What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA TS8120 Use?

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

Our own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.

Quick answer: what ink does the Canon PIXMA TS8120 use?

The Canon PIXMA TS8120 uses six individual ink tanks: PGI-280 pigment black plus CLI-281 black, cyan, magenta, yellow, and photo blue. Standard, XL, and XXL sizes fit the same slots, and you replace only the color that runs out. The photo blue tank is what separates this model from the five-ink PGI-280 printers.

Cartridge options at a glance

*Approximate Canon-rated yields based on ISO/IEC test pages. Real-world results depend on coverage, photo printing, and cleaning cycles.

Common questions about Canon PIXMA TS8120 ink

Standard, XL, or XXL: which should I buy?

XXL for most people. A PGI-280XXL black is rated for about 600 pages, three times the standard tank, and the CLI-281XXL colors are rated for about 820 pages each, so the cost per page is the lowest of the three sizes. XL is a good middle ground if you print less. See Is XL ink actually worth it? Standard vs. XL with real numbers.

What other printers use PGI-280/CLI-281 ink?

The five-ink models are the PIXMA TR7520, TR8520, TR8620, TS6120, TS6220, TS6320, TS702, and TS9520. The six-ink models that add a photo blue tank are the PIXMA TS8320, TS9120, and TS8220. Every size of the shared colors fits all of them, so one stock of cartridges covers several printers.

Will other Canon cartridges fit the TS8120?

No. PGI-270/CLI-271 (used by the PIXMA TS8020, TS9020, and TS5020) and PGI-250/CLI-251 look similar but won't seat or be recognized. Always match the number printed on your current cartridge.

Why are there two black cartridges?

They do different jobs. The larger pigment black (PGI) prints sharp, smudge-resistant text on plain paper. The dye black (CLI) is used for photos and glossy paper, where pigment ink would sit on the surface. Both must be installed, and on plain-paper documents the pigment black does most of the work.

Are compatible or remanufactured cartridges safe for the TS8120?

Generally, yes. We know of no Canon firmware lockout on the TS8120, and using third-party ink doesn't void your warranty under U.S. law. The printer may show a message about a non-genuine or refilled cartridge; choose OK or Continue. One owner review reports a TS8120 that froze with refilled tanks until genuine ones went in, so keep that in mind. Our PGI-280 and CLI-281 tanks are remanufactured. More: Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink and Does compatible ink void your printer warranty?.

How do I replace the ink in the TS8120?

Turn the printer on and open the cover; the print head holder moves to the replacement position. Press the tab on the empty tank and lift it out. Remove the new tank from its bag, pull off the orange protective cap, insert it front end first, and press the top until it clicks. Match the color labels on the holder. The tank's lamp lights red when it's seated correctly. Walkthrough: How to replace the ink in a Canon PIXMA printer.

Why won't the TS8120 recognize a new tank?

Make sure the orange cap and any film are removed, press down on the tank until its lamp lights, and check that it's in the slot with the matching color label. If the lamp stays off, remove the tank, wipe the contacts with a dry lint-free cloth, reinstall it, and power-cycle the printer. More fixes: Printer says ink cartridge not recognized: how to fix it.

Why are TS8120 prints faded, streaky, or missing a color?

The print head is built into the printer, so a clogged nozzle won't be fixed by a new tank alone. Print a nozzle check, run a cleaning, and if gaps remain, a deep cleaning; let the printer rest a few hours if it still streaks. If lines look jagged or doubled rather than faded, align the print head. Guides: How to clean Canon printer heads, Faded or streaky prints: causes and fixes, and our print head alignment guide.

Can I keep printing when one tank is empty?

Canon printers stop when a tank runs out. On many models you can override the warning by holding Stop for about 5 seconds, but Canon cautions that printing with an empty tank can damage the built-in print head, so replace it as soon as you can. That includes the photo blue tank: one owner reports an empty photo blue stopped black printing too. Keeping a spare pigment black on hand avoids most downtime.

What does the photo blue tank do?

Photo blue (CLI-281PB) reduces graininess in light areas such as skies and skin tones. Only six-ink models use it; five-ink models like the TS6320 don't have the slot.

Does the TS8120 work on Wi-Fi?

Yes. It connects over 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and works with the Canon PRINT app. If it keeps dropping off the network, make sure your router broadcasts a 2.4 GHz band. Setup help: How to connect a printer to Wi-Fi.

TS8120 key facts

• Type: wireless photo all-in-one (print, scan, copy; no fax), launched in 2017
• Speed: about 15 pages a minute black, 10 color (ISO ESAT)
• Paper: 100-sheet front cassette plus 100-sheet rear tray, up to legal size; automatic two-sided printing
• Screen: 4.3-inch touchscreen
• Ink: 6 individual tanks, PGI-280 + CLI-281 BK/C/M/Y/PB (XL and XXL fit)

What PIXMA TS8120 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.

Is there a document feeder for scanning a stack of pages?

No. The TS8120 scans on a flatbed only (up to 8.5 × 11.7 in), so each page goes on the glass.

Can I keep photo paper and plain paper loaded at the same time?

Yes. The front cassette holds 100 sheets of plain paper, and the rear tray holds 100 plain sheets or 20 sheets of 4×6 or 10 of 5×7 photo paper.

Can it print directly on CDs and DVDs?

Yes. Canon lists CD, DVD and Blu-ray disc printing and disc label copying. At launch in 2017, Canon kept that feature for the TS8120 and TS9120.

Why do the color tanks go down when I only print black text?

Owners report it, and one says Canon told them black text uses some color ink too. The pigment PGI-280 does most of the work on plain-paper text; the dye CLI-281 black is for photos.

Can I plug it into my router with a cable?

No. Canon lists no Ethernet port. It connects over 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (no 5 GHz), Bluetooth 4.0 LE or Hi-Speed USB.

PIXMA TS8120 quirks worth knowing

• The photo blue (CLI-281PB) tank was new with the TS8120 and TS9120 in 2017. Canon said it reduces graininess in bright blues and whites.
• It has 6,656 nozzles. Canon rates a borderless 4×6 photo at about 17 seconds.
• The output tray extends automatically when a job starts, but it has to be pulled out by hand during setup.
• It prints straight from SD/SDHC cards and over wireless PictBridge. miniSD and microSD cards need an adapter.

Other printers that use PGI-280 and CLI-281

Canon PIXMA TR8520 · Canon PIXMA TS6120 · 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.

• Canon PIXMA TS8120 specifications sheet (PDF)
• Canon Canada: 2017 PIXMA TS series launch
• B&H TS8120 listing (no longer available)
• PGI-280 / CLI-281 yields (LD Products)
• TS8120 owner reviews (retailer listing)