Renee DeCoskey
Thank you to Canon PIXMA for sponsoring this article. Print anything that matters to you from anywhere to anywhere, with Canon PIXMA and the PIXMA Cloud app.
The first printer I ever used was an old dot matrix in elementary school. I fancied myself quite the young novelist in 1994 when I wrote a “book” about time-traveling hippies. With no access yet to a computer at home, my only option was to print my story at school so I could share it. The dot matrix took forever (not to mention how you had to tear each sheet of paper apart), and the best thing about it (for a 12 year old) was that you could rip off the edges and make friendship bracelets out of them.
So as you can imagine, inkjet printers really revolutionized the printing experience (even for young writers like me). Now it was possible to make greeting cards, calendars, stationery, and any other kind of printed novelty — in color! — on different kinds of paper! The actual printing was so much faster, and the document quality was better, as well. It got even better when we realized that we could print photos from our computers onto photo paper we could buy. We were so excited about it, in fact, that we overlooked the poor quality that most common ink jet printers produced.
And now, the Canon PIXMA MG7120 has upped the ante. After using it for just a few days, I realize I’d been settling for mediocrity all this time.
Setup was pretty simple: as a Mac user, there was nothing for me to install (though the printer does come with an installation disc for Windows users). I simply plugged the printer in and the 3.5 inch color display screen came on and guided me through each step of the setup, from installing the ink cartridges to the cleaning and alignment required. There was also an instruction guide included with the printer materials so that if the screen moved too quickly, you could follow a setup chart, as well. The wireless setup was also relatively straightforward and there were a few different options for setting that up. I just entered my wi-fi password. Easy enough.
The feature that sets this printer apart from its other ink jet companions is PIXMA Printing Solutions (PPS), which allows for printing from the cloud through social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Dropbox, Evernote, Photobucket and Flickr. You can use the cloud apps right on the printer screen if you like, and this is what I tried first. I signed into the Facebook app with a specific picture in mind that I wanted to print. It was on a friend’s page. It was a little tough to scroll through all of my Facebook friends (who weren’t in any particular order) to find the one I was looking for, but my guess is that most users won’t be accessing the cloud apps directly from the printer (more on that in a moment). When I located and printed the picture onto one of the sheets of 4×6 glossy photo paper that was included, I was amazed at the quality.
As I mentioned before, the ability to simply print pictures onto photo paper from our basic inkjet printer gave us instant access to prints that we wanted right then and there. This was such a novelty that we could look beyond the fact that the quality wasn’t so great and the color was always just a little bit off. Even getting pictures printed in a digital lab could sometimes come back a little bit pixelated — especially pictures from Facebook.
The PIXMA quality was sharp and the colors were right on. I attribute much of this to the fact that there are 6 ink cartridges in this printer. Whereas your run-of-the-mill inkjets will have one black and one color cartridge, this printer includes the individual colors. While this will perhaps make it pricier when it comes to replacing the cartridges, especially as a set, it also means that you can replace them as they run out, and no color will be wasted in the process of replacing the others.
As I mentioned, the need to use the apps directly from the printer is all but nothing if you have a smartphone or tablet. This is a major plus since we’re becoming a more mobile society. From the App Store, I downloaded the free PIXMA Print app. There was a brief registration process that involved creating an account and printing the registration ID, and then I had access to all of the same apps that were on the printer. From that dashboard, I could easily search the other apps available to add.
When I was a kid, I loved Print Shop. I loved the idea of creating and customizing something, and then “publishing” it by printing it and giving it to someone. So naturally, I was very excited to see the “web template print” and Creative Park cloud apps, which allowed me to print stationery, calendars, and greeting cards, all from my phone.
I also tried printing outside of the PPS app just to see if it would be easy to print something else directly from my phone to my printer when nearby (over wi-fi). The short version: it was.
While the PIXMA’s sleek design will dig a little deeper into your pockets than your basic inkjet printer, if you’re a creative person who loves being able to print your documents, projects, and images from anywhere — and with high quality — the Canon PIXMA is well worth your investment. Once you try it, your old ink just won’t look the same again.
