What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA Pro-100 Use?
Last Updated:The Canon PIXMA Pro-100 is a professional 13-inch wide-format photo inkjet printer that uses eight individual Canon CLI-42 dye-based cartridges: Black, Light Gray, Gray, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Photo Cyan, and Photo Magenta. Only standard yields are available for this professional series.
Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Yield Options |
|---|---|---|
| CLI-42 | Black | Standard |
| CLI-42 | Light Gray | Standard |
| CLI-42 | Gray | Standard |
| CLI-42 | Cyan | Standard |
| CLI-42 | Magenta | Standard |
| CLI-42 | Yellow | Standard |
| CLI-42 | Photo Cyan | Standard |
| CLI-42 | Photo Magenta | Standard |
The CLI-42 cartridge family is exclusive to the Canon PIXMA Pro-100 series (Pro-100, Pro-100S). The 8-color ChromaLife100+ dye-based ink system delivers gallery-quality photo prints with smooth gradations and deep blacks.
Save on CLI-42 Ink
Castle Ink offers compatible CLI-42 cartridges at significant savings versus OEM with matching page yields. Shop CLI-42 cartridges for your PIXMA Pro-100 to keep producing professional-quality photographic prints.
How to Replace Ink in the Canon PIXMA Pro-100
- Power on the Pro-100 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-100 also offers a deep cleaning if a normal cleaning doesn't resolve the issue.
Color casts in monochrome prints: Verify the three black/gray cartridges (Black, Gray, Light Gray) are installed and have ink; they're essential for neutral monochrome prints.
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-100 Support Page | Canon Genuine Ink
Bottom Line
The Canon PIXMA Pro-100 uses eight CLI-42 dye-based cartridges in an 8-color ChromaLife100+ system. Stock the full set to maintain gallery-quality photo output, and consider Castle Ink's compatible CLI-42 cartridges for additional savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will CLI-251 cartridges fit the Pro-100? No, the Pro-100 requires CLI-42 cartridges only; CLI-251 and other Canon families won't fit.
Are XL cartridges available for the Pro-100? No, the CLI-42 family ships only in standard yields; the Pro-100 is designed for professional users who replace cartridges as needed.
Why does the Pro-100 use both Gray and Light Gray? The two gray cartridges plus black create smoother tonal transitions and richer black-and-white prints than printers using only one black cartridge.
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-100 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.