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\nMeet the ink cartridges<\/h3>\n
Canon mainly sells two types of ink cartridges:<\/p>\n
Some Canon printers use a black and tri-color cartridge and some use individual ink cartridges.<\/p>\n
Both types of cartridges deliver the same high print quality that you expect from Canon, but many consumers prefer individual ink cartridges since they offer more flexibility and a better long-term savings.<\/p>\n
\nBlack and Tri-Color Cartridges<\/strong><\/h4>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/canon-black-and-tri-color-1.png\")
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Most Canon printers that use black and tri-color cartridges are inexpensive.\u00a0 Also known as a integrated printer cartridges because they have a built-in printhead,\u00a0 these types of cartridges can be pricey to replace and if you print often, you will likely spend more on replacement ink than the price of the printer.\u00a0 The black cartridge uses strictly black ink and the tri-color cartridge has three separate chambers that are filled with cyan, magenta and yellow ink.<\/p>\n
Popular black and tri-color cartridge sets: <\/strong>Canon PG-240 black \/ CL-241 color, PG-245 black \/ CL-246 color, PG-260 black \/ CL-261 color and PG-275 \/ CL-276 color.<\/p>\nThe biggest gripe people have with these cartridges is the inefficiency of the tri-color cartridge: when one of the colors in the cartridge starts to get low, you need to replace the entire cartridge to continue printing.\u00a0 This means replacement costs add up fast if you do a lot of color printing.<\/p>\n
A Canon printer that uses individual ink cartridges is a better option for most because each color cartridge can be replaced as needed.\u00a0 Compared to individual ink cartridges or the MegaTank ink bottles that we discuss later in this article, black and tri-color cartridges are also the least ink efficient, meaning your printer is generally more expensive to operate when you compare the cost per page.<\/p>\n
For example, the Canon PG-260XL black ink cartridge is part of a black and tri-color ink cartridge set and prints up to 400 pages for $31.99*.\u00a0 To calculate cost per page, just divide those two numbers, and your general operating costs for printing with that cartridge is 7.9 cents per page.\u00a0 By comparison, an individual ink cartridge, the Canon PGI-280XL black, also prints 400 pages and retails for $24.99.\u00a0 Its operating costs are 6.2 cents a page, so you are saving money printing with the individual ink cartridge, even though both cartridges contain the same amount of ink.<\/p>\n
\nIndividual ink cartridges<\/strong><\/h4>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/individual-ink-cartridges-1.png\")
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Individual ink cartridges are typically grouped in a set of four cartridges: black, cyan, magenta and yellow.\u00a0 Some Canon photo printers that print more vibrantly require additional colors, like an additional black cartridge for photo printing, but most printer owners will find that their machine uses just the four cartridges.<\/p>\n
Printers that use individual ink cartridges are a smart buy because each cartridge can be replaced as needed.\u00a0 That means, if you are running low on cyan, you just need to replace that color and can continue printing.\u00a0 Many customers wonder if they need to have all the cartridges installed to print.\u00a0 The answer is YES.\u00a0 If one of the cartridges is missing from your printer it will not operate.<\/p>\n
Individual ink cartridges do not have an integrated printhead like the black and tri-color cartridges we mentioned earlier.\u00a0 Instead, they rely on the printhead inside the printer to help create a print.\u00a0 Both types of printheads work equally well.\u00a0 However, it\u2019s important to note, if you buy a printer with a built-in printhead, it may wear out over time and replacing it can be expensive.\u00a0 In fact, most would rather buy a new printer instead of replacing the printhead because the printer is usually less expensive.\u00a0 To get the most out of your printer and your ink printing longer, we recommend running the printhead cleaning function on your printer every few weeks. This keeps your cartridges primed so they are less susceptible to drying out in between print jobs.<\/p>\n
\nWhat cartridge sizes are available?<\/strong><\/h3>\nCanon sells most of their cartridges in a standard yield size and a high yield or XL.\u00a0 Some printers also use extra-high yield, or XXL cartridges.\u00a0 All three cartridge sizes are the exact same size and install in your printer the same way, the only difference is the amount of ink that is inside the cartridge.\u00a0 The high yield cartridges are slightly more expensive but generally a better long-term value than the standard yield when you compare the cost per page.\u00a0 At LD Products, most of our compatible cartridges are offered in a high yield so you can get the most value and print longer for less.\u00a0 To illustrate this, we\u2019ll compare the page yield and price of the Canon PG-280 ink cartridge series.\u00a0 Canon printers that work with this series can use Canon PG-280 standard yield, 280XL high yield and 280XXL extra high yield ink cartridges.\u00a0 As you can see in the chart below, the Canon PG-280 standard yield is the cheapest cartridge but has the highest cost per page, or highest operating costs.\u00a0 For frequent printer users, it makes sense to pay more for a higher yield cartridge because they offer a better overall value.\u00a0 If you print occasionally, you are fine spending a little less and going with standard yield cartridges.<\/p>\n
