What Ink Does the HP DesignJet T2600 Use?
Last Updated:Correction (October 2026): an earlier version of this guide said the T2600 prints through the HP 731 printhead (P2V27A). HP lists one universal printhead for the T2600; the HP 731 is the T1700’s printhead.
Quick answer: The HP DesignJet T2600 uses six HP 730 ink cartridges — Matte Black, Photo Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Gray — printing through a single HP universal printhead. 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).
CastleScore · October 2026
69/100 — Situational
HP DesignJet T2600
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (24%) | — | Not scored: HP rates 730 cartridges by ink volume, not page yield, so we cannot calculate an honest cost per page. |
| Reliability (13%) | 87 | Most-reported problems: replacement printhead fails setup near the end and is flagged as bad |
| Features (12%) | 59 | Print, copy, scan, Ethernet, touchscreen. No document feeder, no auto two-sided printing, no fax. |
| Value (5%) | — | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings or published expert scores for this printer, so those weights are spread across the other pillars. With neither owner ratings nor a published expert score, we cap this printer at 69 (Situational) until better data is available.
Still sold new as Plus Edition and Build Connected versions (for example 3XB78D and 3EK15D). HP 730 ink is widely available.
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
HP 730 Matte Black 300 mlP2V71A
HP 730 Photo Black 300 mlP2V73A
HP 730 Cyan 300 mlP2V68A
HP 730 Magenta 300 mlP2V69A
HP 730 Yellow 300 mlP2V70A
HP 730 Gray 300 mlP2V72A
HP 730 Matte Black 300 ml
HP 730 Photo Black 300 ml
HP 730 Cyan 300 ml
HP 730 Magenta 300 ml
HP 730 Yellow 300 ml
HP 730 Gray 300 mlOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
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 means 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, plus the DesignJet SD Pro 2 MFP. 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.
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: Remove and reseat the cartridge firmly in the slot that matches its color label. 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 printhead may need replacing. It is a separate part, not built into the cartridges, and it is not the HP 731 head used in the T1700.
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.
What DesignJet T2600 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, HP's support forum and owner reviews, answered in our words.
How many printheads does the T2600 use?
HP lists one universal printhead. That is different from the T1700, which uses three HP 731 heads that each carry two colors, so don't order HP 731 for a T2600.
Are the inks pigment or dye?
HP's spec table lists dye-based cyan, magenta, yellow, photo black and gray, and a pigment-based matte black.
Can it scan to PDF?
Only the PostScript models scan to PDF and multipage PDF. The others scan to JPEG or TIFF.
Does it have Wi-Fi?
Not as standard. It has Gigabit Ethernet, and Wi-Fi needs an optional HP Jetdirect accessory.
My new printhead fails near the end of setup. Is that common?
An owner on HP's forum reported exactly this on several T1600 and T2600 printers, with repeated replacements from HP. If a new head fails setup, contact HP support before buying another.
DesignJet T2600 quirks worth knowing
- HP says its HP Click printing software works only with original HP ink. Printing from the driver or front panel isn't affected.
- It prints up to 180 A1 pages an hour (about 19.3 seconds a page) in its fastest mode, and a built-in stacker holds up to 100 cut sheets.
- HP's archival rating for HP 730 matte black (ISO 11798) applies only to the T1700 series, according to HP's cartridge footnote.
- The control panel is a 15.6-inch touchscreen. Newer "Build Connected" editions add HP Build Workspace with scan-to-vector, with 20 monthly tokens for one year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the HP DesignJet T2600 use HP 730 or HP 731?
HP 730 is its ink. HP lists one universal printhead for the T2600; the HP 731 printhead (P2V27A), which carries two colors per head, is listed for the T1700, not the T2600.
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.
Other printers that use HP 730 ink
HP DesignJet T1600 · HP DesignJet T1700
More HP ink guides: HP OfficeJet 3830 · HP Envy 5000 · HP OfficeJet Pro 8610 · find any printer
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 11, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement HP ink cartridges? Shop HP ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.