What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA G3260 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Canon PIXMA G3260 MegaTank uses Canon GI-21 ink bottles — GI-21 PGBK pigment black plus GI-21 Cyan, Magenta and Yellow — and the MC-G02 maintenance cartridge. It does not use the older GI-290 bottles, even though it looks like the G3200-series printers that do. Castle Ink stocks compatible GI-21 bottles individually and in a 4-bottle combo pack.
CastleScore · October 2026
83/100 — Highly Recommended
Canon PIXMA G3260
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 80 | 4.10★ average across 3,523 ratings at Amazon (4.1) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 80 | PCMag 4.0/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 99 | About 0.4¢ per page blended (black + color) with our compatible GI-21 bottles (6,000 black / 7,700 color pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | 83 | Most-reported problems: color stops printing entirely even with full tanks; support code 5200 halts printing; ink not flowing / ink tubes empty after setup or a dry tank |
| Features (12%) | 56 | Print, copy, scan, Wi-Fi. No document feeder, no auto two-sided printing, no fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 90 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Status not confirmed. Canon still supports the G3260, but we couldn't confirm whether it is still sold new. The newer G3270 uses the same GI-21 ink with a different maintenance cartridge (MC-G04).
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked October 12, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The ink bottles, pictured
GI-21 Pigment Black4526C001 · 170 ml
GI-21 Cyan4537C001 · 70 ml
GI-21 Magenta4538C001 · 70 ml
GI-21 Yellow4539C001 · 70 ml
GI-21 Pigment Black
GI-21 Cyan
GI-21 Magenta
GI-21 YellowOur own compatible ink bottles, photographed in-house.
Canon PIXMA G3260 Ink at a Glance
| Supply | Color / Type | Canon Part No. | Approx. Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| GI-21 PGBK | Pigment black (Canon bottle: 135 ml) | 4526C001 | ~6,000 pages |
| GI-21 Cyan (70 ml) | Cyan | 4537C001 | ~7,700 color pages* |
| GI-21 Magenta (70 ml) | Magenta | 4538C001 | ~7,700 color pages* |
| GI-21 Yellow (70 ml) | Yellow | 4539C001 | ~7,700 color pages* |
| Canon MC-G02 | Maintenance cartridge | 4589C001 | Replace when prompted |
*Canon quotes the color yield for a set of cyan, magenta and yellow bottles together.
The PIXMA G3260 is a wireless print, copy and scan MegaTank all-in-one with a rear paper tray. Its four front tanks are refilled from bottles, and each bottle nozzle is keyed to its own tank so you cannot pour the wrong color in. The black is pigment ink for sharp text; the colors are dye ink for bright photos.
GI-21 vs. GI-290: The Most Common Mistake
The G3260 replaced the G3200/G3202 generation, which used GI-290 ink. Many G3260 owners order GI-290 by habit — but the G3260 is a GI-21 printer. Check the number on your bottle before you buy. (The G7020 and G6020 use yet another series, GI-20; see our Canon G6020 ink guide.)
The MC-G02 Maintenance Cartridge
The G3260 has a user-replaceable maintenance cartridge, the Canon MC-G02, that absorbs waste ink from cleaning cycles. When it is full, the printer stops until you replace it. It is not the same part as the MC-G04 used by the newer G3270. Castle Ink does not stock maintenance cartridges; you can find the Canon MC-G02 on Amazon (as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases).
How to Refill the Canon PIXMA G3260
- With the printer on, open the scanning unit to reach the ink tank caps.
- Open the cap on the tank you are filling.
- Uncap the new bottle, turn it upside down and insert its nozzle into the matching tank inlet. Ink flows automatically and stops when the tank is full.
- Remove the bottle, close the tank cap firmly and close the scanning unit.
- Confirm the refill on the printer if prompted so the ink estimate resets.
Troubleshooting Tips
"Maintenance cartridge is full": Replace the MC-G02 from the back of the printer. Keep a spare, because the printer will not print until it is replaced.
Missing lines or faded color: Print a nozzle check, run Cleaning, then Deep Cleaning if needed. If a tank ran dry, refill it and run Ink Flush. See why is my Canon printer not printing.
Wrong ink was poured in: If GI-290 or a non-matching ink was added, stop printing and contact Canon support before running cleanings — mixing ink formulations can clog the printhead.
Ink-level warning after refilling: Confirm the refill on screen or in the Canon PRINT app to reset the estimated level; the printer counts dots rather than sensing the ink.
Which Other Printers Use GI-21 Ink?
GI-21 bottles also fit the Canon PIXMA G1220, G2260, PIXMA G3270, G1230, G2270, G3272 and G4270. The G1220 and G2260 share the G3260's MC-G02 maintenance cartridge.
What PIXMA G3260 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, Canon's support community and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Color stopped printing, and cleaning plus Ink Flush didn't fix it. What now?
If the nozzle check shows only black even with full tanks, Canon support has told owners the color print head (CH-20) likely needs replacing. Heads are sold through Canon Parts and parts aren't refundable, so talk to Canon first. Out-of-warranty owners were also pointed to Canon's discounted Upgrade Program.
It shows support code 5200 and the paper won't feed. Is that an ink problem?
Owners who hit 5200 found the rollers turning but the paper not feeding. A technician suspected the print heads, and Canon staff referred owners to Canon Parts for a head replacement. Contact Canon before buying more ink.
Does it print on both sides automatically?
No. Canon lists no automatic two-sided printing on the G3260, so you flip the pages by hand.
How much paper does it hold?
The rear tray holds 100 sheets of plain paper or 20 sheets of 4x6 photo paper, and it takes paper up to legal size.
Can I connect it with a cable?
Only by USB, and RTINGS notes the USB cable isn't in the box. There is no Ethernet port; otherwise it connects over 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.
PIXMA G3260 quirks worth knowing
- The print heads are separate, user-replaceable parts. The color head is Canon part CH-20, ordered through Canon Parts, so a failed color head doesn't have to mean a new printer.
- The head has 1,792 nozzles: 640 for the pigment black and 384 for each color. That is why black text stays sharp while the dye colors handle photos.
- Canon's warranty is 1 year or 30,000 pages, whichever comes first, with InstantExchange.
- It is not fast. Canon rates it at 10.8 images per minute in black and 6.0 in color, and RTINGS found it noticeably slower than the G2260.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Canon G3260 use GI-290 ink?
No. The G3260 uses GI-21. GI-290 is for the older G1200, G2200, G3200 and G4210 models.
Is the G3260 maintenance cartridge MC-G02 or MC-G04?
MC-G02. The MC-G04 is for the newer G3270 and its siblings.
How long does GI-21 ink last?
About 6,000 black pages per PGBK bottle and about 7,700 color pages per set of color bottles, according to Canon's ratings.
Can I use the same ink in the G3260 and G3270?
Yes. Both use GI-21 bottles; only their maintenance cartridges differ.
Other printers that use Canon GI-21 bottles
More Canon ink guides: Canon PIXMA TS3722 · Canon PIXMA TR4720 · Canon PIXMA MG3600 · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Epson EcoTank ET-2980 (cheapest to run) — CastleScore 90
- Canon PIXMA MegaTank G3290 — CastleScore 88
- Canon imageCLASS MF275dw (laser) — CastleScore 81
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 12, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement Canon ink cartridges? Shop Canon ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.