\n \n \n \n\n Cartridge Series<\/th> OEM Price*<\/th> Page Yield<\/th> Cost Per Page<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n\n \n Canon PG-280 Standard Yield Black<\/td> $15.99 <\/td> 200 Pages<\/td> 7.9 cents<\/td> <\/tr>\n \n Canon PG-280XL High Yield Black<\/td> $24.99 <\/td> 400 Pages<\/td> 6.2 cents<\/td> <\/tr>\n \n Canon PG-280XXL Extra High Yield Black<\/td> $34.99 <\/td> 600 Pages<\/td> 5.8 cents<\/td> <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n
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Most Canon printers that use black and tri-color cartridges are inexpensive.\u00a0 Also known as a integrated printer cartridges because they have a built-in printhead,\u00a0 these types of cartridges can be pricey to replace and if you print often, you will likely spend more on replacement ink than the price of the printer.\u00a0 The black cartridge uses strictly black ink and the tri-color cartridge has three separate chambers that are filled with cyan, magenta and yellow ink.<\/p>\n
Popular black and tri-color cartridge sets: <\/strong>Canon PG-240 black \/ CL-241 color, PG-245 black \/ CL-246 color, PG-260 black \/ CL-261 color and PG-275 \/ CL-276 color.<\/p>\n The biggest gripe people have with these cartridges is the inefficiency of the tri-color cartridge: when one of the colors in the cartridge starts to get low, you need to replace the entire cartridge to continue printing.\u00a0 This means replacement costs add up fast if you do a lot of color printing.<\/p>\n A Canon printer that uses individual ink cartridges is a better option for most because each color cartridge can be replaced as needed.\u00a0 Compared to individual ink cartridges or the MegaTank ink bottles that we discuss later in this article, black and tri-color cartridges are also the least ink efficient, meaning your printer is generally more expensive to operate when you compare the cost per page.<\/p>\n For example, the Canon PG-260XL black ink cartridge is part of a black and tri-color ink cartridge set and prints up to 400 pages for $31.99*.\u00a0 To calculate cost per page, just divide those two numbers, and your general operating costs for printing with that cartridge is 7.9 cents per page.\u00a0 By comparison, an individual ink cartridge, the Canon PGI-280XL black, also prints 400 pages and retails for $24.99.\u00a0 Its operating costs are 6.2 cents a page, so you are saving money printing with the individual ink cartridge, even though both cartridges contain the same amount of ink.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Individual ink cartridges are typically grouped in a set of four cartridges: black, cyan, magenta and yellow.\u00a0 Some Canon photo printers that print more vibrantly require additional colors, like an additional black cartridge for photo printing, but most printer owners will find that their machine uses just the four cartridges.<\/p>\n Printers that use individual ink cartridges are a smart buy because each cartridge can be replaced as needed.\u00a0 That means, if you are running low on cyan, you just need to replace that color and can continue printing.\u00a0 Many customers wonder if they need to have all the cartridges installed to print.\u00a0 The answer is YES.\u00a0 If one of the cartridges is missing from your printer it will not operate.<\/p>\n Individual ink cartridges do not have an integrated printhead like the black and tri-color cartridges we mentioned earlier.\u00a0 Instead, they rely on the printhead inside the printer to help create a print.\u00a0 Both types of printheads work equally well.\u00a0 However, it\u2019s important to note, if you buy a printer with a built-in printhead, it may wear out over time and replacing it can be expensive.\u00a0 In fact, most would rather buy a new printer instead of replacing the printhead because the printer is usually less expensive.\u00a0 To get the most out of your printer and your ink printing longer, we recommend running the printhead cleaning function on your printer every few weeks. This keeps your cartridges primed so they are less susceptible to drying out in between print jobs.<\/p>\n Canon sells most of their cartridges in a standard yield size and a high yield or XL.\u00a0 Some printers also use extra-high yield, or XXL cartridges.\u00a0 All three cartridge sizes are the exact same size and install in your printer the same way, the only difference is the amount of ink that is inside the cartridge.\u00a0 The high yield cartridges are slightly more expensive but generally a better long-term value than the standard yield when you compare the cost per page.\u00a0 At LD Products, most of our compatible cartridges are offered in a high yield so you can get the most value and print longer for less.\u00a0 To illustrate this, we\u2019ll compare the page yield and price of the Canon PG-280 ink cartridge series.\u00a0 Canon printers that work with this series can use Canon PG-280 standard yield, 280XL high yield and 280XXL extra high yield ink cartridges.\u00a0 As you can see in the chart below, the Canon PG-280 standard yield is the cheapest cartridge but has the highest cost per page, or highest operating costs.\u00a0 For frequent printer users, it makes sense to pay more for a higher yield cartridge because they offer a better overall value.\u00a0 If you print occasionally, you are fine spending a little less and going with standard yield cartridges.<\/p>\n
\nIndividual ink cartridges<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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\nWhat cartridge sizes are available?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\n \n\n Cartridge Series<\/th> OEM Price*<\/th> Page Yield<\/th> Cost Per Page<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Canon PG-280 Standard Yield Black<\/td> $15.99 <\/td> 200 Pages<\/td> 7.9 cents<\/td> <\/tr>\n \n Canon PG-280XL High Yield Black<\/td> $24.99 <\/td> 400 Pages<\/td> 6.2 cents<\/td> <\/tr>\n \n Canon PG-280XXL Extra High Yield Black<\/td> $34.99 <\/td> 600 Pages<\/td> 5.8 cents<\/td> <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n