Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 Ink Cartridges
Your Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 uses the PFI-300 cartridge series, which is an advanced 10-ink Lucia Pro pigment system engineered for exhibition-quality output. We have been supplying premium print consumables for this printer since 24 Aug 2020, helping fine-art photographers and creative professionals maintain precise tonal control. Because this system draws from distinct photo and matte black tanks alongside a specialised gloss-optimising coat, tracking individual depletion patterns is essential. Studio work naturally reveals that complex colour combinations exhaust specific ink tanks far faster than others, making targeted replacements a routine necessity for continuous, uninterrupted studio production.
What to expect from each cartridge type
Page yields for fine-art photography vary drastically depending on the print sizes, paper surfaces, and tonal distributions within your images. Canon calculates standard yields using the ISO/IEC 29103 testing pattern for colour photo production, which provides an approximate guide for everyday usage.
| Cartridge Number | Type | Colour | Page Yield | Cost Per Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFI-300MBK | Standard | Black | 300 | $0.084 |
| PFI-300PBK | Standard | Photo Black | 300 | $0.084 |
| PFI-300PC | Standard | Cyan | 300 | $0.084 |
| PFI-300C | Standard | Cyan | 300 | $0.084 |
| PFI-300PM | Standard | Magenta | 300 | $0.084 |
| PFI-300M | Standard | Magenta | 300 | $0.084 |
| PFI-300GY | Standard | Yellow | 300 | $0.084 |
| PFI-300Y | Standard | Yellow | 300 | $0.084 |
| PFI-300CO | Standard | Chrome optimizer | 300 | $0.084 |
| PFI-300R | Standard | Red | 300 | $0.084 |
Cost Per Page = Total Cartridge Price ÷ Page Yield (at 5% coverage). Prices based on Genuine cartridges.
Choosing the right cartridge setup
Managing a 10-ink production printer means certain colours will deplete faster depending on your portfolio. Landscape photographers usually deplete photo cyan and chroma optimiser rapidly, whereas portrait work exhausts grey and magenta tanks first. If you find your colour usage patterns cause constant print pauses, purchasing full bundle sets ensures you have critical backups on hand when a specific channel runs dry. For those who print selectively, purchasing single genuine individual cartridges prevents ink starvation across lines. Every item is backed by our direct guarantee, and detailed terms can be found via our returns policy. Free delivery applies on all orders over $99 (conditions apply), shipped directly from our national distribution network with stock located in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. For other models, explore our comprehensive range of Canon ink cartridges.
Pro Tip
Never turn off your imagePROGRAF printer using an external power strip or timer switch. Pulling power abruptly forces the printhead to remain uncapped, which accelerates ink evaporation and triggers heavy, wasteful auto-cleaning cycles upon the next startup to clear dried Lucia Pro pigment ink.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PFI-300CO Chrome Optimiser run out faster than actual colour cartridges?
The Chrome Optimiser functions as a clear coat applied across the entire surface of glossy and semi-gloss papers to eliminate bronzing and gloss differential. Because it covers a wider surface area of the paper than individual image pigments, it routinely depletes ahead of the standard colour inks during high-gloss print runs.
Can I leave an empty PFI-300 ink tank in the printer while finishing a print job?
No, the printer requires all ten channels to have installed, functioning cartridges with ink present. Running a channel completely empty risks pulling air into the micro-nozzles of the fine printhead, which can cause permanent thermal damage to the firing elements.
How does changing from glossy to fine-art matte paper affect matte black ink depletion?
Unlike older generations that shared a physical line, this printer utilises dedicated nozzles for both Matte Black (PFI-300MBK) and Photo Black (PFI-300PBK). Switching paper profiles changes the ink delivery path in the software, instantly routing matte black ink without wasteful line-purging cycles.
