What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA MX712 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Canon PIXMA MX712 uses five ink tanks: PGI-225 pigment black plus CLI-226 black, cyan, magenta and yellow. Castle Ink sells a remanufactured PGI-225/CLI-226 5-pack and singles: PGI-225 Black, CLI-226 Black, CLI-226 Cyan, CLI-226 Magenta and CLI-226 Yellow.
CastleScore · November 2026
69/100 — Situational
Canon PIXMA MX712
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (24%) | 72 | About 2.9¢ per black page with our remanufactured PGI-225 (about 340 pages) and roughly 1.8¢ per color cartridge-page with CLI-226. |
| Reliability (13%) | 74 | Owners mention printhead errors and the five-tank system running through color ink quickly. |
| Features (12%) | 78 | Print, copy, scan, fax, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, Ethernet. |
| Value (5%) | — | Not scored without owner ratings |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings or published expert scores for this printer, so those weights are spread across the other pillars. With neither owner ratings nor a published expert score, we cap this printer at 69 (Situational) until better data is available.
Older model. This printer is no longer a current model, but its PGI-225 and CLI-226 cartridges are still widely sold, including our remanufactured versions.
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked November 6, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA MX712 Take?
| Tank | Canon part no. | What it prints | Castle Ink option |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGI-225 Pigment Black | 4530B001 | Text and documents (~340 pages) | Remanufactured, $9.95 |
| CLI-226 Black (dye) | 4546B001 | Photos and graphics | Remanufactured, $8.95 |
| CLI-226 Cyan | 4547B001 | Color | Remanufactured, $8.95 |
| CLI-226 Magenta | 4548B001 | Color | Remanufactured, $8.95 |
| CLI-226 Yellow | 4549B001 | Color | Remanufactured, $8.95 |
| 5-pack | All five | One of each | Remanufactured, $24.99 |
The MX712 has two blacks: the pigment PGI-225 for sharp text and the dye CLI-226 for photos. You need both installed. Our tanks are original Canon cartridges, cleaned, refilled and tested.
What Does MX712 Ink Cost per Page?
About 2.9¢ per text page with our remanufactured PGI-225, and the 5-pack at $24.99 is the cheapest way to refill all five tanks.
How Do I Replace the Ink in the MX712?
- Turn the printer on and lift the scanner unit until it locks.
- Wait for the print head holder to move to the replacement position.
- Push the tab on the empty tank and lift it out.
- Remove the orange cap from the new tank and press it into its color slot until the lamp lights.
- Lower the scanner unit.
Which Other Printers Use PGI-225 and CLI-226?
The PIXMA MX892, MX882, MG5220, MG5320 and MG6220.
What MX712 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, support forums and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Why does it use color ink for black text?
Canon uses some color and the dye black during maintenance and for certain modes, so all five tanks drain over time.
The ink lamp on a new tank won't light. What now?
Press the tank down firmly until it clicks; if the lamp still won't light, reseat it once more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ink does the Canon PIXMA MX712 use?
PGI-225 pigment black plus CLI-226 black, cyan, magenta and yellow.
Does PGI-250 fit the MX712?
No. PGI-250/CLI-251 is for the later MX722 and MX922.
How many ink tanks does the MX712 hold?
Five: two blacks and three colors.
Other printers that use PGI-225 and CLI-226
Canon PIXMA MX892 · Canon PIXMA MX882 · Canon PIXMA MG5220 · Canon PIXMA MG6220
More Canon ink guides: Canon PIXMA MX922 · Canon PIXMA MX492 · Canon MAXIFY MB5120 · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Epson EcoTank ET-2980 (cheapest to run) — CastleScore 90
- Brother MFC-T780DW — CastleScore 90
- Brother MFC-J4335DW — CastleScore 89
Sources
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.