Collection: Canon Printer Ink

Compatible Canon Ink Cartridges: A Smart Way to Save

Castle Ink stocks compatible replacement ink cartridges for nearly every Canon PIXMA, MAXIFY, and SELPHY printer in the U.S. market. Our compatibles deliver the same vibrant photo prints and crisp text as Canon's ChromaLife OEM cartridges, but at savings of up to 75% off retail. Every cartridge is tested for compatibility, ships same-day from our U.S. warehouse, and is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.

Canon Ink Cartridge FAQs

What ink does my Canon printer use?

Canon home and small-office printers use one of three cartridge families: PG / CL series (e.g., PG-240/CL-241, PG-245/CL-246, PG-275/CL-276) for entry-level PIXMA models, the PGI / CLI series (e.g., PGI-270/CLI-271, PGI-280/CLI-281) for higher-end PIXMA all-in-ones, and the PGI-1200 / PGI-2200 series for MAXIFY office printers. To find the exact cartridge for your model, open the printer's cartridge access door — the cartridge number is printed on the label.

Are compatible Canon ink cartridges as good as OEM?

High-quality compatible Canon cartridges, including ours, are reverse-engineered to match OEM print quality, page yield, and dry-time. They use the same fade-resistant pigment and dye ink chemistry, and include the integrated print head where the OEM does. The main differences are price (typically 50-75% less than OEM) and branding. We back every cartridge with a satisfaction guarantee, so if a print job doesn't meet OEM-equivalent quality, we replace or refund.

Will compatible cartridges void my Canon printer warranty?

No. Under the U.S. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a manufacturer cannot void your printer warranty solely because you used a third-party cartridge. Canon's warranty only excludes damage caused by a defective non-OEM cartridge. Our compatibles are tested to meet OEM specs and ship with a satisfaction guarantee — if a defect causes printer damage, we cover it.

What's the difference between standard and XL Canon ink cartridges?

XL versions hold roughly 2x the ink of the standard cartridge but cost only a small premium. For most users — anyone printing more than a few pages a week — XL cartridges deliver a much lower cost-per-page. XXL versions, where Canon offers them (e.g., PG-240XXL, PGI-280XXL), hold roughly 3x the ink of the standard. The XL and XXL versions are physically interchangeable with standard cartridges in the same series.

How do I install a Canon ink cartridge?

Power on the printer and open the scanner unit or front cartridge cover. Wait for the cartridge holder to slide to the replacement position, press down on the empty cartridge to release it, then lift it out. Unwrap the new cartridge and remove the orange protective cap — never touch the gold contacts or the print nozzle. Insert the cartridge into the matching color slot at a slight angle and press up until you hear a click. Close the cover and let the printer run a quick alignment.

Canon Printer Ink Guides

Need help picking the right cartridge for your specific Canon printer? See these guides:

• What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA MG3620 Use?
• What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA TS3520 Use?