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How to Set Up and Use Secure Print on Your Canon Copier

Picture of American Business Machines   American Business Machines  ·  2 minute read

Printing a confidential document shouldn’t feel like a risk. Yet in busy offices, it’s common for printouts to sit unattended on the tray, creating opportunities for sensitive information to be seen by the wrong people. That’s where Canon’s Secure Print feature comes in.

Secure Print lets you send a document to the copier but holds it in the device’s memory until you physically walk up and enter your personal code. It’s an easy way to boost office security without changing your workflow too much. If you're wondering how to use this feature, you're in the right place.

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In this blog, we’ll walk you through what Secure Print is, how to set it up, and how to retrieve your documents safely from a Canon device.

What is Secure Print?

Secure Print is a built-in security feature found on many Canon multifunction printers (MFPs). Instead of printing a document immediately, it stores the file on the printer’s hard drive until you're at the device and ready to release it using a PIN or password.

This feature helps reduce the risk of someone accidentally grabbing your documents off the tray. It’s particularly useful in shared work environments or offices where documents often contain sensitive information.

Why Use Secure Print?

Whether you’re in healthcare, education, law, or finance, there are times when privacy matters. Here are a few reasons to start using Secure Print:

  • Keeps sensitive files from sitting unattended on the printer

  • Prevents coworkers from accidentally picking up your documents

  • Helps reduce paper waste from forgotten print jobs

  • Adds a layer of accountability for printed materials

Step-by-Step: How to Use Secure Print on a Canon Copier

Let’s walk through how to set it up and use it, whether you're on a Windows PC or a Mac.

Step 1: Select Secure Print from Your Computer

For Windows users:

  1. Go to your printer settings by clicking on Devices and Printers.

  2. Right-click on your Canon printer and select Printing Preferences.

  3. In the Output Method section, choose Secure Print.

  4. You’ll be prompted to enter a User Name and a PIN. This is how you'll access your print job at the machine.

For Mac users:

  1. When you go to print, open the expanded printer dialog box.

  2. Look for a dropdown that says Finishing or Special Features.

  3. Choose Secure Print and enter your User ID and PIN.

Tip: Your User ID can be your name, initials, or employee number—anything you’ll remember when retrieving your print job.

Step 2: Send Your Document to Print

Now print your document like normal. Select the Secure Print settings you just configured, type in your PIN, and hit Print.

But remember, nothing will actually print just yet. Your document is now waiting in a secure queue at the machine.

Step 3: Retrieve Your Document at the Canon Copier

Head over to the Canon device and follow these steps:

  1. From the home screen, select Secure Print.

  2. Enter the same User ID and PIN you used when printing.

  3. Find your document in the list and press Print.

  4. Once you're finished, the machine will automatically delete the job unless you choose to reprint or save it.

If you send multiple documents, you can select and release them all at once.

Admin Tip: Make It Easier for Everyone

If you manage your office print environment, you can help others adopt Secure Print more easily. Some Canon software solutions like uniFLOW allow you to enforce Secure Print by default or tie it to employee ID cards for quicker access. You can also set up shared print queues where users need to authenticate before printing, helping reduce both waste and risk.

Secure Print is one of the easiest ways to improve document security in your workplace. Whether you’re printing a single page or a multi-page contract, having that extra level of control gives peace of mind and helps keep your information in the right hands.

Need help setting it up across your office? As an authorized Canon dealer, American Business Machines can help you configure Secure Print and recommend the right Canon devices for your workflow. Get a free quote today.