What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA TS5120 Use?
Last Updated:The Canon PIXMA TS5120 is a compact wireless all-in-one inkjet that uses five individual cartridges: Canon PGI-280 pigment black and CLI-281 black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Standard, XL, and XXL high-yield versions are available so you can balance ink cost against 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 |
The PGI-280/CLI-281 cartridge family is also used by other Canon PIXMA models including the TR7520, TR8520, TR8620, TS6220, TS6320, TS8320, TS9120, and TS9520. The TS5120 uses the 4-color (no photo blue) configuration.
Save on PGI-280 and CLI-281 Ink
Castle Ink offers compatible PGI-280 and CLI-281 cartridges at significant savings versus OEM with matching page yields. Shop PGI-280 cartridges or browse CLI-281 colors for your TS5120.
How to Replace Ink in the Canon PIXMA TS5120
- Power on the TS5120 and open the top scanner unit; the print head carriage slides to the center.
- 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 scanner unit and let the printer run 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 streaky prints: Run a print head cleaning from Setup > Maintenance. Repeat up to three times before swapping cartridges.
Low ink warning that won't clear: Hold the Stop button for at least five seconds to acknowledge the warning and continue printing.
B200 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 TS5120 Support Page | Canon Genuine Ink
Bottom Line
The Canon PIXMA TS5120 uses PGI-280 pigment black and CLI-281 dye-based color cartridges. Choose XL or XXL yields for the lowest cost per page, and consider Castle Ink's compatibles for additional savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will PGI-270 cartridges fit the TS5120? No, the TS5120 requires PGI-280/CLI-281; PGI-270/CLI-271 cartridges have different chips and won't be recognized.
Are XL or XXL cartridges worth the extra cost? Yes, XL and XXL yields deliver substantially lower per-page costs than standard cartridges.
Does the TS5120 use a photo blue cartridge? No, the TS5120 uses just four color cartridges plus pigment black; the photo blue is only used in higher-end TS6/TS8/TS9 series.
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? Tap the LCD touchscreen 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.