What Ink Does the HP DesignJet Z6 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The HP DesignJet Z6 uses six HP 746 300 ml pigment ink cartridges — Photo Black, Matte Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Chromatic Red — printing through three universal HP 746 printheads (P2V25A). Castle Ink carries all six remanufactured: HP 746 Photo Black (P2V82A), HP 746 Matte Black (P2V83A), HP 746 Cyan (P2V80A), HP 746 Magenta (P2V78A), HP 746 Yellow (P2V79A) and HP 746 Chromatic Red (P2V81A), plus a 6-color combo pack.
HP DesignJet Z6 Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge (Castle Ink link) | Part No. | Size |
|---|---|---|
| HP 746 Photo Black | P2V82A | 300 ml |
| HP 746 Matte Black | P2V83A | 300 ml |
| HP 746 Cyan | P2V80A | 300 ml |
| HP 746 Magenta | P2V78A | 300 ml |
| HP 746 Yellow | P2V79A | 300 ml |
| HP 746 Chromatic Red | P2V81A | 300 ml |
| HP 746 6-Color Combo Pack | All six colors | 6 × 300 ml |
The Z6 is HP's six-ink PostScript printer for posters, maps, renderings and photo-quality graphics. It comes as the Z6 24-in, the Z6 44-in and the Z6dr 44-in, which adds a second roll and an integrated vertical trimmer. HP rates it at up to 916 sq ft per hour on plain media.
The two blacks do different jobs. Matte Black gives deep, sharp blacks on plain, bond and matte papers, so it empties fastest in a drawings-and-posters workload. Photo Black is used on glossy and satin photo papers. Chromatic Red widens the reds, oranges and skin tones beyond what cyan, magenta and yellow can reach on their own.
Z6 vs. Z9+: Same Base Ink
The DesignJet Z9+ uses the same six HP 746 cartridges and adds three HP 747 colors (Chromatic Green, Chromatic Blue and Gray) plus an optional Gloss Enhancer. If you run both printers, one stock of HP 746 covers the shared colors — see our HP DesignJet Z9+ ink guide. The Z6 does not use HP 747 cartridges.
Save on HP 746
Castle Ink's remanufactured HP 746 cartridges are built from original HP 746 300 ml cartridges and refilled to OEM ink level, color and performance. Order only the color that runs out — HP 746 Photo Black (P2V82A), HP 746 Matte Black (P2V83A), HP 746 Cyan (P2V80A), HP 746 Magenta (P2V78A), HP 746 Yellow (P2V79A), HP 746 Chromatic Red (P2V81A) — or refill everything at once with the HP 746 6-color combo pack. Shipping is free on orders over $50, and the rest of our large-format ink is in the Wide Format Cartridges collection.
How to Replace Ink in the HP DesignJet Z6
- 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 push it into the slot that matches its color label until it locks.
- Close the cover and wait for the front panel to confirm the cartridge.
Troubleshooting Tips
Cartridge not recognized or "non-HP cartridge" message: Reseat the cartridge firmly. A notice that a cartridge is not original HP is normal with remanufactured ink — accept it on the front panel to continue.
Banding or missing nozzles: Print the printhead status plot and run printhead cleaning from the front panel. The three HP 746 printheads are universal, so if one is failing you replace that printhead (P2V25A), not the ink.
Colors look off after a cartridge change: Run printhead alignment and color calibration for the paper you print on most, then reprint.
Official HP DesignJet Z6 Resources
Bottom Line
The HP DesignJet Z6 runs on six HP 746 300 ml cartridges and three HP 746 printheads. Keep a spare Matte Black on hand, replace only the color that runs out, and use the 6-color combo pack when you want to refill the whole printer at once.
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
How many ink cartridges does the HP DesignJet Z6 use?
Six HP 746 cartridges: Photo Black, Matte Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Chromatic Red.
Does the Z6 use HP 747?
No. HP 747 colors are only for the DesignJet Z9+.
Do the Z6 24-in, Z6 44-in and Z6dr use the same ink?
Yes. Every Z6 model takes the same six HP 746 300 ml cartridges.
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.
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See also: printer says ink cartridge not recognized | faded or streaky prints | printer printing the wrong colors
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