What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA Pro-10 Use?
Last Updated:The Canon PIXMA Pro-10 is a professional 13-inch wide-format photo inkjet printer that uses ten individual Canon PGI-72 pigment-based cartridges: Photo Black, Matte Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Photo Cyan, Photo Magenta, Red, Gray, and Chroma Optimizer. Only standard yields are available for this professional series.
Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Yield Options |
|---|---|---|
| PGI-72 | Photo Black | Standard |
| PGI-72 | Matte Black | Standard |
| PGI-72 | Cyan | Standard |
| PGI-72 | Magenta | Standard |
| PGI-72 | Yellow | Standard |
| PGI-72 | Photo Cyan | Standard |
| PGI-72 | Photo Magenta | Standard |
| PGI-72 | Red | Standard |
| PGI-72 | Gray | Standard |
| PGI-72 | Chroma Optimizer | Standard |
The PGI-72 cartridge family is exclusive to the Canon PIXMA Pro-10 series. The 10-color LUCIA pigment-based ink system delivers museum-quality, archival-grade photo prints with the widest color gamut and longevity in the Pro line.
Save on PGI-72 Ink
Castle Ink offers compatible PGI-72 cartridges at significant savings versus OEM with matching page yields. Shop PGI-72 cartridges for your PIXMA Pro-10 to keep producing exhibition-quality prints affordably.
How to Replace Ink in the Canon PIXMA Pro-10
- Power on the Pro-10 and open the top cover; the cartridge holder slides to the access position and the inner cover lifts automatically.
- Press the tab on the empty cartridge and lift it straight up out of the print head.
- Unwrap the new cartridge and remove the orange protective cap from the bottom.
- Insert the cartridge into the matching color slot and press down until you hear a click and the LED lights.
- Close the top cover and let the printer perform a print head alignment if prompted.
Troubleshooting Tips
Cartridge not recognized: Remove the cartridge, wipe its gold contacts with a lint-free cloth, and reseat firmly until the LED illuminates.
Faded or off-color prints: Run a print head cleaning from the Canon software on your computer. The Pro-10 also offers a deep cleaning if a normal cleaning doesn't resolve the issue.
Switching between Photo Black and Matte Black: The Pro-10 uses both blacks simultaneously, unlike some printers that swap; if one runs out, you'll need to replace it before printing on that paper type.
Print head error: Power cycle the printer; if the error persists, remove and reseat all cartridges and the print head assembly.
Official Canon Resources
Canon Pro-10 Support Page | Canon Genuine Ink
Bottom Line
The Canon PIXMA Pro-10 uses ten PGI-72 pigment-based cartridges in a 10-color LUCIA system. Stock the full set including the Chroma Optimizer to maintain museum-quality archival output, and consider Castle Ink's compatible PGI-72 cartridges for additional savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Chroma Optimizer do? It's a clear coat that evens out the ink surface for uniform gloss, eliminates bronzing, and adds protection to your prints.
Will CLI-42 cartridges fit the Pro-10? No, the Pro-10 requires PGI-72 cartridges only; CLI-42 (used in the Pro-100) won't fit.
Are XL cartridges available for the Pro-10? No, the PGI-72 family ships only in standard yields.
Will compatibles void my warranty? No, compatible cartridges do not void your Canon warranty under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act unless they cause damage.
How do I check ink levels? Use the Canon Pro-10 software on your computer or the printer's status LEDs; each cartridge has a dedicated indicator light.
Written by William Elward, founder of Castle Ink, with 20+ years of experience in the printer and ink industry.