What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA TR4527 Use?

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Quick answer: The Canon PIXMA TR4527 uses two cartridges: PG-243 black and CL-244 color, or the higher-yield PG-245XL and CL-246XL. Castle Ink’s remanufactured PG-245XL black is $21.95 and CL-246XL color is $24.95.

CastleScore · October 2026

78/100 — Recommended

Canon PIXMA TR4527

Pillar (weight)ScoreWhat it is based on
Owner ratings (28%) 78 4.00★ average across 2,774 ratings at Amazon (4.0)
Expert reviews (18%) 80 PCMag (TR4520) 4.0/5
Cost per page (24%) 73 About 7.7¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured PG-245XL and CL-246XL (about 300 pages each).
Reliability (13%) 86 Most-reported problems: text prints faint grey/purple or not at all while graphics print normally; error 7800 at power-on with the carriage not moving to the replacement position
Features (12%) 78 Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, fax, Wi-Fi. No touchscreen.
Value (5%) 76 Running cost and owner satisfaction

Hard to find new. Mainstream U.S. retailers no longer stock the TR4527; it now turns up mainly from marketplace sellers. PG-243/245 and CL-244/246 cartridges are still easy to buy.

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 10, 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 TR4527 Use?

Cartridge Color Approx. yield Castle Ink
PG-243 Black ~180 pages Upgrade to PG-245XL
CL-244 Tri-color ~180 pages Upgrade to CL-246XL
PG-245XL Black (high yield) ~300 pages PG-245XL, $21.95
CL-246XL Tri-color (high yield) ~300 pages CL-246XL, $24.95

Yields are the manufacturer's ISO estimates at about 5% coverage; photos and heavy graphics use more ink. Castle Ink prices checked September 2026. PG-243/CL-244 (low capacity), PG-245/CL-246 (standard, also about 180 pages) and PG-245XL/CL-246XL all fit the same slots in this printer.

Which Printers Use the Same Ink as the TR4527?

The PG-243/245 and CL-244/246 family fits many PIXMA models, including the TR4520, TR4522, TR4527, TS3120, TS3122, TS3320, TS302, TS202, MG2420, MG2520, MG2920, MG2922, MG3020, MX492 and iP2820. Look up any model in our find ink by printer directory.

What Is the Cheapest Ink for the TR4527?

Remanufactured PG-245XL and CL-246XL are the cheapest per page. In our August 2026 Printer Ink Price Index, Canon’s PG-245XL black cost $37.99 (about 12.7¢ a page) versus $21.95 (about 7.3¢) for Castle Ink’s remanufactured version. Because Canon PG/CL cartridges include the print head, every replacement cartridge comes with its own print head. Ours reuse the original Canon head, cleaned, refilled and tested.

Can I Use PG-245XL Instead of PG-243 in the TR4527?

Yes, and you should. PG-243/CL-244 are the low-capacity versions; PG-245XL and CL-246XL fit the same slots and hold more ink, for a lower cost per page.

How Do I Replace the Ink in the Canon PIXMA TR4527?

  1. Turn the printer on and open the front cover and the cartridge cover; the holder moves to the replacement position.
  2. Push the empty cartridge down and lift it out (on some models, open the lock lever first).
  3. Remove the new cartridge from its packaging and peel off the orange protective tape. Don't touch the gold contacts or print head nozzles.
  4. Insert the cartridge at a slight angle into its slot (color on the left, black on the right) and push up until it clicks, then close the lock lever if your model has one.
  5. Close the covers. If prompted about a non-genuine or refilled cartridge, confirm to continue.

Will Remanufactured Ink Work in the TR4527?

Yes. Canon PIXMA printers are generally friendly to third-party cartridges. You may see a message that a non-genuine or refilled cartridge is installed, or that the ink level can't be detected; confirm to continue printing, and keep a spare of the colors you use most since levels may not display. Using third-party ink does not void your warranty (here's why).

