the paper keeps getting jammed halfway through when i try to print, it's all wrinkled and crooked.

Diagnosis

The Canon PIXMA TS3520 utilizes a rear-feed tray system that relies on a single pickup roller to pull paper into the print engine. When paper jams halfway and emerges wrinkled or skewed, it indicates a "skew feed" condition. This occurs when the paper is not entering the feed slot perfectly perpendicular to the rollers, or when one side of the page is gripped by the roller before the other. Once the page enters at a slight angle, it hits the internal chassis walls, causing the paper to bunch up (wrinkle) and eventually trigger a "Support Code 1300" or "1303" error on the small LCD screen. This is most commonly caused by misalignment of the paper guides or debris in the rear tray. Because the TS3520 has an open-top feed, it is highly susceptible to "foreign object debris" (FOD)—such as staples, paperclips, or dust clumps—falling into the feed slot. Even a tiny piece of torn paper from a previous jam can act as a wedge, forcing every subsequent sheet to veer to the left or right. Additionally, using paper that has absorbed ambient humidity will cause the sheets to curl, preventing the roller from maintaining a flat, consistent grip across the entire width of the page.

How to Fix It

To resolve the skewing and jamming, follow this precise recalibration and cleaning sequence:

1. Power off the printer and unplug the power cable from the wall to ensure safety while inspecting the feed path.
2. Clear the rear tray entirely. Inspect the feed slot using a bright flashlight. Look for any small scraps of paper, staples, or dust bunnies. If you see debris, use a pair of long-nose pliers or a vacuum with a hose attachment to remove it.
3. Take your paper stack and "fan" the edges for 10 seconds to break the static seal between sheets. Ensure you are using standard 20lb (75-90 gsm) bright white paper.
4. Slide the paper guides in the rear tray all the way outward. Insert the paper stack, ensuring it is pushed firmly against the back of the tray but not forced down so hard that it bows.
5. Slide the side guides inward until they are snug against the edges of the paper. The guides should touch the paper without bending it; if the guides are too tight, they will actually push the paper into a curve, causing the very wrinkles you are seeing.
6. Clean the rubber pickup roller. Dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water (do not use alcohol). Reach into the feed slot and gently wipe the rubber roller, rotating it manually if possible, to remove paper dust and oils.
7. Plug the printer back in, power it on, and run a "Nozzle Check" or a single-page test to verify the alignment.

If That Didn't Work

• Check for "Hidden" Jams: Open the scanning unit/cover and check the carriage path. Sometimes a small piece of paper is stuck in the far right or left corner of the printer chassis, which doesn't stop the paper from starting but causes it to deviate halfway through the cycle.
• Swap the Paper Brand: If you are using budget-grade or recycled paper, the surface may be too slick or too porous for the TS3520's rollers. Switch to a premium brand like HP or Canon Genuine paper to see if the grip improves.
• Perform a Hard Reset: Unplug the printer while it is still powered on. Wait 60 seconds. Hold the power button down for 15 seconds while unplugged to discharge the capacitors. Plug it back in and restart. This can sometimes clear persistent sensor errors that cause the printer to "panic" and stop the feed prematurely.
• Inspect the Rear Tray Plastic: Check for any cracks or warping in the plastic tray assembly. If the tray has been bumped or dropped, the angle of entry may be permanently skewed, requiring a replacement of the rear tray housing.

Heads Up

• Avoid Overloading: While the tray may seem deep, never fill it past the 75-sheet mark. Overloading puts excessive pressure on the pickup roller, increasing the likelihood of multiple sheets being pulled at once (multi-feed).
• Humidity Control: Store your paper in a cool, dry place. Damp paper is the primary cause of "curled" jams in rear-feed printers like the TS3520.
• Guide Precision: Always readjust the paper guides every time you change paper sizes (e.g., switching from Letter to 4x6 photo paper). Even a 2mm gap can cause a skew jam.
• Avoid Heavy Cardstock: The TS3520 is not designed for heavy craft cardstock. Using paper over 200gsm often results in the paper getting stuck halfway because the rollers cannot push the heavier weight through the internal curves.