What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA TS7720 Use?

Quick answer: The Canon PIXMA TS7720 uses two FINE cartridges: PG-285 Black and CL-286 Color (tri-color). The high-yield PG-285XL and CL-286XL fit the same slots and print a little over twice as many pages, about 400 each instead of 180. That makes them the obvious choice for a printer you use every week.

Canon PIXMA TS7720 Ink Cartridges at a Glance

PG-285 and CL-286 are a newer Canon cartridge family. Right now they fit only a few models: the PIXMA TS7720, TS7722 and TR7820. They are not the same as the older PG-245/CL-246, PG-243/CL-244, PG-260/CL-261 or PG-275/CL-276 cartridges, even though they look similar. Those won't physically fit or won't be recognized. Like all Canon FINE cartridges, each PG-285 and CL-286 has its own printhead built in, so a new cartridge also gives you fresh nozzles.

Save on PG-285XL / CL-286XL

Castle Ink doesn't stock PG-285 or CL-286 cartridges yet, since the family is still quite new, so we won't pretend otherwise. The best value today is the XL twin pack (Canon part 6196C004), which bundles one PG-285XL and one CL-286XL. You can compare genuine and remanufactured options here: PG-285XL / CL-286XL on Amazon (as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases).

Buying XL matters more than usual on this printer. Standard PG-285 and CL-286 cartridges only print about 180 pages, so a family printing homework and forms can go through one in a few weeks. Here's why XL usually wins: standard vs. XL with real numbers. If you run other Canon, HP, Epson or Brother printers, we very likely stock their ink. Look them up on the Find Ink by Printer page.

How to Replace Ink in the Canon PIXMA TS7720

1. Turn the printer on. Open the front cover, then lift the scanning unit/cover. The cartridge holder moves to the replacement position.
2. Push down on the empty cartridge until it clicks, then lift it out.
3. Unwrap the new cartridge and gently pull off the orange protective tape. Don't touch the gold contacts or the nozzles.
4. Slide the cartridge in at a slight angle, black on the right and color on the left, and push it up until it snaps into place.
5. Close the scanning unit/cover. Print an alignment page from the printer's settings if lines look slightly off.

Troubleshooting Tips

"The following ink cartridge cannot be recognized": Take the cartridge out, check that all the protective tape is off, and reseat it firmly until it locks. If you installed a cartridge from a different Canon family (like PG-245), it won't be recognized. Double-check the number on the label. More in printer says ink cartridge not recognized.

"The remaining level of the ink cannot be correctly detected": Canon shows this with refilled or remanufactured cartridges. Confirm on the screen or hold the Stop button for about 5 seconds to keep printing. The printer works normally. It just stops tracking that cartridge's level.

Streaks, faded text or a missing color: Run a nozzle check, then Cleaning once or twice. Because the printhead is part of the cartridge, one that stays streaky after two cleanings is usually worn out and needs replacing. See faded or streaky prints and printer printing the wrong colors.

Official Canon Resources

• Canon U.S.A. Support
• Canon printer supplies

Bottom Line

The Canon PIXMA TS7720 takes PG-285 black and CL-286 color. Skip the standard sizes and buy the XL twin pack. At about 180 pages, the standard cartridges run out fast.

Written and reviewed by William Elward — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer & imaging supplies industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Canon TS7720 use PG-245 / CL-246?
No. The TS7720 uses the newer PG-285 and CL-286. PG-245/CL-246 cartridges won't fit.

Can the TS7720 print with only the black cartridge?
Both cartridges need to be installed. You can set the printer to print in grayscale to save color ink, but an empty or missing color cartridge will still stop it.

Are PG-285 and PG-285XL the same size?
They fit the same slot. The XL simply holds more ink, about 400 pages versus 180.

Does using remanufactured ink void my Canon warranty?
No. Under the U.S. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, Canon can't void your printer warranty just because you used third-party cartridges.

Shop Compatible Ink at Castle Ink

Find the right cartridge for the Canon PIXMA TS7720 and every other printer we cover on the Find Ink by Printer page, or work through a fault at our printer troubleshooting center.

Buy the Canon PIXMA TS7720 on Amazon: Canon PIXMA TS7720 on Amazon — as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

See also: pigment vs. dye ink | printer ink cost calculator | why printer ink is so expensive