What Ink Does the HP DesignJet T2600 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The HP DesignJet T2600 uses six HP 730 ink cartridges — Matte Black, Photo Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Gray — printing through the HP 731 printhead (P2V27A). HP 730 comes in 130 ml and 300 ml sizes that fit the same slots. Castle Ink carries remanufactured 300 ml cartridges in all six colors: HP 730 Matte Black (P2V71A), HP 730 Photo Black (P2V73A), HP 730 Cyan (P2V68A), HP 730 Magenta (P2V69A), HP 730 Yellow (P2V70A) and HP 730 Gray (P2V72A).
HP DesignJet T2600 Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Color (300 ml — Castle Ink link) | 300 ml Part No. | 130 ml Part No. |
|---|---|---|
| HP 730 Matte Black 300 ml | P2V71A | P2V65A |
| HP 730 Photo Black 300 ml | P2V73A | P2V67A |
| HP 730 Cyan 300 ml | P2V68A | P2V62A |
| HP 730 Magenta 300 ml | P2V69A | P2V63A |
| HP 730 Yellow 300 ml | P2V70A | P2V64A |
| HP 730 Gray 300 ml | P2V72A | P2V66A |
Both sizes are interchangeable, and you can mix them — a 300 ml cartridge in a busy color and a 130 ml one in a color you rarely use. On a plotter that prints every day, the 300 ml size is the one to buy: it costs far less per milliliter and you swap cartridges less than half as often.
The DesignJet T2600 is HP's 36-inch multifunction plotter: it prints, scans and copies large-format documents with an integrated scanner, and the T2600dr adds a second roll. The PostScript version handles PDF and PostScript files directly. The scanner does not change the ink — it runs on the same six HP 730 cartridges as the T1600.
The same HP 730 cartridges fit the whole family: the DesignJet T1600, T1600dr, T1700, T1700dr, T2600 and T2600dr, including the PostScript models. See our DesignJet T1600 and DesignJet T1700 guides if you run more than one.
Do not confuse HP 730 with HP 711 or HP 712 (DesignJet T120, T520, T210, T630, T650) or HP 727 (T920, T1500). They will not fit this printer.
Which Color Runs Out First?
On a CAD and line-drawing workload, Matte Black empties fastest by a wide margin — it prints lines and text on plain and bond paper, and that includes copies made with the built-in scanner. Photo Black only comes into play on photo and glossy media, and Gray is used for neutral tones in renderings and photos. If your plotter mostly prints and copies drawings, keep a spare 300 ml Matte Black on the shelf before anything else.
Save on HP 730 300 ml
Castle Ink's U.S.-remanufactured HP 730 cartridges are built from original HP 730 300 ml cartridges and refilled to OEM ink level, color and performance. Buy only the color you need — HP 730 Matte Black (P2V71A), HP 730 Photo Black (P2V73A), HP 730 Cyan (P2V68A), HP 730 Magenta (P2V69A), HP 730 Yellow (P2V70A) and HP 730 Gray (P2V72A). Every cartridge ships free on orders over $50. Browse the rest of our large-format ink in the Wide Format Cartridges collection.
How to Replace Ink in the HP DesignJet T2600
- On the front panel, open the ink menu and choose to replace a cartridge, or wait for the empty-cartridge prompt.
- Open the ink cartridge cover.
- Pull the empty cartridge straight out of its slot.
- Shake the new cartridge gently, then slide it into the slot that matches its color label until it locks in place.
- Close the cover. The front panel confirms when the cartridge is recognized.
Troubleshooting Tips
Cartridge not recognized or "non-HP cartridge" message: Remove and reseat the cartridge firmly. A notice that a cartridge is not original HP is normal with remanufactured ink — accept it on the front panel and printing continues. Do not use a cartridge that has been dropped or whose chip contacts are damaged.
Banding or missing lines: Print the image quality diagnostic report from the front panel, then run printhead cleaning. If one color is still missing after cleaning, the HP 731 printhead may need replacing — it is a separate part (P2V27A), not built into the cartridges.
Streaks on copies but not prints: That points to the scanner, not the ink. Clean the scanner glass and run scanner calibration from the front panel.
Official HP DesignJet T2600 Resources
Bottom Line
The HP DesignJet T2600 runs on HP 730 in six colors with the HP 731 printhead. Buy 300 ml cartridges, keep a spare Matte Black on hand, and replace only the color that runs out.
Written and reviewed by William Elward — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer & imaging supplies industry. Last updated October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the HP DesignJet T2600 use HP 730 or HP 731?
Both, for different parts. HP 730 is the ink cartridge; HP 731 is the printhead (P2V27A).
Does the T2600 MFP use different ink from the T1600?
No. The built-in scanner adds scanning and copying, but the T2600 takes the same six HP 730 cartridges as the T1600 and T1700.
Can I mix 130 ml and 300 ml HP 730 cartridges?
Yes. Both sizes fit the same slots and can be used side by side.
Does using remanufactured cartridges void my warranty?
No. Under the U.S. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a manufacturer cannot void your printer warranty only because you used third-party cartridges. Damage proven to be caused by a specific cartridge would not be covered, but the rest of the warranty still applies. Service contracts (HP Care Packs) can carry their own terms, so check yours.
Shop Wide-Format Ink at Castle Ink
Browse every large-format cartridge we carry in our Wide Format Cartridges collection, find the right ink for any other printer on the Find Ink by Printer page, or work through a fault at our printer troubleshooting center.
Shopping for the HP DesignJet T2600? HP DesignJet T2600 on Amazon — as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
See also: printer says ink cartridge not recognized | faded or streaky prints | printer printing the wrong colors
An independent 0–100 score for every printer, refreshed monthly from thousands of owner reviews and expert tests — plus what the ink or toner actually costs to run. See this month's Top 10 inkjet and laser rankings, or use the PrinterIQ™ finder.
See the CastleScore rankings →