Geoffrey Gilpin

Q: Do you need to download printer drivers?

The reason I ask is that I'm getting poor quality results from my Canon Pixma MG7550 printer. (Prints are dark with poor contrast.) The printer manual shows a Color Options panel in the Print Dialogue which I haven't got. Apple advises that there is no need to download drivers but I wondered if the reason I'm not seeing the Color Options panel is because Apple's driver does not have the full set of options.

 

I am running 10.11.5 on a MBP and using Affinity Photo as the photo editor.

 

Thanks.

Posted on Jun 23, 2016 3:17 AM

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Q: Do you need to download printer drivers?

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  • by FatMac>MacPro,

    FatMac>MacPro FatMac>MacPro Jun 23, 2016 10:46 AM in response to Geoffrey Gilpin
    Level 5 (4,805 points)
    Jun 23, 2016 10:46 AM in response to Geoffrey Gilpin

    Try installing Canon's drivers for your printer.

  • by Geoffrey Gilpin,

    Geoffrey Gilpin Geoffrey Gilpin Jun 23, 2016 2:53 PM in response to FatMac>MacPro
    Level 1 (88 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 23, 2016 2:53 PM in response to FatMac>MacPro

    So if Apple's printer drivers are "incomplete" the statement that it isn't necessary to separately install drivers is wrong?

     

    Thanks.

  • by FatMac>MacPro,Solvedanswer

    FatMac>MacPro FatMac>MacPro Jun 23, 2016 3:22 PM in response to Geoffrey Gilpin
    Level 5 (4,805 points)
    Jun 23, 2016 3:22 PM in response to Geoffrey Gilpin

    Geoffrey Gilpin wrote:

     

    So if Apple's printer drivers are "incomplete" the statement that it isn't necessary to separately install drivers is wrong?

     

    Thanks.

    Since your printer does print using Apple's drivers, it's likely that most users are satisfied and pleased with the "plug and play" experience, so additional drivers aren't necessary (essential) to get results. At the same time, Canon offers a solution to meet the higher expectations of your quality concerns by using their own drivers. I'm surprised that Canon didn't include some media with those drivers in the box or at least links to their software support website.

  • by Rysz,

    Rysz Rysz Jun 23, 2016 4:36 PM in response to Geoffrey Gilpin
    Level 7 (20,157 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 23, 2016 4:36 PM in response to Geoffrey Gilpin

    They're not "Apple's" drivers. Apple just packages the drivers they receive from printer manufacturers for user convenience.

     

    For some, especially older, printers better results can be obtained by using Gutenprint drivers, though they're not as easy on the eyes... You

    What to do if your printer driver is incompatible?

  • by Geoffrey Gilpin,

    Geoffrey Gilpin Geoffrey Gilpin Jun 24, 2016 12:43 AM in response to FatMac>MacPro
    Level 1 (88 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 24, 2016 12:43 AM in response to FatMac>MacPro

    Although the Canon manual shows pictures of the Color Options screen for the Mac there is no indication that this screen is only available if you download Canon's driver. (Indeed, there is no reference to Apple's driver packages at all.) I only wonder why cut-down packages are offered by Apple rather than the full packages.

     

    I'm not at home at the moment but if I download Canon's driver will there be a conflict with the driver I already have, or will Canon's simply replace the original one?

     

    Thanks everyone.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Jun 24, 2016 4:16 PM in response to Geoffrey Gilpin
    Level 9 (69,813 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 24, 2016 4:16 PM in response to Geoffrey Gilpin

    It should replace it. If in doubt, go to your hard drive level Library/Printers and delete the installed Canon drivers.

  • by PAHU,Helpful

    PAHU PAHU Jun 25, 2016 8:07 AM in response to Geoffrey Gilpin
    Level 6 (16,610 points)
    Jun 25, 2016 8:07 AM in response to Geoffrey Gilpin

    Geoffrey Gilpin wrote:

     

    Although the Canon manual shows pictures of the Color Options screen for the Mac there is no indication that this screen is only available if you download Canon's driver. (Indeed, there is no reference to Apple's driver packages at all.) I only wonder why cut-down packages are offered by Apple rather than the full packages.

    There is only one Canon driver. So whether it gets added by downloading from the Apple Store when you select to add the printer or if you manually download and install from a Canon web site, it is still the same driver.

     

    What you may be seeing is Apple's AirPrint driver. This driver will get automatically selected when you connect to a printer that supports AirPrint, which your MG7550 does. And the AirPrint driver has less features than the Canon driver. So the Color Options menu is present with the Canon driver but not with the Apple AirPrint driver.

     

    You can check which driver you are using by opening Printers & Scanners and selecting the MG7550 printer. In the right pane you will see a Kind entry and if you see AirPrint in the name, like the example I have shown below for my Canon MG5360, then this is the reason for the lack of user settings.

    AirPrint.png

    If you want to create a printer using the Canon driver, all you need to do is select to add a printer via Printers & Scanners, select the Canon MG7550 and then in the Use menu, change it from the AirPrint driver to the Canon MG7500 series driver.

  • by Geoffrey Gilpin,

    Geoffrey Gilpin Geoffrey Gilpin Jun 25, 2016 8:10 AM in response to PAHU
    Level 1 (88 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 25, 2016 8:10 AM in response to PAHU

    Thanks.  This sounds right. I'm away from home for a week so will try next week. I thought it would be strange if there were two drivers.

  • by Geoffrey Gilpin,

    Geoffrey Gilpin Geoffrey Gilpin Jul 4, 2016 6:17 AM in response to PAHU
    Level 1 (88 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 4, 2016 6:17 AM in response to PAHU

    I'm now back and have tried your suggestion. As you said, I had selected the AirPrint driver (I don't remember being given the choice first time round). I deleted the printer and reinstalled selecting MG7500 series and all is now well.

     

    Thanks very much for your help.