How do I get a Canon MG, MP and MX series USB printer working?

Posting on behalf of the OP:

Having messed around as described in thread below, this is what it boils down to:

Most printer and scanner drivers (MG,MP and MX series) are easily found in Ubuntu Software Center.

first add a PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:michael-gruz/canon
sudo apt-get update

Open software center:

Search for: "Canon cnijfilter", in list; pick driver for your printer series and "Canon Scangear", in list; pick driver for your scanner series

Both will install in a snap.

Afterwards, go to system settings/printers and add your printer. Note: Scanning as of now (nov.2011) works from Gimp only, which is actually okay. Printer may show as 'not mounted', but still works.

This PPA doesn't yet contain drivers for the MG5300 series, see this question to set it up manually:

• Installation of drivers for Canon MG5300 series fails…