Canon PGI-1600, PGI-1600XL Ink Cartridges
Canon PGI-1600 and PGI-1600XL ink cartridges support high-frequency commercial printing across the MAXIFY small business printer series. These individual ink tanks are supplied in standard capacities or PGI-1600XL high-yield options, alongside direct compatible alternatives that lower printing costs significantly. Our 4.8 Google Star rating shows that our customers consistently receive high-quality cartridges backed by reliable performance.
Printers Compatible with Canon PGI-1600 Ink Cartridges
What to expect from each cartridge type
The genuine PGI-1600BK black tank produces 400 pages, while the PGI-1600XLBK high-yield upgrade increases output to 1200 pages. All PGI-1600 cyan, magenta, and yellow colour variants yield 300 pages in standard and 900 pages in XL sizes, measured via rigorous ISO/IEC 24711 business document testing standards.
| Cartridge Number | Type | Colour | Page Yield | Cost Per Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGI-1600BK | Standard | Black | 400 | $0.083 |
| PGI-1600C | Standard | Cyan | 300 | $0.073 |
| PGI-1600M | Standard | Magenta | 300 | $0.073 |
| PGI-1600Y | Standard | Yellow | 300 | $0.073 |
| PGI-1600XLBK | High Yield | Black | 1,200 | $0.037 |
| PGI-1600XLC | High Yield | Light Cyan | 900 | $0.034 |
| PGI-1600XLM | High Yield | Light Magenta | 900 | $0.034 |
| PGI-1600XLY | High Yield | Yellow | 900 | $0.034 |
Cost Per Page = Total Cartridge Price ÷ Page Yield (at 5% coverage). Prices based on Genuine cartridges.
When users switch to a high yield setup
Daily business printing consumes small-capacity cartridges too rapidly, causing unnecessary downtime. Moving from standard tanks to a PGI-1600XL 4-pack or 8-pack bundle drops the out-of-pocket costs and ensures replacement ink is on standby. For text-dense reports, choosing high-yield black is the most cost-effective path, whereas offices printing heavy coloured graphics or invoices will benefit from the matching 900-page XL colour cartridges.
Free delivery applies on all orders over $99 (conditions apply). To maintain rapid distribution, we dispatch text and colour consumables from dedicated warehouses in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. All compatible stock includes an automatic money-back guarantee if performance is not met, managed under our return guidelines. For separate printer configurations, see our full line of Canon ink cartridges.
Understanding compatible cartridges
Third-party alternatives offer significant financial savings for cost-conscious offices without sacrificing print longevity. Under Australian Consumer Law, using compatible cartridges does not void your printer warranty. If you want to review the full legal guidelines, read our blog post on the subject.
Pro Tip
MAXIFY printers require all four ink slots to contain functional cartridges to execute any print job, even if you are only printing a mono text document. If a single colour cartridge like cyan drops below its physical operation threshold, the entire printer will lock out until that specific colour tank is replaced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do PGI-1600XL compatible inks offer a lower cost per page than genuine tanks?
Compatible PGI-1600XL cartridges use premium third-party pigment ink formulated to match original performance specifications, but escape the manufacturer development and printer subsidisation costs. This structural difference allows the cartridges to match the 1200-page black and 900-page colour thresholds at a fraction of the price.
Can I mix a genuine black cartridge with compatible PGI-1600XL colour cartridges?
Yes, the internal microchips on our compatible tanks are designed to communicate alongside original Canon chips. The printer micro-controller will monitor individual ink levels across mixed brands without creating firmware communication faults or diagnostic errors.
Will using highlighter pens smear text printed with these cartridges?
No, both genuine and compatible PGI-1600 series inks use dual-resistant high-density pigment ink rather than dye ink. This specific formulation binds tightly to plain paper fibres, making printouts instantly smear-resistant and impervious to water or text highlighters in a busy office environment.
