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What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA iX6820 Use?

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Quick answer: The Canon PIXMA iX6820 uses Canon PGI-250 (pigment black), CLI-251 Black, CLI-251 Cyan, CLI-251 Magenta, and CLI-251 Yellow ink cartridges. The XL versions — PGI-250XL and CLI-251XL — give you up to 65% more ink for a much lower cost-per-page.

 

Canon PIXMA iX6820 Ink Cartridges at a Glance

  • Canon PGI-250 Pigment Black — ~300 pages
  • Canon CLI-251 Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow — ~300 pages each
  • Canon PGI-250XL Pigment Black — ~500 pages
  • Canon CLI-251XL Black/Cyan/Magenta/Yellow — ~660 pages each

The Canon PIXMA iX6820 is a wide-format wireless inkjet built for businesses and photographers who need to print up to 13×19" on a desktop. Because it has a separate pigment black for crisp text and four dye-based inks for photos and graphics, you'll always be juggling five cartridges instead of two.

Standard vs. XL: Why the iX6820 Practically Demands High-Yield

This printer chews through ink faster than a typical home all-in-one because of its larger paper path and frequent printhead priming. Standard PGI-250 and CLI-251 cartridges are fine for occasional use, but if you print weekly — especially photos — the XL versions pay for themselves on the second tank. The CLI-251XL holds more than twice the ink of the standard CLI-251.

Save on iX6820 Ink with the 5-Cartridge Bundle

Buying five OEM Canon cartridges at retail can run $80–$120 every refill cycle. Castle Ink's compatible Canon PGI-250XL / CLI-251XL Ink Bundle includes all five colors (Pigment Black, Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow) at a fraction of OEM pricing — every cartridge is chip-tested, backed by our satisfaction guarantee, and ships same-day from the U.S.

How to Replace Ink in the Canon PIXMA iX6820

  1. Power on the printer and lift the top cover. Wait for the printhead carriage to move to the center.
  2. Open the inner ink cartridge cover. Press the tab on the empty cartridge to release it, then lift it out.
  3. Remove the new cartridge from its packaging and pull off the orange protective cap. Do not touch the gold contact area.
  4. Slide the new cartridge into the matching color slot at an angle, then push down until you hear a click and the lamp lights up.
  5. Close the inner cover, then the top cover. The printer will automatically prime the printhead.

Troubleshooting Tips

  • "The following ink cartridge cannot be recognized" error: Reseat the cartridge and make sure the lamp lights solid red. If the lamp blinks, the chip isn't reading — wipe it gently and reinsert.
  • Banding or missing colors: Run a Nozzle Check from the printer driver. If a color is broken, follow with a Print Head Cleaning, then a Deep Cleaning if needed.
  • "Ink absorber almost full": This is a printer-life warning, not a cartridge issue. The iX6820 has an internal waste-ink sponge that fills over time.

Official Canon iX6820 Resources

For driver downloads, firmware updates, and the full user manual, visit the official Canon PIXMA iX6820 support page.

Bottom Line

The Canon PIXMA iX6820 takes one PGI-250 pigment black plus four CLI-251 dye cartridges. Choose the XL versions for any volume of printing and pick up Castle Ink's 5-pack compatible bundle to keep your wide-format printing affordable.

Written and reviewed by — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer & imaging supplies industry.

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