Disclosure: I received a free printer from Canon. All opinions are my own.
Want to win your very own Canon PIXMA?
Would a shiny, new Canon PIXMA printer make your job easier? You’re in luck! Along with Technorati and Canon, Business 2 Community will be giving away a Canon PIXMA printer to one lucky winner.
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1. Leave a comment below telling us how you would use this printer.
2. Be sure to use a valid email address — winner will be notified by email! (Make sure you can receive email from business2community.com.)
Giveaway entries must be submitted by 8pm ET on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. Winner will be notified on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013.
THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. A winner was selected and notified on Dec. 16. Thank you.
Thank you Canon PIXMA and Technorati for being sponsors of this article. All opinions expressed here are my own.
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This article was written for Business 2 Community by Renee DeCoskey.
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I would use the printer to create pictures of my family.
Wow. I would use that Canon to print receipts from my tiny home office. That cloud printing feature would come in handy when I want to print a pic from my phone! Thank you :)
I would use this to print out all my great digital pictures and send them to my mom! She’s not much for the internet, so physical photos mean a lot to her :)
I will print pictures of my wife & son
I would use this printer to print the flyers of homes in my real estate business
I would use it to print photos of my children. I have a professional full frame DSLR and have recently started my photography business. My clients get nice photos through a printing service but I never have the time to order photos of my own – this would be awesome to have at home and print high quality photos!
I would use the Canon PIXMA to print out pictures of my Nephew to send to our family and my brother in laws family so they to can see how fast my nephew is growing up. I would print out many christmas pictures of him and make scrapbooks for my parents, grandparents, and sister of Kaleos first christmas. I would do a log picure ornament of the family to put on the tree and use this printer for my photography class’s homework. I am currently a high school student wanting to go into photography/art. Winning this printer would push me to do more and strive to get better. I would really put this to work!
I would use the Canon PIXMA MG7120 to work on my creative projects from photos to crafting. I am so excited to create beautiful photo memories of my new grandson who is expected to arrive in March 2014. The Canon PIXMA MG7120 is exactly what I’m looking for to really expand on my hobby since this year my children have all left the house and now I have time for new adventures with my creative talents.
Scrapbooking!
I would use it for my crafting and daughter’s school. Thank you for the chance!
I used to use my canon pixma (an older model) for printing pictures and other documents. But one day i dropped when switching computers, and since that day i keep my spare unused cartridges
:(
I would use this printer to replace my Kodak printer. I’m constantly printing coupons, dvd labels, and digital media projects, and would love to use a PIXMA for better print quality.
I’d use this printer for everything from printing Christmas cards to flyers. Thanks for posting this!
This printer will be useful to print ongoing and future project pictures as well as having a tool for distant projects to be sent in for review.
Thank you for your consideration, this appears to be a very nice office tool and a printer to use at home as well!
For Printing!
I’d use this printer for the rest of my life.
I would use this printer to catalog old photographs
photbooks, photobooks, and more photobooks !
I would use this printer for business and pleasure. I have a few friends and neighbors that are always asking if I could print things for them, so it would be a community printer as well. Thanks.
I would use this to make collages for my arts and crafts courses and make copies of treasured family photos for everyone to have.
I would print resumes to distribute to potential employers. Also, to print photos that have been on my computer forever.
I would use it to print out cards, labels, reports, receipts, photos, and anything – and everything related to my business.
Sounds like a great product at the right time for holiday greeting printing work !!
I would use such a printer to create brochures and cards.
I would donate it to the Lakewood School District. I already have a nice cannon printer I use it for family photos and Christmas calenders
I would donate it to the school district.
I would use this printer to print a portal that would let me travel back in time to enter this competition in time to win it! Well that’s fairly creative, right? :)
I would use this printer for all of my freelance and corporate projects. I may even get married to it if it treats me right. I already have a Pixma Pro 9000 Mark II and I use it faithfully. An upgrade to a techy is always appreciated.
