What Ink Does the Brother DCP-J152W Use?
Last Updated:Last updated: September 27, 2026. Reviewed by William Elward, founder of Castle Ink.
Quick answer: what ink does the Brother DCP-J152W use?
The Brother DCP-J152W uses 4 Brother LC101/LC103 cartridges: black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Standard LC103 and higher-yield LC103 cartridges fit the same slots. LC103 high-yield cartridges print about twice as many pages as LC101 and fit the same slots. Each color is a separate cartridge, so you only replace the one that runs out.
Cartridge options at a glance
| Cartridge | Part numbers | Approx. yield* |
|---|---|---|
| Brother LC101 black (standard) | LC101BK | ~300 pages |
| Brother LC101 color (C/M/Y) | LC101C / LC101M / LC101Y | ~300 pages each |
| Brother LC103 black (high yield) | LC103BK | ~600 pages |
| Brother LC103 color (C/M/Y) | LC103C / LC103M / LC103Y | ~600 pages each |
*Approximate ISO yields from published cartridge specifications. Real-world results depend on coverage, photo printing, and cleaning cycles.
Common questions about Brother DCP-J152W ink
Should I buy LC103 or LC103 for the DCP-J152W?
LC103 for most people. LC103 high-yield cartridges print about twice as many pages as LC101 and fit the same slots. See Is XL ink actually worth it? Standard vs. XL with real numbers.
Can I mix standard and high-yield cartridges?
Yes. Each cartridge is read separately, so any mix of LC103 and LC103 works.
What other printers use Brother LC103 ink?
LC103/LC103 also fits the DCP-J172W, MFC-J245, MFC-J285DW, MFC-J450DW, MFC-J470DW, MFC-J475DW, MFC-J650DW, MFC-J870DW, MFC-J875DW, MFC-J4310DW, MFC-J4510DW, MFC-J4610DW, MFC-J6520DW, and MFC-J6920DW. If you own more than one, a single stock of cartridges covers them all.
Will other Brother cartridges fit the DCP-J152W?
No. Brother LC203/LC201 (MFC-J4420DW, MFC-J4620DW, MFC-J5720DW) look similar but won't fit. Always match the number on your current cartridge.
Are compatible LC103 cartridges safe for the DCP-J152W?
Yes. Quality compatible and remanufactured cartridges print like OEM, and using them doesn't void your warranty under U.S. law. If the printer shows “Cannot Detect” with a new cartridge, reseat it and check that the orange cap is removed. More: Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink, Does compatible ink void your printer warranty? and The best compatible ink for Brother printers.
How do I replace the ink in the DCP-J152W?
Open the ink cartridge cover on the front of the printer. Push the lock-release lever for the empty color and pull the cartridge out. Unpack the new cartridge, remove the orange protective cap, and push it in until it locks. Close the cover; the printer resets that color's ink counter automatically.
Why does the DCP-J152W say “Cannot Detect” or “Cannot Print”?
Remove and reseat the cartridge until it locks, make sure the orange protective cap is off, and wipe the cartridge's contacts with a dry lint-free cloth. Turn the printer off for a minute. If one color is empty, most Brother inkjets stop printing until it's replaced. More fixes: Printer says ink cartridge not recognized: how to fix it.
Why are prints from my DCP-J152W faded or streaky?
From the control panel, run Ink (or Maintenance) > Improve Print Quality > Check Print Quality, then clean the colors that show gaps. If lines look jagged or doubled instead, run the alignment from the same menu; see our print head alignment guide. More: Why is my printer printing streaks?.
Why did the first set of cartridges run out so fast?
New printers use part of the first set to fill the ink system. It's a one-time cost. See why the first cartridges run out fast.
Does the DCP-J152W have fax?
No. DCP models print, scan, and copy; Brother's MFC models add fax.
Can I use LC103 cartridges if my printer came with LC101?
Yes. LC103 is the high-yield version of LC101 and fits the same slot. Most people should buy LC103 for the lower cost per page.
DCP-J152W key facts
- Type: compact wireless all-in-one (print, scan, copy)
- Ink: 4 individual Brother LC101/LC103 cartridges
- Fax: no
- Same ink as: DCP-J172W, MFC-J245, MFC-J285DW, MFC-J450DW, MFC-J470DW, MFC-J475DW, MFC-J650DW, MFC-J870DW, MFC-J875DW, MFC-J4310DW, MFC-J4510DW, MFC-J4610DW, MFC-J6520DW, MFC-J6920DW
Shop DCP-J152W ink at Castle Ink
- Compatible LC103 singles: LC103BK, LC103C, LC103M, LC103Y
- Remanufactured high-yield: LC103XLBK, LC103XLC, LC103XLM, LC103XLY
- Browse all Brother ink cartridges
Castle Ink compatibles typically cost 50–70% less than Brother retail and are backed by our compatibility guarantee. Estimate your savings with the Printer ink cost calculator.
Official Brother resources
Brother support (search “DCP-J152W” for drivers and manuals)
Similar printers, different ink: the MFC-J480DW, MFC-J680DW, and MFC-J880DW use LC201/LC203, the MFC-J430W uses LC71/LC75, and the MFC-J985DW uses LC20E. Always match the number on your current cartridge.
Related guides
- Printer says ink cartridge not recognized: how to fix it
- Is XL ink actually worth it? Standard vs. XL with real numbers
- Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink
- Does compatible ink void your printer warranty?
- The best compatible ink for Brother printers
- Print head alignment guide
Buy genuine Brother LC103 on Amazon: Brother LC103 on Amazon
About the author: William Elward is the founder of Castle Ink and has written about printers, ink cartridges, and printing technology for more than 20 years.
Need replacement Brother ink cartridges? Shop Brother ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.
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