What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA TS9020 Use?
Last Updated:Correction (October 2026): an earlier version of this guide listed the PIXMA TS9120 among the printers that take PGI-270/CLI-271. The TS9120 uses PGI-280/CLI-281 tanks.
The Canon PIXMA TS9020 is a wireless photo all-in-one printer that uses six individual cartridges: Canon PGI-270 pigment black and CLI-271 black, cyan, magenta, yellow, and gray. Standard and XL high-yield versions are available so you can balance ink cost against print volume.
CastleScore · October 2026
85/100 — Highly Recommended
Canon PIXMA TS9020
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 80 | PCMag 4.0/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 93 | About 2.1¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured PGI-270XL (500 pages) and CLI-271XL colors (about 645-715 pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | 86 | Most-reported problems: support code 5011 at power-on that a restart does not clear; after a jam the front cassette would not slide fully home and error 1259 would not clear |
| Features (12%) | 73 | Print, copy, scan, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen. No document feeder, no fax. |
| Value (5%) | — | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Discontinued. B&H lists the TS9020 as no longer available, and Canon names no successor. This score rates it for current owners.
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
PGI-270XL / CLI-271XL 5-packPGBK + BK/C/M/Y
PGI-270XL Black0319C001 · ~500 pages
CLI-271XL Cyan0337C001 · ~715 pages
CLI-271XL Magenta0338C001 · ~645 pages
PGI-270XL / CLI-271XL 5-pack
PGI-270XL Black
CLI-271XL Cyan
CLI-271XL MagentaOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Approx. Yield (Standard / XL) |
|---|---|---|
| PGI-270 | Pigment Black | ~300 / ~500 pages |
| CLI-271 | Black (dye) | ~1,795 / ~5,565 pages |
| CLI-271 | Cyan | ~345 / ~715 pages |
| CLI-271 | Magenta | ~306 / ~645–715 pages |
| CLI-271 | Yellow | ~347 / ~715 pages |
| CLI-271 | Gray | Standard and XL; no page rating we could confirm |
The PGI-270/CLI-271 cartridge family is also used by the PIXMA MG5720, MG5721, MG5722, MG6820, MG6821, MG6822, MG7720, TS5020, TS6020, and TS8020. The TS9120 looks similar but takes PGI-280/CLI-281 tanks. The Gray cartridge is specific to higher-end photo models for richer black-and-white photo prints.
How to Replace Ink in the Canon PIXMA TS9020
- Power on the printer and open the top scanner unit; the print head holder slides to the access position.
- Press the lamp 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 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: Print a nozzle check and run a print head cleaning from the printer's maintenance menu or the Canon driver. If gaps remain after a couple of cleanings, try a deep cleaning before you replace any tanks.
Gray photos look off: Verify the CLI-271 Gray cartridge is installed and has ink remaining; this is key for monochrome photo quality.
Support code 5011 at power-on: This is often a hidden paper jam. Canon's steps are to clear any jammed paper, then clean the encoder (timing) strip. If 5011 still appears after a restart, the printer needs service.
Support code 1688 (ink has run out): The TS9020 stops when any tank is empty. Holding Stop for at least 5 seconds lets you keep printing, but Canon warns print quality may suffer, and ink-level detection turns off for that tank. Replace it soon.
What PIXMA TS9020 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.
Does the TS9020 have a document feeder or fax?
No. It prints, copies and scans, with a flatbed scanner only (up to 8.5 x 11.7 in) and no fax.
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 another 100 plain sheets or 20 sheets of 4x6 photo paper.
Can it print on CDs and DVDs?
Yes. It prints on printable CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs using its disc tray, and it can copy a disc label.
Can I plug it into a wired network?
Yes. It has Ethernet as well as Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), Hi-Speed USB and NFC.
How much ink is in each tank?
Canon lists 15.4 ml for the PGI-270 (22.2 ml for the XL) and 6.5 ml for each CLI-271, including the gray (10.8 ml for the XL).
PIXMA TS9020 quirks worth knowing
- The sixth tank is a CLI-271 Gray. The five-ink TS5020 and TS6020 don't use it, and the later TS9120 swapped gray for photo blue on new PGI-280/CLI-281 tanks.
- It prints on 5 x 5 in square photo paper, and the 5.0-inch touchscreen is large for a home all-in-one.
- NFC "Touch & Print" works only with Android devices, and only while the Canon PRINT app is open.
- Canon USA lists no firmware downloads for the TS9020, so no update has changed how it handles cartridges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Gray cartridge required? Yes, all six cartridges must be installed for normal operation; the Gray improves photo quality but is needed for printing in general.
Will PGI-250 cartridges fit the TS9020? No, the TS9020 requires PGI-270/CLI-271; PGI-250/CLI-251 have different chips and won't fit.
Are XL cartridges worth the cost? Yes. The CLI-271XL colors are rated for about twice the pages of the standard tanks, and the PGI-270XL for about 500 pages versus 300, so the cost per page is lower.
Do remanufactured cartridges void my warranty? Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, non-Canon cartridges don't void a warranty unless they cause damage. In practice the TS9020 is a 2016 model, so the original warranty has long expired. The PGI-270XL and CLI-271XL tanks we sell are remanufactured.
How do I check ink levels? Check the estimated ink levels on the printer's touchscreen or in the Canon printer driver. If you turned off ink-level detection for a tank, its level won't be shown.
Other printers that use PGI-270 and CLI-271
Canon PIXMA MG6821 · Canon PIXMA MG6820 · Canon PIXMA TS5020 · Canon PIXMA TS6020 · Canon PIXMA TS8020
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 11, 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.