For printing sell sheets.
As a sales representative always on the road I would use it to be able to print quality pictures for customers I am visiting at there job sites. This would give me the ability to give them a much better description of the products they are looking at. I could also print out any technical or installation documents as well. This would be a great tool to have in my arsenal.
I have a Canon MP160 that just went out on me. I would use it as a family printer for my kids projects, work photo’s etc…
I would print pictures and everything else that is needed for daily life and work.
Our daughter’s recent disorder led us to trying homeschooling this year. The politics, meetings, and trying to reason with public school professionals became too much and we believe we can get more motivation along with the fun of learning at home instead of public school. The better national online academies require a printer for assignments which wasn’t in our budget.
I would use the Canon PIXMA MG7120 to do creative advertising and press kits for my production company Knight Quest Entertainment! http://twinforksagency.wix.com/knight-quest-ent
I would use the printer to create both visual, and written, impressions about the New Jersey beach area where I live, and how people are coping with the Hurricane Sandy recovery. The storm was more than a year ago, but the challenges are still visible.
I would use it in my classroom because students always lose assignments. This would save me time and I can be more effective and productive in my 5th grafe classroom.
I would like to use the printer for photo projects to connect mentors and mentees in the STEM field.
I would use it to print pictures, coupons, speed sheets, homeschool worksheets for my kids, etc….
I love the cloud feature that this printer has to print and share photos. My family is on Facebook often and sometimes our way of communicating so with them uploading photos this printer would come in handy not to mention the quality of Canon alone produces nice prints so it would also be good asset for my designs I need to print and yes, photos from my phone! I have so many that it’s crazy! With this printer I don’t have to forward the photos I can print them directly from my phone. This is sweet!
i would use the printer to print on the spot the hundreds of new pieces i create weekly. loving the cloud features. pick me it will get used thoroughly, daily.
I would love this printer so I can print out pictures of loved ones as well as assignments and coursework for my college courses!
I would use the printer to print all of the pictures I take on my trips to the Seagrove Beach, FL.
I would use this printer to leverage my business and also aid my family in creating memories that will last a lifetime! My email is [email protected]
I would use the Pixma to create my Mobi, ePubs and PDFs into hard copies, for my book shelf. I have suffered loosing documents due to hackers destroying my computer files. I need a good printer. I need a stylish printer to replace my 6 year old printer.
I would use this printer to print all the captured moments whether they be action shots of my girls playing volleyball ,impromptu family photos or waves rushing the shorelines.
I would use the printer as my family and I live, work, and play boldly and colorfully.
I am creating a photo light-box wall sculpture of five generations of family and loved ones for my Grandmother’s 100th birthday on March 17 titled “Celebrating 100 Years of Life and Love,” and this could really help me get better results! I want to make something big and omnipresent that she can enjoy without much effort.
First baby due Christmas Day. I currently travel from Fort Worth to Houston for work. The partners have agreed to let me work from Fort Worth if I can sell business here. I am now in my car all day and have to stop to print documents. This device could help me spend more time selling and increase my chances of staying in Fort Worth much more often with my new son. Who am I kidding, if it works, I’ll put it on credit.
I would love to print the many photos I take on a daily basis of all the amazing people and places around my town. This is the perfect printer for my home.
Would love one for my grooming business just bought a Canon EOS 70d camera could print my pictures
Well I wouldn’t be using it. In all likelihood my Wife would be using it. I have had really good success with Canon printers and do recommend them when I can. I’m still using my MX-330 today. Most printers I know of die within 2 years.
I will upgrade from my Canon PIXMA MP560 to create higher quality business documents.
I would use this printer for personal and business. Print those special family moments and use it for my business documents
I would use it for everything it does and show it off in between printing jobs
I’d use this printer for everything from printing resume , Monthly newsletter, Christmas cards, flyers. I would love it… Thank you,