Guide

Canon PFI-3100 Ink Cartridges

Updated

Our top pick Canon PFI-3100B $170 CAD
See every product in this guide Free shipping across Canada over $200 CAD

Canon PFI-3100 is the ink for Canon printers.

$170 CAD Details →

All Canon PFI-3100 cartridges

Cartridge Type Color Page yield
Canon PFI-3100B Blue Pigment Ink Tank 160ml Genuine · Standard Blue —
Canon PFI-3100CO Chroma Optimizer Pigment Ink Tank 160ml in Retail Package Genuine · Standard Chroma Optimizer —
Canon PFI-3100PM Photo Magenta Pigment Ink Tank 160ml Genuine · Standard Magenta —
Canon CES Imaging ImagePROGRAF PFI-3100PBK Genuine · Standard Photo Black —
Canon PFI-3100R Red Pigment Ink Tank 160ml Genuine · Standard Red —

FAQ

What is the part number for Canon PFI-3100?
6422C001, 6427C001, 6428C001, 6430C001, 6432C001.

Not sure it fits?
Send us your printer model and we'll confirm before you order.

More: all Canon toner & ink · find my toner

Related guides

All toner & ink by brand →

Learn before you buy

Understanding the Canon PFI-3100B

What this is

Ink is liquid that an inkjet printer sprays through tiny nozzles. It is great for photos and color, but it can dry out if a printer sits unused for weeks. Print a page every week or two to keep the nozzles clear.

Genuine (also called OEM or original) means made by Canon. It gives the most consistent quality and color, and it is what the manufacturer designs and tests the printer with.

Page yield & cost per page

Page yield is how many pages a cartridge prints in the industry-standard test (ISO/IEC 24711). That test prints pages with about 5% coverage, roughly a short business letter. Pages full of photos or dark graphics use more, so your real count may be lower.

Cost per page = price ÷ page yield. It is the fairest way to compare cartridges. High-yield (often marked X or XL) versions usually cost less per page. How yield works

How to install it

  1. Turn the printer on and open the ink access door. Wait for the carriage to stop.
  2. Press the tab and remove the empty cartridge.
  3. Unpack the new cartridge and pull off the plastic tape. Don't touch the copper contacts or nozzles.
  4. Push it into the slot of the matching color until it clicks.
  5. Close the door. Let the printer prime and run its alignment page.

Get more pages for your money

  • Don't swap at the first "low" warning. Most printers warn early. Keep printing until pages actually fade.
  • Use draft or toner-save mode for internal documents and printing you don't need to look sharp.
  • Print a little every week or two so ink doesn't dry in the nozzles. Avoid running too many cleaning cycles, which use ink.
  • Buy in pairs. Keeping one spare means you never stop mid-job, and larger orders get our volume discount.

Storage & shelf life

Keep spare cartridges sealed in their bag, lying flat, at room temperature and out of direct sunlight. Most are best used within about two years. Check the date on the box. Once opened, install the cartridge right away.

Will it fit my printer?

Match the cartridge number (this one is part number 6428C001) or your exact printer model, found on the front or top of the printer. Models that differ by one letter often take different cartridges.

Find my toner · Ask us to confirm

Printing 101

Toner & ink terms, explained

Page yield

How many pages a cartridge prints in the standard ISO test at about 5% coverage (a short letter). Heavy graphics and photos print fewer pages.

Standard, high yield, XL, XXL

Same printer, different amount of toner or ink. HP marks high yield with X (and A for standard), and Brother and Canon often use H, XL or XXL. Bigger cartridges cost more but less per page.

Cost per page

Cartridge price ÷ page yield. It is the fairest way to compare two cartridges, or two printers' running costs.

Genuine / OEM / original

Made by the printer brand itself. It gives the most consistent results and is what the printer was designed and tested with.

Compatible

A new cartridge made by another company to fit the same printers, usually 30–60% cheaper. Ours carry a 1-year replacement guarantee.

Remanufactured

An original cartridge that was emptied, cleaned, fitted with new worn parts and refilled. It is lower-cost and keeps cartridges out of landfill.

Drum unit

The laser printer part that transfers toner to paper. On many printers, especially Brother, it is separate from the toner and lasts through several toner cartridges.

Toner vs ink

Toner is a dry powder used by laser printers and never dries out. Ink is liquid used by inkjets, better for photos, but it can dry out if unused. More

Cartridge number vs part number

The cartridge number (like 58A or TN760) is the short name on the box. The part number (like CF258A) is the exact code. Both identify the same item. Match either one to your old cartridge.

Buying for several offices, or reselling? Get a volume quote or apply for wholesale pricing →

Shop this guide

Buy the products in this guide

Get a quote