What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA iP8720 Use?
Last Updated:Shopping for this printer? See all Canon PGI-250 & CLI-251 Ink Cartridges – 250XL & 251XL → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
CastleScore · October 2026
78/100 — Recommended
Canon PIXMA iP8720
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 78 | 4.00★ average across 2,621 ratings at Amazon (4.0) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 80 | PCMag 4.0/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 90 | About 2.9¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured PGI-250XL (500 pages) and CLI-251XL colors (about 680 pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | 84 | Most-reported problems: support code B200; sudden stop with support code 5100; paper pulled in crookedly from the sheet feeder |
| Features (12%) | 46 | Wi-Fi. No document feeder, no auto two-sided printing, no fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 84 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Discontinued. Canon's own store marks the iP8720 as discontinued, although the listing still showed a $299.99 price in October 2026.
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 11, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
PGI-250XL / CLI-251XL 5-packPGBK + BK/C/M/Y
PGI-250XL Black6432B001 · ~500 pages
CLI-251XL Cyan6449B001
CLI-251XL Magenta6450B001
PGI-250XL / CLI-251XL 5-pack
PGI-250XL Black
CLI-251XL Cyan
CLI-251XL MagentaOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
Quick answer: what ink does the Canon PIXMA iP8720 use?
The Canon PIXMA iP8720 uses six individual ink tanks: PGI-250 pigment black plus CLI-251 black, cyan, magenta, yellow, and gray. High-yield PGI-250XL and CLI-251XL tanks fit the same slots, and you replace only the color that runs out. The gray tank is what separates this model from the five-ink PGI-250 printers.
Cartridge options at a glance
| Cartridge | Type | Approx. yield* |
|---|---|---|
| Canon PGI-250 / PGI-250XL | Pigment black (text) | ~300 / ~500 pages |
| Canon CLI-251 / CLI-251XL cyan, magenta, yellow | Dye color | ~300–330 / ~660–695 pages each |
| Canon CLI-251 / CLI-251XL black | Dye black (photos) | ~1,105 / ~4,425 pages |
| Canon CLI-251 / CLI-251XL gray | Dye gray (photos) | Rated in photos |
*Approximate Canon-rated yields based on ISO/IEC test pages. Real-world results depend on coverage, photo printing, and cleaning cycles.
Common questions about Canon PIXMA iP8720 ink
Standard or XL: which should I buy?
XL. PGI-250XL is rated for about 500 text pages versus 300 for standard, and the CLI-251XL colors roughly double the standard yield, so the cost per page drops sharply. Because the tanks are separate, you can also buy XL only for the colors you use most. See Is XL ink actually worth it? Standard vs. XL with real numbers.
What other printers use PGI-250/CLI-251 ink?
The five-ink models are the PIXMA MG5420, MG5520, MG5620, MG6420, MG6620, iP7220, iX6820, MX722, MX922, and MG5422. The six-ink models that add a gray tank are the PIXMA MG6320, MG7120, and MG7520. Every size of the shared colors fits all of them, so one stock of cartridges covers several printers.
Will other Canon cartridges fit the iP8720?
No. PGI-270/CLI-271 (used by the PIXMA MG5720, MG6820, and TS5020) and PGI-225/CLI-226 (used by the MG5320 and MG6120) look almost identical but have different chips and notches. Always match the number printed on your current cartridge.
Why are there two black cartridges?
They do different jobs. The larger pigment black (PGI) prints sharp, smudge-resistant text on plain paper. The dye black (CLI) is used for photos and glossy paper, where pigment ink would sit on the surface. Both must be installed, and on plain-paper documents the pigment black does most of the work.
Are compatible or remanufactured cartridges safe for the iP8720?
Yes. Our PGI-250XL and CLI-251XL tanks are remanufactured, and using non-Canon tanks doesn't void your warranty under U.S. law. The printer may show a message about a non-genuine or refilled cartridge and stop showing the ink level for that tank; choose OK or Continue and printing carries on. More: Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink and Does compatible ink void your printer warranty?.
