Canon PGI-520, CLI-521 Ink Cartridges
The Canon PGI-520 and CLI-521 individual cartridge setup splits text pigment ink from photo dye inks, available in standard yields across both genuine and compatible options. Our 4.8 Google Star rating shows that our customers consistently receive high-quality cartridges backed by reliable performance. Buying multi-cartridge bundles or premium compatibles helps manage the high fluid consumption inherent to self-cleaning photo prints.
Printers Compatible with Canon PGI-520 & CLI-521 Ink Cartridges
Cartridge life and printing standards
Genuine Canon PGI-520 and CLI-521 cartridges are tested under the ISO/IEC 24711 standard for continuous inkjet printing. Individual page counts vary significantly from 330 pages for text black up to 1875 pages for photo black, alongside specific 1370-page grey allocations.
| Cartridge Number | Type | Colour | Page Yield | Cost Per Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLI-521BK | Standard | Black | 1,875 | $0.012 |
| PGI-520BK | Standard | Black | 350 | $0.067 |
| CLI-521C | Standard | Cyan | 505 | $0.046 |
| CLI-521M | Standard | Magenta | 471 | $0.049 |
| CLI-521Y | Standard | Yellow | 505 | $0.046 |
| CLI-521GY | Standard | Yellow | 1,370 | $0.017 |
Cost Per Page = Total Cartridge Price ÷ Page Yield (at 5% coverage). Prices based on Genuine cartridges.
Real-world usage behaviour and multi-ink systems
This five and six-cartridge configuration relies heavily on the non-printing maintenance cycles of your PIXMA printer. Photo printers execute automatic ink purges across every single nozzle line during startup to prevent clogs, meaning a dedicated grey or photo black cartridge will gradually deplete even if you only print plain monochrome office documents.
What to know about compatible cartridges
Under Australian Consumer Law, using compatible cartridges does not void your printer warranty. Third-party alternatives for the PGI-520BK and CLI-521 series offer a direct physical match for the original slots and replicate the integrated microchips to allow proper electronic low-ink alerts. You can read a complete breakdown of your consumer rights on our genuine vs compatible cartridges reference guide.
Selecting your cartridge setup and delivery
If your printing consists mostly of text documents, you will exhaust the large PGI-520 pigment black cartridge rapidly while dye inks remain mostly static. For high-density photo output on glossy media, ordering multi-ink bundles avoids stalling your printer when a single colour line drops out. Compatible cartridges supplied by Ink Depot are backed by a complete money-back guarantee if they do not perform to expectations. Our full return terms are listed on our Returns policy. We ship all orders out of regional distribution centers located in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. Free delivery applies on all orders over $99 (conditions apply). You can find more items by visiting the main Canon ink cartridges category page.
Pro Tip
Do not mistake the CLI-521BK photo black cartridge for the PGI-520BK text black cartridge during installation. The PGI-520BK uses a larger shell filled with pigment ink designed exclusively for crisp plain paper text, while the slimmer CLI-521BK contains dye-based ink intended to bond with gloss photo papers; swapping them or forcing them into the wrong slots will cause immediate text smudging and incorrect colour mixing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my CLI-521GY grey cartridge running out when I rarely print black and white photos?
Canon PIXMA printers utilise the CLI-521GY grey ink across both monochrome and colour print profiles to balance neutral mid-tones, desaturate bright backgrounds, and minimise print grain. Furthermore, the printer flushes ink from all installed lines during regular automated printhead cleaning cycles, causing the grey ink level to decline even during plain text production.
Can I leave an empty CLI-521 ink slot vacant while I continue printing with the other colours?
No, your PIXMA printer will lock out all print commands if a single PGI-520 or CLI-521 cartridge is missing or reported as entirely empty by its onboard chip. Operating the printhead with empty ink chambers risks permanent thermal damage to the printhead nozzles, which rely on flowing ink to stay cool during firing.
What is the practical difference between the PGI-520 and CLI-521 black cartridges?
The PGI-520BK is a larger cartridge containing thick, smudge-resistant pigment ink tailored specifically for sharp document text on matte copy paper. The CLI-521BK is a smaller cartridge filled with dye ink designed to sink smoothly into glossy photo media to produce deep black tones without leaving a dull surface residue.
