What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA MP980 Use?

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Quick answer: The Canon PIXMA MP980 photo all-in-one uses six separate ink tanks: one PGI-220 pigment black for text and five CLI-221 dye tanks (black, cyan, magenta, yellow and gray) for photos. Castle Ink stocks every tank, plus a 12-pack for $79.95.

The gray tank is what makes the MP980 different from most PGI-220/CLI-221 printers: it smooths black-and-white photos and neutral tones. Canon never sold XL versions of these tanks in the U.S. In Europe the equivalents are PGI-520 and CLI-521, which won't work in a U.S. MP980.

CastleScore · October 2026

79/100 — Recommended

Canon PIXMA MP980

Pillar (weight)ScoreWhat it is based on
Owner ratings (28%) — No retailer rating with enough reviews to use.
Expert reviews (18%) 80 Photography Blog 4/5
Cost per page (24%) 87 About 3.8¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured PGI-220 (about 344 pages) and CLI-221 colors (about 447 pages).
Reliability (13%) 70 Most-reported problems: 5B00 'service required' ink-absorber error; B200 printhead error; heavy ink use from cleaning cycles; scanning blocked when a tank runs low
Features (12%) 74 Print, copy, scan with film and slide adapter, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, memory card slots. No document feeder, no fax.
Value (5%) 72 Running cost and owner satisfaction

Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.

Discontinued and retired. Canon lists the MP980 as retired. PGI-220 and CLI-221 tanks are still sold.

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 14, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.

The cartridges, pictured

Our own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.

What Ink Cartridges Does the Canon PIXMA MP980 Take?

Tank Canon part no. Approx. yield Castle Ink option
PGI-220 Pigment Black 2945B001 ~344 pages Remanufactured PGI-220 Black
CLI-221 Black 2946B001 ~447 pages Remanufactured CLI-221 Black
CLI-221 Cyan 2947B001 ~447 pages Remanufactured CLI-221 Cyan
CLI-221 Magenta 2948B001 ~447 pages Remanufactured CLI-221 Magenta
CLI-221 Yellow 2949B001 ~447 pages Remanufactured CLI-221 Yellow
CLI-221 Gray 2950B001 ~447 pages Remanufactured CLI-221 Gray

Yields are Canon's estimates for standard documents; photo printing uses ink much faster, especially from the gray and color tanks.

Is Buying Ink Separately Worth It?

Yes, since photo printing drains the tanks unevenly. On October 14, 2026, Staples listed Canon's CLI-221 black at $19.99 and the gray at $17.00, so a full set of six original tanks runs well over $100. Our remanufactured PGI-220 and CLI-221 black are $7.99 each and the cyan is $7.95.

How Do I Replace the Ink in the Canon PIXMA MP980?

  1. Turn the printer on and open the paper output tray, then lift the scanning unit until it locks open.
  2. Wait for the print head holder to move to the replacement position.
  3. Press the tab on the empty tank and lift it out.
  4. Remove the new tank's orange protective cap and slide the tank into its matching color slot at an angle.
  5. Press down on the PUSH mark until it clicks and the tank's lamp lights red, then close the scanning unit.

Which Other Printers Use PGI-220 and CLI-221?

The PIXMA iP3600, iP4600 and iP4700, the MP560, MP620, MP640 and MP990, and the MX860 and MX870. Of those, only the MP990 also takes the CLI-221 gray tank.

What PIXMA MP980 owners ask

These are the questions that come up most for this printer in Canon's support community and owner reviews, answered in our words.

What does error 5B00 mean?

5B00 means the ink absorber (the waste ink pad) is full. This happens after years of cleaning cycles. Canon support or a repair shop has to replace the absorber and reset the counter; on a printer this old, many owners replace the printer instead.

What does error B200 mean?

B200 is a print head fault. Turn the printer off, unplug it for ten minutes, then reseat the print head and tanks. If the error comes back, the print head needs replacing.

Can it scan film and slides?

Yes. The lid has a built-in film adapter for 35mm negatives and slides, with a CCD scanner rated at 4800 x 9600 dpi. That's the main reason owners keep the MP980 running.

Why does it say the ink level can't be detected?

Refilled and some remanufactured tanks report no ink level. Press and hold Stop/Reset for at least five seconds to keep printing; ink-level detection turns off for that color.

PIXMA MP980 quirks worth knowing

  • Canon launched the MP980 in late 2008 at $299.99; it's long discontinued.
  • It prints, copies and scans, but doesn't fax.
  • Automatic two-sided printing, a 150-sheet cassette and a 150-sheet rear tray.
  • Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), Ethernet and USB, a 3.5-inch tilting LCD and memory card slots.
  • Photography Blog rated it 4 out of 5 for its photo quality and film scanning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ink does the Canon PIXMA MP980 use?

PGI-220 pigment black plus CLI-221 black, cyan, magenta, yellow and gray: six tanks in all.

Does the MP980 need the gray tank?

Yes. The printer won't print with any of its six slots empty.

Will PGI-520 or CLI-521 fit the MP980?

No. Those are the European versions, and Canon region-locks its tanks.

More Canon ink guides: Canon PIXMA TS3722 · Canon PIXMA TR4720 · Canon PIXMA MG3600 · find any printer

Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives

Sources

Ratings and prices were checked on October 14, 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.

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

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