What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA iP8720 Use?

Last updated: September 27, 2026. Reviewed by William Elward, founder of Castle Ink.

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

*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. Quality compatible and remanufactured cartridges print like OEM, and using them doesn't void your warranty under U.S. law. The printer may show a message about a non-genuine or refilled cartridge; choose OK or Continue and print normally. 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)
• Ink: 6 individual tanks, PGI-250 + CLI-251 BK/C/M/Y/GY (XL fits)
• Max paper size: 13 x 19 in.

Shop iP8720 ink at Castle Ink

• PGI-250XL / CLI-251XL multi-pack
• XL singles: PGI-250XL pigment black, CLI-251XL black, cyan, magenta, yellow
• CLI-251XL gray (or remanufactured gray)
• Browse all Canon ink cartridges

Castle Ink compatibles and remanufactured cartridges typically cost 50–70% less than Canon retail and are backed by our 1-year satisfaction guarantee. Estimate your savings with the Printer ink cost calculator.

Official Canon resources

Canon PIXMA iP8720 support, drivers, and manuals

Related guides

• How to replace the ink in a Canon PIXMA printer
• How to clean Canon printer heads
• Printer says ink cartridge not recognized: how to fix it
• How to print photos at home that look like a lab print
• Glossy vs. matte vs. luster photo paper
• What is borderless printing?

Buy genuine Canon PGI-250XL on Amazon: Canon PGI-250XL 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.