What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA G3270 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Canon PIXMA G3270 MegaTank (U.S. model) uses Canon GI-21 ink bottles — GI-21 PGBK pigment black plus GI-21 Cyan, Magenta and Yellow — and the MC-G04 maintenance cartridge. Castle Ink stocks compatible GI-21 bottles individually and in a 4-bottle combo pack.
Canon PIXMA G3270 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-G04 | Maintenance cartridge | 5813C001 | Replace when prompted |
*Canon quotes the color yield for a full set of cyan, magenta and yellow bottles together. Castle Ink's compatible PGBK bottle holds 170 ml, more than Canon's 135 ml bottle.
The PIXMA G3270 is a wireless print, copy and scan MegaTank all-in-one with a 100-sheet rear tray. Instead of cartridges it has four refillable tanks that you top up from bottles. Each bottle is keyed to fit only its matching tank, so colors cannot be mixed up. For our full take on the printer itself, read the Canon PIXMA G3270 review.
GI-21 vs. GI-31 vs. GI-20: Which Is Right?
U.S. G3270 printers use GI-21. Canon sells versions of this printer in other regions that take GI-31, and the older G6020/G7020 use GI-20. They are not interchangeable — check the number on the bottle that came with your printer, or on the label inside the tank cover, before ordering.
The MC-G04 Maintenance Cartridge
The G3270 has a user-replaceable maintenance cartridge, the Canon MC-G04, which collects the waste ink from cleaning cycles. When it fills, the printer stops and tells you to replace it. It is a two-minute swap from the back of the printer. Note that the older G3260 uses a different part (MC-G02), and the two are not interchangeable. Castle Ink does not stock maintenance cartridges; you can find the Canon MC-G04 on Amazon (as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases).
Buying GI-21 Ink at Castle Ink
Shop compatible GI-21 PGBK black, cyan, magenta and yellow bottles, or restock everything with the GI-21 combo 4-pack. Orders placed by 4 PM ET ship the same business day.
How to Refill the Canon PIXMA G3270
- With the printer on, open the scanning unit to expose the ink tank caps at the front of the printer.
- Open the cap of the tank you are refilling.
- Uncap the new bottle, turn it upside down and line up its nozzle with the tank inlet. Push it in gently — ink flows automatically and stops when the tank is full.
- Remove the bottle and close the tank cap firmly, then close the scanning unit.
- If the printer asks, confirm that you refilled the tank so the ink-level estimate resets.
Troubleshooting Tips
"Maintenance cartridge is full" message: Replace the MC-G04 maintenance cartridge. Buy a spare before you need it — the printer will not print until it is replaced.
Faint, streaky or missing colors: Print a nozzle check, then run Cleaning and, if needed, Deep Cleaning. Avoid repeated deep cleans in a row — each one sends ink to the maintenance cartridge. See why is my Canon printer not printing and printer printing the wrong colors.
Ink level warning after refilling: The G3270 estimates levels by counting dots. Confirm the refill on the printer or in the Canon PRINT app to reset the counter, and check the physical tank level visually.
Air in the ink line: Refill before any tank drops below the lower line. If a tank ran dry, refill it and run "Ink Flush" from the Maintenance menu.
Which Other Printers Use GI-21 Ink?
GI-21 bottles also fit the Canon PIXMA G1220, G2260, G3260, G1230, G2270, G3272 and G4270. The G1230, G2270, G3272 and G4270 share the G3270's MC-G04 maintenance cartridge, while the G1220, G2260 and G3260 use the MC-G02.
Official Canon PIXMA G3270 Resources
- Canon PIXMA G3270 product page
- Canon USA support and drivers
- How to recycle used ink cartridges and bottles
Bottom Line
The U.S. Canon PIXMA G3270 uses GI-21 ink bottles — PGBK black plus cyan, magenta and yellow — and an MC-G04 maintenance cartridge. Keep a spare MC-G04 on hand, refill before the tanks run dry, and grab the GI-21 combo pack to restock in one order.
Written and reviewed by William Elward — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer & imaging supplies industry. Updated October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use GI-20 or GI-290 in the G3270?
No. The U.S. G3270 takes GI-21 only. GI-20 is for the G6020/G7020 and GI-290 for older G-series models.
Is MC-G04 the same as MC-G02?
No. The G3270 uses MC-G04. The MC-G02 is for the G1220, G2260 and G3260 and will not fit.
Does the G3270 print two-sided automatically?
No. It is a simplex printer; two-sided printing is manual.
How many pages will a set of GI-21 bottles print?
Canon rates about 6,000 black pages per PGBK bottle and about 7,700 color pages per set of three color bottles.
Shop Ink at Castle Ink
Find the right cartridge for the Canon PIXMA G3270 and every other printer we cover on the Find Ink by Printer page, or work through a fault at our printer troubleshooting center. Shopping for a new machine? Try the PrinterIQ Finder, a 60-second quiz that matches you to a printer.
Buy the Canon PIXMA G3270 on Amazon: Canon PIXMA G3270 on Amazon — as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
See also: Canon PIXMA G3270 review | ink tank vs. cartridge printers | why is my Canon printer not printing
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.
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