How do I replace the ink in the iP8720?
Turn the printer on and open the top cover; the print head holder moves to the replacement position. Press the tab on the empty tank and lift it out. Remove the new tank from its bag, pull off the orange protective cap, insert it front end first, and press the top until it clicks. Match the color labels on the holder. The tank's lamp lights red when it's seated correctly. Walkthrough: How to replace the ink in a Canon PIXMA printer.
Why won't the iP8720 recognize a new tank?
Make sure the orange cap and any film are removed, press down on the tank until its lamp lights, and check that it's in the slot with the matching color label. If the lamp stays off, remove the tank, wipe the contacts with a dry lint-free cloth, reinstall it, and power-cycle the printer. More fixes: Printer says ink cartridge not recognized: how to fix it.
Why are iP8720 prints faded, streaky, or missing a color?
The print head is built into the printer, so a clogged nozzle won't be fixed by a new tank alone. Print a nozzle check, run a cleaning, and if gaps remain, a deep cleaning; let the printer rest a few hours if it still streaks. If lines look jagged or doubled rather than faded, align the print head. Guides: How to clean Canon printer heads, Faded or streaky prints: causes and fixes, and our print head alignment guide.
Can I keep printing when one tank is empty?
Canon printers stop when a tank runs out. On many models you can override the warning by holding Stop for about 5 seconds, but Canon cautions that printing with an empty tank can damage the built-in print head, so replace it as soon as you can. Keeping a spare pigment black on hand avoids most downtime.
Can the iP8720 print 13 x 19?
Yes. It prints borderless photos up to 13 x 19 inches from the rear tray. For the best results, see How to print photos at home that look like a lab print and Glossy vs. matte vs. luster photo paper.
What does the gray tank do?
The CLI-251 gray tank smooths gradients and improves black-and-white photos. It's one of six tanks the iP8720 needs installed to print.
iP8720 key facts
- Type: wireless wide-format photo printer (print only; no scanner, no screen)
- Duplex: manual only
- Extras: CD/DVD/Blu-ray disc printing, AirPrint
- Paper: 150-sheet rear sheet feeder
- Ink: 6 individual tanks, PGI-250 + CLI-251 BK/C/M/Y/GY (XL fits)
- Max paper size: 13 x 19 in.
What PIXMA iP8720 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.
Can it print on CDs and DVDs?
Yes. Canon lists printing on printable CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs, using the disc tray that comes with the printer.
Can it scan or copy?
No. The iP8720 is a print-only photo printer, with no scanner and no screen.
It shows support code B200. Can I fix it myself?
Canon support says B200 means the printer needs service. Out of warranty, Canon points owners to its discounted Upgrade Program rather than a repair.
Does it print two-sided automatically?
No. Two-sided printing is manual: you turn the pages over and feed them back in.
Can I print from an iPhone or iPad?
Yes. It supports Apple AirPrint over Wi-Fi.
PIXMA iP8720 quirks worth knowing
- The CLI-251 dye black lasts far longer than the pigment black: about 1,105 pages standard and 4,425 XL, against 300 and 500 for the PGI-250. On documents, the PGI-250 is the tank you will replace most.
- There is no display at all. Ink and error status show on the printer's lamps and in the driver on your computer.
- Replacement print heads are hard to find. Canon's community moderators send owners to phone support to check availability.
- Canon's support page lists no firmware updates for the iP8720, and its official OS list stops at Windows 8.1 and Mac OS X 10.9.
Other printers that use PGI-250 and CLI-251
Canon PIXMA iX6820 · Canon PIXMA MX922 · Canon PIXMA MG6320 · Canon PIXMA MG6620 · Canon PIXMA MG7520 · Canon PIXMA MG6420 · Canon PIXMA MX722 · Canon PIXMA iP7220
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 11, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement Canon PGI-250 & CLI-251 Ink Cartridges – 250XL & 251XL? Shop Canon PGI-250 & CLI-251 Ink Cartridges – 250XL & 251XL at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.