What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA Pro-100 Use?

CastleScore · October 2026

80/100 — Highly Recommended

Canon PIXMA Pro-100

Pillar (weight)ScoreWhat it is based on
Owner ratings (28%) 87 4.44★ average across 428 ratings at Best Buy (4.7), Amazon (4.0)
Expert reviews (18%) 80 PCMag 4.0/5
Cost per page (24%) — Not scored: Canon does not publish page yields for these tanks, so we cannot calculate an honest cost per page.
Reliability (13%) 84 Most-reported problems: paper feeding unreliable with small batches of 4x6 photo paper; wi-Fi setup unreliable
Features (12%) 55 Wi-Fi, Ethernet. No document feeder, no auto two-sided printing, no fax, no touchscreen.
Value (5%) 87 Running cost and owner satisfaction

Discontinued. Canon replaced it with the PRO-100S, which takes the same CLI-42 tanks. The current PRO-200 and PRO-200S use different CLI-65 ink.

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 7, 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.

Quick answer: what ink does the Canon PIXMA PRO-100 use?

The Canon PIXMA PRO-100 uses eight individual Canon CLI-42 dye ink tanks: black, gray, light gray, cyan, magenta, yellow, photo cyan, and photo magenta. CLI-42 comes in one size only, and you replace each color as it runs out.

Canon PIXMA PRO-100 ink chart: CLI-42 cartridges, yields, and printers that use the same ink
CLI-42 cartridges for the Canon PIXMA PRO-100, and the printers that share them.

Cartridge options at a glance

Cartridge Type Approx. yield*
Canon CLI-42 BK / GY / LGY Black, gray, light gray Rated in photos
Canon CLI-42 C / M / Y Cyan, magenta, yellow Rated in photos
Canon CLI-42 PC / PM Photo cyan, photo magenta Rated in photos

*Canon rates CLI-42 tanks in photo prints, not ISO text pages. Each tank holds 13 ml, and how fast it empties depends on the images you print and on cleaning cycles.

Common questions about Canon PIXMA PRO-100 ink

Is there an XL version of CLI-42?

No. Canon sells CLI-42 in one size. Because the PRO-100 prints mostly photos, Canon rates these tanks in photos rather than text pages; how fast each color empties depends on the images you print.

What other printers use CLI-42 ink?

The same cartridges fit the PIXMA PRO-100S. If you own two of these printers, one stock of cartridges covers both.

Will other Canon cartridges fit the PRO-100?

No. The PIXMA PRO-10 uses pigment PGI-72 tanks, and older pro models such as the PRO9000 used CLI-8. Neither fits the PRO-100. Always match the number printed on your current cartridge.

Are compatible or remanufactured cartridges safe for the PRO-100?

Yes. We sell remanufactured CLI-42 tanks in all eight colors, and using them doesn't void your printer 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 PRO-100?

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 PRO-100 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 PRO-100 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. CLI-42 tanks are small, so keeping spares of the colors you use most avoids downtime.

What are the gray and light gray tanks for?

They let the PRO-100 print neutral black-and-white photos and smoother gradients than a standard four-color printer. Every tank must be installed to print. For more, see How to print photos at home that look like a lab print.

Can the PRO-100 print 13 x 19?

Yes. It prints borderless photos up to 13 x 19 inches. Paper choice matters a lot on this printer; see Glossy vs. matte vs. luster photo paper.

Is the PRO-100 the same as the PRO-100S?

They're the same design and both use CLI-42 tanks. The PRO-100S is the later retail version.

PRO-100 key facts

  • Type: wireless wide-format photo printer (print only)
  • Ink: 8 individual CLI-42 dye tanks
  • Max paper size: 13 x 19 in.
  • Same ink as: PRO-100S

What PIXMA PRO-100 owners ask

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

Can the PRO-100 scan or copy?

No. It is a print-only photo printer. There is no scanner and no copier.

Can I print from my phone without a router?

Not on the original PRO-100. Owners on Best Buy say Wi-Fi Direct arrived with the PRO-100S. The PRO-100 needs your Wi-Fi network, Ethernet or USB.

Wi-Fi setup keeps failing. What do owners do?

Reviewers found wireless setup unreliable and needed a USB cable to configure it. Connect by USB first, set up Wi-Fi from your computer, then unplug.

Why does it pick up two 4x6 sheets at once?

Expert Reviews found feeding was unreliable with small stacks of 4x6 photo paper. It works better with a fuller tray. The rear tray holds up to 20 sheets of 4x6.

Can it print on thick fine-art paper or discs?

Yes. Thick sheets go through the single-sheet manual feeder, and it handles cardstock and canvas up to 13 x 19 in. It also prints on printable CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs.

PIXMA PRO-100 quirks worth knowing

  • It has no LCD screen. You set it up and check ink from your computer or phone, and each tank has its own lamp.
  • Three of its eight inks are monochrome (black, gray and light gray), which is why its black-and-white prints come out neutral instead of tinted.
  • It is big: 27.2 inches wide and 43.2 lb before you extend the trays. Measure your desk.
  • Don't buy ink for its successor by mistake. The PRO-100S shares CLI-42, but the PRO-200 and PRO-200S use CLI-65, which does not fit.

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 7, 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.