.
Select the Scan Option: In the app, tap on the “Scan” option. Adjust any settings, such as resolution or color mode, as needed.
Start the Scan: Place your document on the scanner bed and press “Scan” on the app. The document will be scanned and automatically saved on your phone. You can then choose to save it as a PDF or image and share it via email or cloud storage.

For Android Phone

Android users can follow similar steps to scan with their Canon printer using the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app, which is available on the Google Play Store:

Install the Canon PRINT App: Download and install the app on your Android device.
Connect Your Printer: Make sure both your Android device and printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Initiate the Scan: Open the app, select your Canon printer, and tap on “Scan.” Place the document on the printer’s scanner and adjust any settings if necessary.
Save the File: After the scan completes, the document will be saved on your Android device. You can then rename, share, or move the file as desired.

With scanning on mobile covered, let’s move on to specific instructions for Canon PIXMA models, which are among the most popular in Canon’s lineup.

How Do I Scan with a Canon PIXMA?

Canon PIXMA printers are known for their user-friendly design and easy scanning options. Here’s a guide to locating the scan button and using it for scanning documents.

Where Is the Scan Button on Canon PIXMA?

On most Canon PIXMA models, you’ll find the scan button on the control panel, usually marked with an icon that looks like a scanner or the word “Scan.” To scan using this button:

Prepare the Document: Open the scanner lid, place the document face-down, and align it as per the guidelines.
Press the Scan Button: After connecting your Canon PIXMA to your computer or mobile device, press the “Scan” button on the printer. The printer will either start scanning automatically or prompt you to confirm the settings on your connected device.
Access the File: Once the scan is complete, the file will be saved on the connected device, and you can open, edit, or share it from there.

The next section will cover scanning documents from a Canon printer directly to an email, which is convenient for work or personal correspondence.

How to Scan a Document from Canon Printer to Email

Scanning directly to email can be highly efficient when you want to share documents quickly. Here’s how to set it up and use the feature on a Canon printer.

Open Canon’s Scan Utility: On your computer, open Canon’s scan software (either IJ Scan Utility or Canon PRINT app) and select the email option under scan settings.
Select Scan to Email: Choose “Scan to Email” as the output method. You may need to configure your email settings in the software initially, such as entering your email address and other required information.
Adjust the Settings: Modify settings like color, resolution, and document type according to your needs.
Start the Scan: Place the document on the scanner and initiate the scan. Once complete, the document will open in your default email client as an attachment, ready for you to address and send.

Wrap It Up

Scanning with a Canon printer opens up endless possibilities for document management. Whether you’re transferring files to your computer, scanning directly to your phone, or emailing important documents, Canon printers make it easy to stay organized and efficient.