How do i get it to print straight?

Reinstall the printer driver. Sounds like it is corrupted.

Remove both cartridges, switch off printer and then on. After cartridge holder comes to the center install both the cartridges. Then it will print the Alignment page. After alignment page prints place the Alignment page on to the scanner and press SCAN button as mentioned in the Alignment page. After completing the scan try printing. It will print the usual speed.
Note: For the alignment process both cartridges should in good working state

I assume you are using windows.

1. Go to START, SETTINGS, PRINTERS, double click on the printer icon. Go to FILE, to PROPERTIES, then click on the printer SERVICES tab. Click on ALIGN the print cartridge button and follow instructions on the screen. hope this works
2. Align the print cartridges Typically, you only align print cartridges after installing or replacing a cartridge. However, you may also need to align cartridges when:
   
   • Characters are improperly formed or are misaligned at the left margin.
   • Vertical, straight lines are wavy.
   From your printer:
   1. Load plain paper.
   2. Press the Menu button, and scroll to Align Cartridges.
   3. Press Select. An alignment page prints. Once this page prints, your automatic alignment is complete.
   From your computer:
   1. Load plain paper.
   2. Open the Canon Pixma IP 1200 Utility.
   3. From the Cartridges tab, click Align Cartridges... . The Cartridge Alignment dialog appears.
      
   4. Click Continue to print the alignment page.
   5. On the Alignment Status dialog, click OK if automatic alignment is successful. If automatic alignment is not successful, clicking OK will return you to Utility Main Window.

Your color cartridge does n't print well
in order to have a success alignement
check if the expire date has pass

you need to replace the color cartridge or refill it
by this easy method

try doing head alignment, this feature is located under the printer properties... goto Start, then Setting, then Printer and faxes, and point to the printer model, right click and select Properties... then select Maintenance and from there, you can clean head and head alignment... print the alignment sheet and select the best straight line.. that should help.

Microsoft Windows 95/98/Me:
(Applies to all printers)

1. Click Start, Programs, Lexmark Series.
   
2. Click Lexmark Control Panel.
   
3. Click Print Cartridge installation.
   
4. Depending on which cartridges you are using and which printer model you have, select Install Color Cartridge or Install Black Cartridge or Install Photo Cartridge.
   
5. Carefully remove the tape covering the printhead of the print cartridge. Important: Be sure to remove all of the tape. Do not touch the copper area on the back of the cartridge.
   
6. Insert the print cartridge into the print cartridge carrier.
   
7. Push the cartridge back until it clicks into place.
   
   
   
   • If the print cartridge moves loosely in the carrier, it is not locked into place. Repeat step 7.
   
   
8. Click the appropriate Cartridge Installed option in the printer software.
   
   
   
   • If you choose to install a new print cartridge, you will be prompted to align your print cartridges. The printer will print a page with a bi-directional alignment pattern. Follow these steps to align the cartridges:
     
     
     
     1. On the printed test page, locate the number under the Bi-directional Alignment pattern that comes closest to forming a straight line.
        
     2. Enter the number as the Bi-directional Alignment setting in the Alignment Cartridge screen.
        
     3. Click OK.
   
   
9. Close the front cover of the printer.

You should be able to go into the print driver settings and do a print head alignment.

That should cure the problem.

try this...

Aligning Ink Cartridges Your printer automatically aligns the ink cartridges when they are installed or replaced. To verify your ink cartridges are aligned, you can print an alignment page. After you close the printer unit, press the Menu button. The alignment page begins printing. During printing, the operator panel display reads Alignment Page Printing. When complete, the message reads Auto Alignment Complete. Your ink cartridges are now aligned for optimal print quality.
You may also need to align ink cartridges when characters are not properly formed or are not aligned at the left margin, or when vertical or straight lines appear wavy.
To align the ink cartridges:

1. Load plain paper. For more information, see Loading Paper.
   
   
2. Click Start® Programs or All Programs® Dell Printers® Dell Photo AIO Printer 922® Dell Printer Solution Center.
   
   
3. Click the Maintenance tab
   
   
4. Click Align to fix blurry edges.
   
   
5. Click Print.
   
   

The ink cartridges align when the page prints.


If this helps you plz rate this fixya. Thank you kindly. If you need more help post it & I'll be glad to do what I can.

1. Click Start, Programs, Lexmark Series.
2. Click Lexmark Control Panel.
3. Click Print Cartridge installation.
4. Depending on which cartridges you are using and which printer model you have, select Install Color Cartridge or Install Black Cartridge or Install Photo Cartridge.
5. Carefully remove the tape covering the printhead of the print cartridge. Important: Be sure to remove all of the tape. Do not touch the copper area on the back of the cartridge.
6. Insert the print cartridge into the print cartridge carrier.
7. Push the cartridge back until it clicks into place.
   • If the print cartridge moves loosely in the carrier, it is not locked into place. Repeat step 7.
8. Click the appropriate Cartridge Installed option in the printer software.
   • If you choose to install a new print cartridge, you will be prompted to align your print cartridges. The printer will print a page with a bi-directional alignment pattern. Follow these steps to align the cartridges:
     1. On the printed test page, locate the number under the Bi-directional Alignment pattern that comes closest to forming a straight line.
     2. Enter the number as the Bi-directional Alignment setting in the Alignment Cartridge screen.
     3. Click OK.
9. Close the front cover of the printer.

Just a guess, change the printer cartridge, make sure contacts are not obstructed by paper.