What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA TS6120 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Canon PIXMA TS6120 uses five ink tanks: one PGI-280 Pigment Black and four CLI-281 tanks in Black, Cyan, Magenta and Yellow. All five must be installed for the printer to work. XL and XXL versions fit the same slots. The XXL tanks hold the most ink and give you the lowest cost per page.
CastleScore · October 2026
81/100 — Highly Recommended
Canon PIXMA TS6120
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 78 | 4.00★ average across 349 ratings at Amazon (4.0) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 70 | PCMag 3.5/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 93 | About 2¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured PGI-280XXL (600 pages) and CLI-281XXL colors (820 pages each). |
| Reliability (13%) | 90 | No recurring hardware or connection complaints in owner reviews. |
| Features (12%) | 69 | Print, copy, scan, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, touchscreen. No document feeder, no fax. |
| Value (5%) | 86 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Hard to find new. We couldn't confirm the TS6120 is still sold new; Greentoe lists it as unavailable. The TS6220 and TS6320 take the same ink.
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
PGI-280XXL / CLI-281XXL 4-packPGBK + C/M/Y
PGI-280XXL Black1967C001 · ~600 pages
CLI-281XXL Black1983C001
CLI-281XXL Cyan1980C001 · ~820 pages
CLI-281XXL Magenta1981C001 · ~820 pages
CLI-281XXL Yellow1982C001 · ~820 pages
PGI-280XXL / CLI-281XXL 4-pack
PGI-280XXL Black
CLI-281XXL Black
CLI-281XXL Cyan
CLI-281XXL Magenta
CLI-281XXL YellowOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
Canon PIXMA TS6120 Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Approx. Yield |
|---|---|---|
| PGI-280 | Pigment Black | ~200 pages |
| PGI-280 XL | Pigment Black | ~400 pages |
| PGI-280 XXL | Pigment Black | ~600 pages |
| CLI-281 | Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | ~259 / ~233 / ~259 pages |
| CLI-281 | Black (dye) | ~750 pages |
| CLI-281 XL | Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | ~515 pages each |
| CLI-281 XL | Black (dye) | ~3,120 pages |
| CLI-281 XXL | Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | ~820 pages each |
| CLI-281 XXL | Black (dye) | ~6,360 pages |
Why two blacks? The PGI-280 pigment black prints crisp text on plain paper. The CLI-281 dye black is used for photos and for mixing darker colors. If one runs out, the printer stops, so keep a spare of each on hand.
The TS6120 is part of the TS6100 series (TS6120, TS6122), and it takes the same ink as the PIXMA TS6220 and TS6320. The TS8120 and TS9120 use the same cartridge family but add a sixth Photo Blue tank. The TS6120 doesn't need that one. Older Canon tanks (PGI-250/CLI-251 and PGI-270/CLI-271) look almost identical but won't fit.
How to Replace Ink in the Canon PIXMA TS6120
- Turn the printer on and open the paper output tray, then lift the scanning unit/cover until it locks open. The print head holder moves to the replacement position.
- Find the tank with the flashing red light. That's the empty one. Press its tab and lift it out.
- Unwrap the new tank and twist off the orange protective cap. Don't squeeze the tank or touch the electrical contacts.
- Insert the tank at a slight angle into the slot with the matching color label, then press down on the top until it clicks and its light glows steady red.
- Close the scanning unit. The printer runs a short ink-charging cycle before it's ready.
Troubleshooting Tips
"Ink cartridge cannot be recognized" or a tank light stays off: Reseat the tank firmly until it clicks, and check that it's in the slot matching its color label. The TS6120 checks each position. More fixes in printer says ink cartridge not recognized.
"The remaining level of the ink cannot be correctly detected": Canon shows this with refilled or remanufactured tanks. To keep printing, hold the printer's Stop button for 5 seconds (or confirm on the screen) to turn off ink-level detection for that tank. The printer works normally. It just can't show the level for that color.
Streaks or a missing color: Run a nozzle check, then Cleaning (not Deep Cleaning) once or twice. The TS6120's printhead is separate from the tanks, so leaving an empty tank in the printer for days can let that color's nozzles dry out. Replace empties promptly. See faded or streaky prints for more.
What PIXMA TS6120 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 I load plain paper and photo paper at the same time?
Yes. It has a 100-sheet front cassette and a rear tray that holds 100 plain sheets or 20 sheets of 4x6 photo paper.
Does it print double-sided automatically?
Yes. It can't scan both sides automatically, though, because it has a flatbed scanner and no document feeder.
Which other printers use the same CLI-281 ink?
Besides the TS6220 and TS6320, retail listings name the TS8120, TS9120, TR7520 and TR8520. The TS8120 and TS9120 add a Photo Blue tank.
Does it support Bluetooth?
Yes. Bluetooth 4.0 LE is listed alongside Wi-Fi and USB 2.0.
Can I plug it into my network with a cable?
No. Its listed connections are Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE and USB, with no Ethernet port.
PIXMA TS6120 quirks worth knowing
- The CLI-281 dye black lasts far longer than the colors: retailers list it at 750 pages standard, 3,120 XL and 6,360 XXL, against 400 XL and 600 XXL for the PGI-280 pigment black.
- XXL color tanks are listed at about 820 pages, more than three times a standard tank (about 233–259), and they fit the same slots.
- It has a 3-inch touchscreen. The later TS6320, which takes the same ink, has only a 1.44-inch OLED display.
- Genuine ink is expensive: at 4inkjets' prices, a standard set of five Canon tanks costs about $110.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Canon TS6120 use PGI-280 or PG-245?
PGI-280 and CLI-281 individual tanks. PG-245/CL-246 are cartridges for Canon's budget PIXMA models like the MG2522 and TS3120, and won't fit.
Can I print if one color is empty?
No. All five tanks must be installed and contain ink. If a color runs out, the printer stops until you replace it.
Can I mix standard, XL and XXL tanks?
Yes. All sizes use the same slots, so mix them however you like.
Do I need the Photo Blue (PB) tank?
No. Photo Blue is only used by some higher-end models such as the TS8120 and TS9120. The TS6120 has five slots.
Other printers that use PGI-280 and CLI-281
Canon PIXMA TR8520 · Canon PIXMA TS8120 · Canon PIXMA TS6320
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 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.