How to Download Canon MP Navigator EX for Canon PIXMA MP640 (Step-by-Step)

Best Settings in Canon MP Navigator EX for Optimal Scans on the PIXMA MP640

Getting the best scans from your Canon PIXMA MP640 with MP Navigator EX depends on matching scan settings to the job: text, photos, or mixed documents. This guide gives recommended settings and quick tips to maximize clarity, color accuracy, and file size control.

1. General workflow

1. Place item on the scanner glass, align to guides.
2. Open MP Navigator EX > Scan (select Document Scan or Photo Scan depending on content).
3. Choose the preset closest to your goal, then customize the settings below before scanning.

2. Scan mode and target type

• Text / documents: choose Document Scan (or Text mode).
• Photos / images: choose Photo Scan (or Color Photograph).
• Mixed content: use Photo Scan with careful color/brightness adjustments or run two scans (one optimized for text, one for images).

3. Resolution (DPI)

• OCR/text-only: 300 dpi — reliable for OCR while keeping file size moderate.
• Mixed text+images: 300–600 dpi — better detail for small text and images.
• Photo archiving/prints: 600–1200 dpi — higher fidelity for cropping or large prints (files get large quickly).
  Default recommendation: 300 dpi for everyday use, 600 dpi if you need finer detail.

4. Color mode

• Black & White (1-bit): small files, good for high-contrast text-only documents.
• Grayscale: use for documents with shading or old paper where you need tone.
• Color (24-bit): use for photographs or colored documents.
  Recommendation: Color for photos, Grayscale for non-color images with tonal detail, Black & White only for simple text.

5. File format and compression

• PDF (multiple pages): use for multi-page documents; select PDF+OCR in MP Navigator EX if you need searchable text.
• JPEG: good for photos; choose highest quality for archival, medium for general use.
• TIFF: use for lossless archival or image processing workflows.
• PNG: lossless alternative for images with text or line art.
  Recommendation: PDF for documents, JPEG (high quality) for photos, TIFF for archival.

6. Image correction and enhancement

• Auto Color Correction / Auto Exposure: useful for quick scans; can overcorrect color in some photos — preview before finalizing.
• Descreen / Reduce Moiré (if available): enable when scanning printed halftone images (magazine photos).
• Dust and Scratch removal: only use for older prints where defects are visible; it may soften detail.
• Sharpening: apply moderately; excessive sharpening creates artifacts.

7. Brightness, Contrast, and Color Balance

• Start with Auto adjustments, then fine-tune:
  • Brightness: lower slightly if highlights are blown; raise if image is dark.
  • Contrast: increase for faded documents to improve legibility; reduce if shadows clip.
• For color-critical work, scan in Color at higher dpi and adjust in an image editor using color reference (e.g., color checker).

8. OCR settings

• Resolution: 300 dpi is ideal for reliable OCR.
• Language: select the correct OCR language(s) for best results.
• Output: choose searchable PDF if you want editable/searchable text but keep an image-based PDF backup if layout must be preserved.

9. Multi-page and batch scanning

• Use MP Navigator EX’s Multi-Page PDF option for documents.
• Check “Auto crop” and “Auto deskew” to keep pages aligned.
• For many pages, use a consistent resolution (300 dpi) to keep file size manageable.

10. File size control

• Reduce DPI for smaller files.
• For JPEG, choose medium–high quality; for PDFs, use PDF compression options if available.
• Convert color scans to Grayscale where color isn’t needed.

11. Calibration and maintenance

• Clean the scanner glass and lid to avoid streaks and spots.
• If colors look off, let the scanner warm up (if recently powered) and use color correction settings or scan a known reference to adjust in software.

12. Quick recommended presets (everyday tasks)

• Standard document (OCR): Document Scan, Color/Grayscale, 300 dpi, PDF+OCR.
• Photo for sharing: Photo Scan, Color, 300–600 dpi, JPEG (High).
• Photo for archiving/editing: Photo Scan, Color, 600–1200 dpi, TIFF or JPEG (Maximum).

13. Troubleshooting common issues

• Blurry scans: increase DPI, clean glass, ensure original is flat.
• Dark scans: increase brightness or disable aggressive auto-exposure.
• Large files: lower DPI, switch to JPEG (with compression), or use PDF compression.

Use these settings as starting points and preview scans in MP Navigator EX to fine-tune. Adjust based on the specific item and desired output quality.