Why Does My TR4527 Say the Cartridge Isn't Recognized?

Remove the cartridge, make sure all protective tape and caps are off, wipe the chip or copper contacts gently with a dry lint-free cloth, and reinstall until it clicks. Confirm the part number matches this printer, then restart. Full steps: ink cartridge not recognized.

How Do I Fix Streaky or Faded Prints on the TR4527?

From the printer's Setup/Maintenance menu (or the Canon IJ utility on your computer), print a nozzle check, then run one Cleaning cycle and check again; use Deep Cleaning only if needed. See how to clean Canon printer heads.

What Are the Canon PIXMA TR4527's Key Features?

The PIXMA TR4527 is a compact wireless 4-in-1 (print, scan, copy, fax) with a 20-sheet automatic document feeder, automatic two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, and AirPrint and Canon PRINT app support.

Is the TR4527 Still Worth Using in 2026?

Yes, for light home printing. The cartridges are small, so if you print a lot, compare running costs with an ink tank model in our cheapest-ink printers guide. Compare current models in our printer buying guide, or take the ~60-second PrinterIQ Finder quiz.

For drivers and the manual, visit the Canon PIXMA TR4527 support page.

Canon PIXMA TR4527 Ink FAQs

What ink does the Canon PIXMA TR4527 use?

Canon PG-243 black and CL-244 color cartridges, or the high-yield PG-245XL and CL-246XL.

Is PG-243 the same as PG-245?

They’re the same cartridge design in different sizes. Canon lists PG-243 at 5.6 ml, PG-245 at 8.9 ml and PG-245XL at 12.0 ml, and all three fit the TR4527.

Can the TR4527 print with only one cartridge?

Canon generally requires both cartridges installed. Replace an empty cartridge promptly to protect the print head.

Does the TR4527 fax?

Yes, it has a built-in fax and a 20-sheet ADF.

Are remanufactured cartridges safe for the TR4527?

Yes, from a reputable seller. See are compatible ink cartridges safe?

Need help choosing? Contact us with your printer model. Orders placed by 4 PM ET Monday–Friday ship the same day, with free shipping over $50.

What PIXMA TR4527 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.

Text prints faint or not at all, but pictures look fine.

That points to the black cartridge, which carries its own print head. Run a nozzle check and a cleaning. If the black part of the pattern is still missing, replace the PG-243/PG-245 black cartridge.

It shows error 7800 when I turn it on, and the cartridge holder won't move.

Because the holder won't move to the replacement position, you can't even change cartridges. The printer's own advice for this error is to contact Canon service.

Will it connect to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network?

No. Canon lists 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi on 2.4 GHz only. It also connects by Hi-Speed USB.

How many faxes can it store if it runs out of ink?

Canon lists about 50 pages of fax memory.

How fast does it print?

Canon rates it at about 8.8 pages a minute in black and 4.4 in color (ISO ESAT). Color is slow, so long color jobs take a while.

PIXMA TR4527 quirks worth knowing

  • All 1,280 nozzles (320 for pigment black, 960 for color) are in the two FINE cartridges, so every new cartridge comes with its own print head.
  • Color fax is slow: Canon rates about 60 seconds a page for color against about 3 seconds for black.
  • Paper loads in a front cassette (100 plain sheets, 20 sheets of 4×6 or 10 of 5×7), not a rear tray. The document feeder takes 20 letter sheets or 5 legal.
  • Some TR4527s sold online in the U.S. are Canada-market units that Canon USA won't register for support. Check before you rely on a warranty claim.

Other printers that use PG-245 and CL-246

Canon PIXMA MX490 · Canon PIXMA MG2922 · Canon PIXMA TS3120 · Canon PIXMA TR4522 · Canon PIXMA iP2820 · Canon PIXMA MG3029 · Canon PIXMA MG2525 · Canon PIXMA MG2520

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 10, 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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