5 Hidden Features of the Pixma TS9520 You Must Know About

Introduction

The Canon Pixma TS9520 arrived on the market as a versatile all-in-one aimed at home users who need a mix of photo-quality images and everyday document printing. While many buyers focus on headline specs—print resolution, ink type, and scanning capability—this model packs several lesser-known features that make it particularly appealing to crafters, home-office users, and families who print photos and projects often. This article explores five hidden features of the Pixma TS9520, explains why they matter in real-world use cases, and provides a balanced review, a pros & cons summary, a concise comparison with similar models, and a buying guide to help decide whether the TS9520 fits a specific need.

Five Hidden Features and Why They Matter

1. 12" x 12" and Square Paper Support (Craft-Friendly)

One of the most underappreciated capabilities of the Pixma TS9520 is its support for larger and non-standard paper sizes, including 12" x 12" and square formats. This design choice positions the printer beyond basic home-office duty: it becomes a practical tool for scrapbookers, card makers, and small-batch craft businesses that often work with specialty paper.

Real-world use case: A hobbyist creating seasonal scrapbook pages or wedding invitations can print photo-quality elements and cut them to fit pre-scored craft kits, eliminating a separate trip to a copy shop. Buyers who value project flexibility will appreciate a single-device workflow for different media types.

2. Five-Color Individual Ink System for Better Photo Gradation

Rather than a combined tri-color cartridge, the TS9520 uses individual ink tanks so only the depleted color needs replacing. More importantly for photographers and parents printing family photos, the five-color layout improves subtle tonal transitions in photos—especially flesh tones and skin gradients—leading to more natural-looking prints without heavy post-processing.

Real-world use case: Users preparing prints for framed photos or school projects will see fewer banding artifacts and smoother midtones. For buyers concerned with long-term running costs, individual cartridges also mean lower consumable waste and the ability to replenish only the color that runs out first.

3. Robust Mobile and Voice Printing Options

Hidden in the setup menus and mobile app capabilities is a suite of wireless printing options that extends convenience beyond Wi‑Fi: the printer supports Canon’s mobile printing app and integrates with industry-standard mobile protocols (such as AirPrint and Mopria), and can be set up to accept print jobs from mobile devices in less obvious ways. While voice-driven cloud printing ecosystems evolve rapidly, the TS9520’s app-based workflows and driverless mobile printing simplify everyday tasks.

Real-world use case: Parents and caregivers who prefer printing directly from a phone or tablet can send photos to the TS9520 during family events, while the quiet modes (see next section) keep night-time printing unobtrusive. Buyers who prioritize easy mobile printing will find this feature saves time and removes dependency on a desktop host.

4. Quiet/Low-Noise Print Mode and Customizable Print Profiles

Most buyers notice print speed and image quality, but the ability to tune the printer for quieter operation is less obvious. The TS9520 includes quieter print modes and offers customizable profiles for single-click selection of presets—favoring speed, quality, or noise reduction—depending on the job.

Real-world use case: In a home environment with remote work or sleeping children, selecting a quiet mode during late-night prints reduces disturbance. Creative users who alternate between high-quality photos and draft documents will appreciate saved profiles that prevent repeated manual adjustments.

5. Integrated Creative and Scanning Workflows (Software Features)

Beyond hardware, the TS9520 benefits from bundled and downloadable Canon software that unlocks productive and creative workflows: template-driven layouts for calendars and collages, easy photo correction, and direct scan-to-file or scan-to-cloud options. These software features are not always emphasized in product listings but drive day-to-day usefulness.

Real-world use case: Small-business sellers who need quick product shots and scans for listings can use built-in templates to accelerate visual content creation. Families digitizing documents and old photos can use guided scan tools to crop, auto-correct, and export to common formats without third-party software.

Detailed Product Review and Analysis

The Pixma TS9520 sits at the intersection of home photo printing and light office duty. Hardware wise, the combination of a modest footprint, a color touchscreen for local control, and flexible paper handling makes it a natural choice for diverse environments. Print quality for photographs is a strong point due to its individual inks and color handling; text and office documents remain fully serviceable for occasional or moderate use.

Paper handling is one of the TS9520’s strengths. The separate input paths (front tray and rear specialty feed) let users load standard letter paper while keeping specialty photo or craft paper in the secondary tray. This minimizes interruptions when switching between tasks. For those printing larger or square projects, the machine’s ability to accept non-standard sizes removes a common bottleneck.

