What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA TS202 Use?

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Shopping for this printer? See all Canon PG-245 & CL-246 Ink Cartridges – 245XL & 246XL → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.

CastleScore · October 2026

71/100 — Recommended

Canon PIXMA TS202

Pillar (weight)ScoreWhat it is based on
Owner ratings (28%) 76 3.90★ average across 6,951 ratings at Amazon (3.9)
Expert reviews (18%) — No published numeric expert score we could verify.
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: paper not feeding or repeated jams from the rear tray; some units reported failing within months, with difficulty getting warranty help
Features (12%) 40 Print only, over USB. No document feeder, no auto two-sided printing, no fax, no touchscreen.
Value (5%) 74 Running cost and owner satisfaction

Limited data: We could not find enough published expert scores for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.

Discontinued. B&H and Adorama both list the TS202 as no longer available, and Canon hasn't named a successor. PG-245 and CL-246 cartridges are still sold.

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 11, 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 TS202 use?

The Canon PIXMA TS202 uses Canon PG-245 ink — two FINE cartridges: one black and one tri-color (cyan, magenta, yellow in a single cartridge). In the U.S. it ships with Canon PG-243 black and CL-244 color, and it also accepts PG-245 / CL-246 and the high-yield PG-245XL / CL-246XL. All three sizes fit the same slots, so the XL pair is the lowest-cost-per-page choice for most people.

Cartridge options at a glance

Cartridge Color Approx. page yield* Best for
Canon PG-243 Black ~100 pages Occasional printing
Canon CL-244 Tri-color ~100 pages Occasional color
Canon PG-245 Black ~180 pages Light, regular text printing
Canon CL-246 Tri-color ~180 pages Light color printing
PG-245XL black Black (high yield) ~300 pages Homework, forms, frequent text
CL-246XL tri-color Tri-color (high yield) ~300 pages Photos and color documents

*Canon-rated yields based on ISO/IEC 24711 test pages. Real-world yield depends on coverage, photo printing, and how often the printer runs cleaning cycles.

Common questions about Canon PIXMA TS202 ink

Which cartridge should I buy for the PIXMA TS202: standard or XL?

Buy the XL pair unless you print only a few pages a month. The PG-245XL black and CL-246XL tri-color hold more ink than the standard pair. Canon lists 12.0 ml for PG-245XL against 8.9 ml for PG-245 (about 35% more), and 13.0 ml for CL-246XL against 9.0 ml for CL-246. Canon rates the XL pair at about 300 pages each, against 180 for PG-245/CL-246 and only 100 for PG-243/CL-244. The only reason to buy standard cartridges is if the printer sits idle for months, since ink can dry out before you use it. See Is XL ink actually worth it? Standard vs. XL with real numbers for the math.

What's the difference between PG-243 and PG-245?

They are the same size and shape and use the same slot. PG-243 is Canon's lower-capacity “starter/value” cartridge (about 5.6 ml of ink); PG-245 holds 8.9 ml and PG-245XL 12.0 ml. The color cartridges follow the same pattern: CL-244 holds 6.2 ml, CL-246 9.0 ml and CL-246XL 13.0 ml. You can switch between them at any time. For the most predictable ink-level readings, replace black with black and color with color from the same series when you can.

Can I mix an XL black with a standard color cartridge?

Yes. The black and color cartridges are read independently, so a PG-245XL black with a CL-244 or CL-246 color works fine. Many people buy XL black only, because text uses black much faster than color.

What other printers use the same cartridges as the PIXMA TS202?

The PG-243/245 and CL-244/246 family is one of Canon's most widely used. It also fits the PIXMA TS302, PIXMA TS3120, PIXMA TS3122, PIXMA TS3320, PIXMA TS3322, PIXMA MG2420, PIXMA MG2520, PIXMA MG2522, PIXMA MG2525, PIXMA MG2920, PIXMA MG3022, PIXMA MG3029, PIXMA MX490, PIXMA MX492, PIXMA TR4520, PIXMA TR4522, PIXMA TR4527, PIXMA iP2820, plus the PIXMA MG2922, MG2924, and MG3020. If you own two of these printers, one stock of cartridges covers both.

Are remanufactured cartridges safe for the PIXMA TS202?

Yes. Canon doesn't block refilled or remanufactured cartridges in this family, as far as we have found; they just can't report ink levels, so you'll see a support code and need to switch off ink-level detection. Using third-party ink doesn't void Canon's warranty, but Canon won't cover damage it attributes to that ink. We sell remanufactured PG-245XL black and CL-246XL tri-color cartridges. For the differences between cartridge types, read Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink and Does compatible ink void your printer warranty?.

How do I replace the ink in the PIXMA TS202?

