What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA G6020 Use?
Last Updated:Correction (October 2026): an earlier version of this guide said the G6020 uses GI-21 bottles, including a dye black, and that it works with the HP Smart app. It uses four GI-20 bottles (pigment black, cyan, magenta and yellow), and its phone app is Canon PRINT.
CastleScore · October 2026
82/100 — Highly Recommended
Canon PIXMA G6020
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 74 | 3.80★ average across 293 ratings at Walmart (3.8) |
| 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-20 bottles (6,000 black / 7,700 color pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | 84 | Most-reported problems: streaking/banding and faded output on the G6020/G7020 GI-20 platform; no user-replaceable maintenance cartridge: cleaning ink goes to an internal absorber, which eventually needs Canon service |
| Features (12%) | 68 | Print, copy, scan, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, Ethernet. No document feeder, no fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 86 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Still sold new. Canon's U.S. store listed the G6020 in stock at $199.99 in October 2026, with GI-20 bottles on its compatibility list.
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 9, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The ink bottles, pictured
GI-20 4-pack
GI-20 Black
GI-20 CyanOur own compatible ink bottles, photographed in-house.
Quick answer: what ink does the Canon PIXMA G6020 use?
The Canon PIXMA G6020 uses four Canon GI-20 ink bottles: pigment black (PGBK), cyan, magenta, and yellow. You refill the built-in MegaTank tanks from the bottles; there are no cartridges or chips.
Bottle options at a glance
| Bottle | Part number | Approx. yield* |
|---|---|---|
| Canon GI-20 PGBK (170 ml) | 3383C001 | ~6,000 pages |
| Canon GI-20 C / M / Y (70 ml each) | 3394C001 / 3395C001 / 3396C001 | ~7,700 pages (color set) |
*Approximate Canon-rated yields based on ISO/IEC test pages. Real-world results depend on coverage and how often the printer runs cleaning or calibration cycles.
Common questions about Canon PIXMA G6020 ink
How long does a set of GI-20 bottles last?
Canon rates a GI-20 black bottle at about 6,000 pages and a set of color bottles at about 7,700 pages. For typical home use that's many months to a couple of years. See Refillable ink tank vs. cartridge printers.
What other printers use Canon GI-20?
The same bottles fit the PIXMA G5020 (print only) and G7020 (adds fax and a document feeder). If you own more than one, a single stock covers them all.
Will other Canon bottles fit the G6020?
No. GI-290 bottles (PIXMA G2200, G3200, G4200) and GI-21 bottles (G3270, G4270) have different nozzles and inks. Canon keys each bottle so it only fits its own printers. Always match the number on your current bottle.
How do I refill the ink tanks?
Open the scanner unit, then the ink tank cover. Open the tank cap for the color you're filling, remove the bottle cap, and stand the bottle nozzle-down in the matching inlet. Ink flows in and stops automatically when the tank is full. Remove the bottle, close the tank cap and covers, and if the printer asks, confirm the refill so its ink-level estimate resets. Don't let a tank drop below the lower line; air in the ink lines causes missing colors.
Are compatible ink bottles safe for the G6020?
Yes, if they're made for GI-20. MegaTank bottles have no chips, so firmware can't lock out third-party ink. Don't mix brands in the same tank, and fill a tank completely before switching. Using third-party ink doesn't void your warranty under U.S. law. More: Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink and toner and Does compatible ink void your printer warranty?.
Why are my prints faded, streaky, or missing a color after refilling?
Usually it's air in the lines or a partial clog. Print a nozzle check, run one or two cleanings, and let the printer rest a few hours if gaps remain. Canon's System Cleaning (deep cleaning) clears air but uses a lot of ink, so save it for last. More: How to clean Canon printer heads and Why is my printer printing streaks?.
Does the G6020 have a replaceable maintenance cartridge?
No. Canon says the G6020 has no user-replaceable maintenance cartridge. Ink from cleaning cycles goes to an internal absorber; if that fills after years of heavy cleaning, the printer shows an ink absorber error and needs Canon service. Running fewer deep cleanings keeps it from filling early.
Does the G6020 print double-sided?
Yes. It supports automatic two-sided printing.
G6020 key facts
- Type: MegaTank wireless all-in-one (print, scan, copy; no fax, no document feeder)
- Ink: 4 GI-20 bottles (PGBK, C, M, Y)
- Duplex: automatic
- Maintenance cartridge: none user-replaceable
- Connections: Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz), Ethernet, USB
- Phone app: Canon PRINT (also AirPrint and Mopria)
- Same ink as: PIXMA G5020, G7020
What PIXMA G6020 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.
Is there an economy mode that stretches the black ink?
Yes. Canon rates the black at up to 6,000 pages in the default mode and up to 8,300 pages in economy mode. The color rating stays at about 7,700 pages a set.
Can I connect it by Ethernet, or to a 5 GHz network?
Ethernet, yes: it has a 10/100 port as well as USB. Its Wi-Fi works on 2.4 GHz only, so if it keeps dropping off the network, check that your router's 2.4 GHz band is on.
Which app do I use to print from my phone?
Canon PRINT, plus Easy-PhotoPrint Editor for photo projects. It also works with AirPrint and Mopria. It does not use HP Smart, which is for HP printers.
How much paper does it hold?
A 250-sheet front cassette for plain paper plus a 100-sheet rear tray, which also takes 20 sheets of 4x6 photo paper.
PIXMA G6020 quirks worth knowing
- Canon shipped the G6020 with two extra black bottles in the box and said that was up to two years of ink at about 200 pages a month.
- Canon support staff say the cleaning-cycle ink in the internal absorber "will evaporate over time". That is one more reason to keep deep cleanings for when you really need them.
- Color printing is slow at about 6.8 ISO pages per minute, and the control panel is a 2-line LCD, not a touchscreen.
- There is no document feeder and no fax. The G7020 adds both and takes the same GI-20 bottles.
Other printers that use Canon GI-20 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 9, 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.