Connectivity is modern and practical. Wireless printing via the manufacturer’s mobile app and support for common device printing standards reduce friction in multi-device households. Although enterprise-grade features (like Ethernet, advanced security, or very high duty cycles) are not the focus, the TS9520 provides everything a home or small creative studio usually needs.

On the scanner side, flatbed scanning quality is appropriate for photos and document archival. Combined with software features for scanning and editing, the unit fills a useful role for users scanning receipts, children’s artwork, or family photos. Duplex scanning is generally not a selling point for this class; where high-volume scanning is required, a dedicated sheet-fed scanner remains a better fit.

Performance and Running Costs

Print speed is adequate for home usage, though buyers should not expect office-grade throughput. Running costs depend heavily on usage patterns: frequent color photo printing will increase ink replacement frequency. The individual cartridge design, however, mitigates costs compared with multi-color cartridges by allowing selective replacement.

Reliability and Build

Build quality favors a balance of compactness and functionality. Users reporting long-term satisfaction typically follow simple maintenance: using the printer regularly to keep heads clear, using correct paper settings, and replacing only depleted cartridges. As with many all-in-ones, heavy daily duty or prolonged high-volume photo runs are where wear and higher maintenance become noticeable.

Pros & Cons

• Pros:
  • Supports 12" x 12" and square paper—excellent for crafters and scrapbookers
  • Five individual ink system for better photo gradation and lower cartridge waste
  • Flexible paper handling with multiple input paths
  • Convenient mobile printing support and device-friendly workflows
  • Quiet print modes and customizable profiles for different priorities
• Cons:
  • Not optimized for heavy office-duty volumes or high-speed production
  • Photo ink costs can add up for frequent large-format prints
  • Some advanced color-management workflows require additional software knowledge
  • Limited enterprise security and network management compared to business models

Comparison: Pixma TS9520 vs. Similar Home Photo All-In-Ones

A concise comparison helps put the TS9520’s hidden strengths in context with other options buyers might consider.

Buying Guide: How to Decide if the Pixma TS9520 Is Right

1. Define Primary Use Cases

Buyers should start by clarifying primary tasks. For scrapbookers and small craft businesses that need 12" x 12" or square prints, the TS9520’s paper flexibility is a major advantage. For a general home office where most printing is black-and-white documents, a monochrome laser or a compact inkjet may offer lower cost of ownership.

2. Consider Print Volume and Running Costs

Estimate monthly page volume. Occasional photo printing favors the TS9520’s quality; frequent large-format photo runs will increase ink expenses. The individual ink configuration reduces waste but does not eliminate the cost of dye or pigment photo inks.

3. Evaluate Connectivity Needs

If printing from multiple mobile devices is common, ensure the household’s devices are compatible with the Canon PRINT app, AirPrint, or Mopria. Buyers who need advanced network security or centralized IT management should consider business-class alternatives.

4. Check Software and Workflow Integration

Consider whether bundled or free software meets editing and scanning needs. Buyers who rely heavily on third-party color-managed printing for professional photography should check compatibility with desktop color tools and consider models with explicit support for advanced color workflows.

5. Physical Footprint and Paper Handling

Confirm the available space and expected paper types. The TS9520’s front and rear trays add flexibility but increase depth relative to ultra-compact desk printers. For those printing heavy stacks of documents regularly, a higher-capacity tray or duplexing feature may be preferable.

6. Long-Term Maintenance and Support

Check the availability of ink cartridges and support in the buyer’s region. Routine maintenance—keeping print heads clean and using the machine regularly—prolongs reliability. Buyers should factor in occasional head cleanings and potential alignment routines when evaluating convenience.

Conclusion

The Canon Pixma TS9520 is more than a photo-centric all-in-one: it hides several practical features that appeal to crafters, family photographers, and mixed-use home offices. Support for 12" x 12" and square paper, a five-color individual ink setup, useful mobile printing options, quiet print modes, and software-driven creative workflows make the TS9520 particularly versatile. While it is not a replacement for high-volume business printers, for buyers who value creative flexibility and photo quality within a home footprint, the TS9520 provides an attractive balance of functionality and convenience. Evaluating print volume, running costs, and the importance of specialty paper support will help determine whether this model answers specific needs.