Turn the printer on and open the cover; the cartridge holder moves to the replacement position. Push down on the empty cartridge and lift it out. Remove the new cartridge from its bag, peel off the orange protective tape (never touch the gold contacts or the nozzles), insert it at a slight upward angle, and press until it clicks. Black goes in the right-hand slot and color in the left on most models. Close the cover and run a nozzle check. Full walkthrough: How to replace the ink in a Canon PIXMA printer.

Why does my PIXMA TS202 say the cartridge isn't recognized?

Usually it's the protective tape left on, dirty contacts, or a cartridge that isn't fully seated. Remove the cartridge, wipe the gold contact strip with a dry lint-free cloth, reseat it until it clicks, and power-cycle the printer. If the error remains, try the cartridge in a sibling printer or swap in another cartridge to isolate the problem. More fixes: Printer says ink cartridge not recognized: how to fix it.

What does support code 1686 mean, and can I keep printing?

Code 1686 means the printer can no longer estimate the remaining ink, which happens after a cartridge runs very low or when a refilled/remanufactured cartridge is installed. You can keep printing by pressing and holding the Resume button for at least 5 seconds; this turns off ink-level detection for that cartridge only, so watch print quality and replace it when output fades. Code 1688 means the ink has run out and the cartridge should be replaced. See Printer error codes explained.

Why are my PIXMA TS202 prints faded, streaky, or missing a color?

FINE cartridges have the print head built in, so a new cartridge often fixes nozzle problems. Before replacing, run a nozzle check and one or two standard cleanings (Maintenance menu or the Canon IJ Printer Utility), then a deep cleaning if needed. If one color is missing on the tri-color cartridge, that color is empty; the whole cartridge must be replaced. Step-by-step: How to clean Canon printer heads and Faded or streaky prints: causes and fixes.

Can I print with only one cartridge installed?

No. The printer needs both cartridges installed, even if you only print in black. If one is empty (but installed), you can usually keep printing with the other by holding Resume through the warning, and Canon's driver lets you choose black-only or color-only in some cases. Replace the empty cartridge as soon as possible to avoid drying the nozzles.

Can I refill PG-245 or CL-246 cartridges?

Yes, they can be refilled, but because the print head is part of the cartridge, each refill wears the nozzles and you'll need the Resume-button workaround above. For most people a remanufactured XL cartridge is less messy. If you do refill, read How to refill ink cartridges at home first.

Does the TS202 have Wi-Fi?

No. The TS202 connects by USB only and has no wireless, AirPrint, or scanner. For wireless printing with the same ink, look at the PIXMA TS302 (print only) or TS3122 (all-in-one).

How many cartridges does the TS202 take?

Two: one black (PG-243, PG-245, or PG-245XL) and one tri-color (CL-244, CL-246, or CL-246XL).

PIXMA TS202 key facts

  • Type: compact USB printer (print only)
  • Ink system: 2 FINE cartridges (black + tri-color)
  • Cartridges: PG-243/CL-244, PG-245/CL-246, PG-245XL/CL-246XL
  • Connectivity: USB only
  • Best for: light home and student printing

What TS202 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.

Why did the cartridges that came with it run out so fast?

Canon rates the PG-243 and CL-244 at only about 100 pages each, and says the first cartridges you install print fewer pages than that because some ink is used to fill the print head. Go to XL for the first replacement.

My laptop has no CD drive. How do I install it?

Skip the disc and download the driver from Canon's TS202 support page. Owners who went that route report an easy setup.

How much paper does it hold?

The single rear tray takes 60 sheets of plain paper, or 20 sheets of 4x6 or 10 sheets of 5x7 photo paper.

Can it print borderless photos?

Yes, up to 4x6. Canon quotes about 70 seconds for a borderless 4x6 photo.

Does it print on both sides automatically?

No. Canon lists single-sided printing only, so for two-sided pages you turn the stack over yourself.

TS202 quirks worth knowing

  • There is no screen at all. The control panel is three buttons and four LEDs, so errors show up as lamp patterns and messages on your computer.
  • The black is pigment ink (320 nozzles) for sharp text, and the tri-color is dye ink (960 nozzles) for photos.
  • B&H lists custom paper sizes up to 8.5 x 26.6 inches, which is long enough for short banners.
  • Paper that won't feed or keeps jamming from the rear tray is a recurring complaint in owner reviews.

Other printers that use PG-245 and CL-246

Canon PIXMA MX490 · Canon PIXMA MG2922 · Canon PIXMA TS3120 · Canon PIXMA TR4522 · Canon PIXMA TR4527 · Canon PIXMA iP2820 · Canon PIXMA MG3029 · Canon PIXMA MG2525

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 11, 2026 and will change over time.

Need replacement Canon PG-245 & CL-246 Ink Cartridges – 245XL & 246XL? Shop Canon PG-245 & CL-246 Ink Cartridges – 245XL & 246XL 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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