What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA TR8520 Use?
Last Updated:The Canon PIXMA TR8520 is a wireless office all-in-one printer that uses Canon PGI-280 pigment black and CLI-281 dye-based cyan, magenta, yellow, and photo blue ink cartridges. Standard, XL, and XXL yields are available so you can match cartridge size to your print volume.
Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Yield Options |
|---|---|---|
| PGI-280 | Pigment Black | Standard, XL, XXL |
| CLI-281 | Black (dye) | Standard, XL, XXL |
| CLI-281 | Cyan | Standard, XL, XXL |
| CLI-281 | Magenta | Standard, XL, XXL |
| CLI-281 | Yellow | Standard, XL, XXL |
| CLI-281 | Photo Blue | Standard |
The PGI-280/CLI-281 cartridge family is also used by other Canon PIXMA models including the TR7520, TS6220, TS6320, TS8320, TS9120, and TS9520. Stock one set of cartridges to cover the whole family.
Save on PGI-280 and CLI-281 Ink
Castle Ink offers compatible PGI-280 and CLI-281 cartridges at significant savings versus OEM with the same page yield. Shop PGI-280 cartridges or browse CLI-281 colors for your TR8520.
How to Replace Ink in the Canon PIXMA TR8520
- Power on the printer and open the top scanner unit so the print head carriage slides to the center.
- Press the empty cartridge's tab and lift it out of its slot.
- Unwrap the replacement cartridge and remove the orange protective cap.
- Insert the cartridge into the matching color slot and press until it clicks into place.
- Close the scanner unit and let the printer align the print head when prompted.
Troubleshooting Tips
Cartridge not recognized: Take the cartridge out, wipe the gold contacts with a lint-free cloth, and reseat it firmly.
Faded or streaky prints: Run a print head cleaning from Setup > Maintenance. Run it up to three times before replacing ink.
Low ink warning that won't clear: Hold the Stop button for five seconds to acknowledge the warning and continue printing.
Print head error: Power cycle the printer; if the issue persists, remove and reseat each cartridge.
Official Canon Resources
Canon TR8520 Support Page | Canon Genuine Ink
Bottom Line
The Canon PIXMA TR8520 uses PGI-280 pigment black plus CLI-281 dye-based color cartridges. Choose XL or XXL for the lowest cost per page, and consider Castle Ink's compatibles for additional savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will PGI-270 cartridges fit the TR8520? No, the TR8520 only works with the PGI-280/CLI-281 family; PGI-270/CLI-271 will not fit.
Are XL cartridges worth it? Yes; XL and XXL cartridges deliver a lower per-page cost than standard yields with the same print quality.
Does the TR8520 require the photo blue cartridge to print? Yes, all five cartridges must be installed for normal operation, even when printing black-only documents.
Will compatible cartridges void my Canon warranty? No, compatible cartridges do not void your warranty under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act unless they cause damage.
How can I check ink levels? Tap the LCD home screen and select Setup > Estimated Ink Levels to see remaining ink for each cartridge.
Written by William Elward, founder of Castle Ink, with 20+ years of experience in the printer and ink industry.