What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA TR7020 Use?
Last Updated:Correction (October 2026): an earlier version of this guide said the TR7020 can fax and has a 20-sheet document feeder. It has no fax, and the feeder holds 35 sheets. It also said Canon doesn't publish page yields for PG-260 and CL-261. Canon does, and we've added them.
Quick answer: the Canon PIXMA TR7020 uses PG-260 pigment black and CL-261 tri-color, or the high-yield PG-260XL and CL-261XL. Two cartridges, and the XL versions are the only ones worth buying.
This model attracts more wrong cartridge answers than almost any Canon. If you have been told it takes PG-243/CL-244, PG-245/CL-246, PG-275/CL-276 or PG-280/CL-281, all four are wrong. Those are Canon's other two-cartridge families, and none of them are keyed for this printer. It is strictly PG-260/CL-261.
CastleScore · October 2026
78/100 — Recommended
Canon PIXMA TR7020
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 80 | 4.10★ average across 1,240 ratings at Best Buy (4.2), Amazon (4.0) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 80 | PCMag 4.0/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 74 | About 7.5¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured PG-260XL (400 pages) and CL-261XL (300 pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | 85 | Most-reported problems: support code 7700 after clearing a rear paper jam; error 1403 persists after new cartridges; printer won't power on and no replacement power supply can be found |
| Features (12%) | 72 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi. No fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 77 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Discontinued. Canon replaced the TR7020 with the TR7020a, which takes the same PG-260 and CL-261 cartridges.
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 12, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
PG-260XL + CL-261XL 2-pack3706C001 / 3724C001
PG-260XL Black3706C001 · ~400 pages
CL-261XL Tri-color3724C001 · ~300 pages
PG-260XL + CL-261XL 2-pack
PG-260XL Black
CL-261XL Tri-colorOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
Canon PIXMA TR7020 ink at a glance
| Cartridge | Part Number | Canon SKU | Ink Type | Approx. Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black (standard) | PG-260 | 3707C001 | Pigment | ~180 pages |
| Tri-Color (standard) | CL-261 | 3725C001 | Dye | ~180 pages |
| Black (high yield) | PG-260XL | 3706C001 | Pigment | ~400 pages |
| Tri-Color (high yield) | CL-261XL | 3724C001 | Dye | ~300 pages |
Those are Canon's ISO page yields from its own yield sheet for these cartridges. We sell remanufactured PG-260XL and CL-261XL.
PG-260 vs PG-260XL
Buy XL. On a two-cartridge printer the standard cartridges exist so the printer can ship with something in it — they are among the least economical consumables sold. Canon rates the PG-260XL at 400 pages against 180 for the standard black, and the CL-261XL at 300 against 180, and there is no XXL tier in this family, so XL is the largest size available.
The wider point about this printer: it is cheap to buy and expensive to feed. That is the trade-off of a tri-color design, where running out of one color means replacing all three. If your printing has grown since you bought it, a refillable tank printer will pay for itself quickly — our comparison of tank vs cartridge printers runs the numbers.
About the Canon PIXMA TR7020
The TR7020 is a compact home-office all-in-one: print, scan and copy (no fax), with a 35-sheet automatic document feeder, automatic duplex printing and a rear tray plus front cassette. Connectivity is 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and USB.
Canon has discontinued the TR7020 and replaced it with the TR7020a, which takes the same PG-260 and CL-261 cartridges. Canon still supports both.
Common problems on this model
Support code 1660 or "ink cartridge is not installed"
Reseat the cartridge until it clicks, and check the orange protective tape was fully removed — including the small strip over the vent hole, which is easy to miss.
Support code 1300 or 1303 — paper jam
1300 is a jam at the output slot; 1303 is a jam inside the printer. Our paper jam guide covers the Canon codes.
Color looks wrong after replacing one cartridge
Run a printhead alignment from the maintenance menu. On a tri-color design the alignment matters more than on individual-tank printers.
"The ink may have run out" but the cartridge is new
Reseat the cartridge and check that all the protective tape is off. If the cartridge has been refilled, the printer can no longer track its ink level, so the warning is expected.
What PIXMA TR7020 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 TR7020 send faxes?
No. Canon lists print, copy and scan only, and retail spec sheets confirm there is no fax.
How many pages does the document feeder hold?
35 sheets. It scans one side only, so two-sided originals have to be turned by hand.
How many pages do PG-260 and CL-261 cartridges really give?
Canon's ISO yield sheet rates PG-260 and CL-261 at 180 pages each, PG-260XL at 400 and CL-261XL at 300.
Will it connect to a 5 GHz network?
No. Canon lists Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n on 2.4 GHz only, plus USB and Wireless PictBridge.
What does support code 7700 mean?
A Canon community reply citing Canon's knowledge base calls it an internal communication fault, often tied to the cartridge or print head contacts. Clean the cartridge contacts, reseat both cartridges and unplug the printer for about 10 minutes. If it comes back, the printer needs service.
PIXMA TR7020 quirks worth knowing
- The color XL is less generous than the black XL. PG-260XL holds 14.3 ml against 7.5 ml in the standard black, but CL-261XL holds 12.2 ml against 8.3 ml.
- The rear tray takes up to 20 sheets of 4x6 or 10 of 5x7 photo paper. The 100-sheet front cassette is for plain paper.
- In Europe the same printer is sold as the PIXMA TS7450, but it takes PG-560 and CL-561 there, so cartridges bought abroad won't fit a U.S. TR7020.
- On a 1403 print head error, Canon support's first question is whether the cartridges are genuine. If the error stays after new cartridges, Canon's answer is service or its upgrade program.
FAQ
What ink does the Canon PIXMA TR7020 use?
PG-260 pigment black and CL-261 tri-color, or the high-yield PG-260XL and CL-261XL.
Does the TR7020 use PG-245 or PG-243 ink?
No. Those belong to older PIXMA MG and TS models. They are keyed differently and will not seat.
Is there a PG-260XXL?
No. XL is the largest size Canon made in this family.
Do the TR7020, TR7020a and TR7022 take the same ink?
Yes — all three use PG-260 and CL-261.
Can I print with just the black cartridge?
Only briefly and with reduced quality. Canon's two-cartridge printers need both installed for normal operation.
Other printers that use PG-260 and CL-261
Canon PIXMA TS5320 · Canon PIXMA TS6420 · Canon PIXMA TS6420a
More Canon ink guides: Canon PIXMA TS3722 · Canon PIXMA TR4720 · Canon PIXMA MG3600 · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Epson EcoTank ET-2980 (cheapest to run) — CastleScore 90
- Canon PIXMA MegaTank G3290 — CastleScore 88
- Canon imageCLASS MF275dw (laser) — CastleScore 81
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 12, 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.