Canon PIXMA iX6850 Inks: Your Guide to Exceptional A3+ Printing
The Canon PIXMA iX6850 remains a popular choice for users demanding high-quality A3+ document and photo printing at an affordable price point. A crucial element in achieving its impressive output is, of course, the ink it uses. This article delves into everything you need to know about Canon PIXMA iX6850 inks, from genuine cartridges to compatible options and tips for optimizing your printing experience.
Canon Pixma ix6850 Inks
The Power of Genuine Canon Inks: ChromaLife100+
The Canon PIXMA iX6850 utilizes a 5-ink individual ink tank system, designed to deliver crisp text and vibrant colors. Canon’s genuine inks for the iX6850 are part of their ChromaLife100+ system. This advanced ink technology, when combined with genuine Canon photo paper, offers several key benefits:
- Exceptional Longevity: Prints are designed to resist fading for up to 100 years when stored in an album, ensuring your memories and important documents last for generations.
- Vibrant Colors: The dye-based color inks (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) produce a wide color gamut, resulting in vivid and lifelike photos.
- Sharp Text: The dedicated pigment black ink cartridge (PGI-550PGBK) ensures sharp, crisp text for professional-looking documents.
- Reliability: Genuine Canon cartridges are engineered to work seamlessly with your iX6850 printer, minimizing clogs, print head issues, and ensuring consistent print quality.
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Canon PIXMA iX6850 Ink Cartridge Numbers
To ensure you purchase the correct ink, familiarize yourself with the specific cartridge numbers for the Canon PIXMA iX6850:
- Pigment Black: PGI-550PGBK (for sharp text)
- Black: CLI-551BK (for photo printing and color documents)
- Cyan: CLI-551C
- Magenta: CLI-551M
- Yellow: CLI-551Y
These cartridges are available in standard and XL (extra large) sizes. The XL cartridges contain more ink, offering a lower cost per page and reducing the frequency of replacements, ideal for high-volume printing.
Compatible and Remanufactured Ink Cartridges: An Alternative?
For budget-conscious users, compatible and remanufactured ink cartridges offer a potentially more affordable alternative to genuine Canon inks.
- Compatible Cartridges: These are brand-new cartridges produced by third-party manufacturers, designed to function like the original Canon cartridges.
- Remanufactured Cartridges: These are original Canon cartridges that have been recycled, cleaned, refilled with ink, and tested by a third party.
Considerations when using non-genuine inks:
- Print Quality: While many reputable compatible ink manufacturers offer excellent print quality, there can be variations. Some users report slight differences in color accuracy or longevity compared to genuine inks.
- Printer Compatibility: While designed to be compatible, occasionally non-genuine cartridges may trigger error messages or have difficulty being recognized by the printer.
- Warranty: Using non-genuine inks may void your printer’s warranty with some manufacturers, although this is becoming less common and often depends on the specific issue. It’s always wise to check your printer’s warranty terms.
- Reliability: Genuine cartridges generally offer the highest level of reliability and consistency. Non-genuine options can sometimes be more prone to issues like clogging or leaks if not manufactured to high standards.
Recommendation: If you opt for compatible or remanufactured inks, always purchase from a reputable supplier with good customer reviews and a clear return policy.
Tips for Optimizing Your Canon PIXMA iX6850 Ink Usage
Maximizing the life of your ink cartridges can save you money and reduce waste:
- Print in Draft Mode: For non-essential documents, select “Draft” or “Economy” print quality in your printer settings. This uses less ink.
- Print in Grayscale: If color isn’t necessary, choose “Grayscale” or “Black and White” to conserve color inks.
- Utilize Print Preview: Before printing, use the print preview function to catch any errors or unnecessary pages, preventing wasted ink and paper.
- Perform Regular Nozzle Checks: If you notice streaky or faded prints, perform a nozzle check and print head cleaning through your printer’s utility software. This can resolve minor clogs and improve print quality.
- Store Cartridges Properly: Store new, unopened ink cartridges in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Don’t Rush Replacements: Your printer will typically warn you when an ink cartridge is low. However, you can often continue printing until the quality significantly degrades or the printer genuinely stops.
- Consider XL Cartridges: As mentioned, XL cartridges offer a better cost per page for frequent printers.
Where to Buy Canon PIXMA iX6850 Inks
You can purchase Canon PIXMA iX6850 inks from a variety of retailers:
- Canon’s Official Website: For genuine Canon inks, this is a direct and reliable source.
- Major Electronics Retailers: Stores like Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot, and others typically stock genuine Canon inks.
- Online Retailers: Amazon, eBay, and specialized ink and toner websites offer a wide selection of both genuine and compatible cartridges.
- Local Office Supply Stores: Your local stationery or office supply store may also carry them.
Conclusion
The Canon PIXMA iX6850 is a fantastic printer for anyone needing high-quality A3+ output. Understanding its ink system, knowing your cartridge options, and implementing smart printing habits will ensure you get the most out of your printer, producing stunning prints while managing your running costs effectively.
Whether you choose genuine Canon ChromaLife100+ inks for their unparalleled quality and longevity or explore reputable compatible alternatives, informed decisions will lead to a satisfying printing experience.