Canon PIXMA MP960 Ink Cartridges
Your Canon PIXMA MP960 uses the PGI-5 and CLI-8 cartridge series. Ink Depot has been supplying consumables for this photo printer since Sep 2009. This 6-ink printing system uses high-density PGI-5BK pigment black for text, alongside CLI-8 dye inks including CLI-8PC photo cyan and CLI-8PM photo magenta for subtle tonal gradations in photo prints. Because lighter photo shades deplete faster during high-resolution printing, stocking extra photo cartridges keeps your workflow uninterrupted. Our 4.8 Google rating reflects a long-standing track record of premium cartridge performance.
Page yield expectations for 6-colour photo printing
Page yields for Canon CLI-8 dye inks and PGI-5BK pigment cartridges are measured under ISO/IEC standards. Photo ink cartridges like CLI-8PC and CLI-8PM yield differently based on image coverage and colour distribution, with light background areas consuming photo shades faster than primary colours.
| Cartridge Number | Type | Colour | Page Yield | Cost Per Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLI-8BK | Standard | Black | 65 | $0.46 |
| PGI-5BK | Standard | Black | 360 | $0.080 |
| CLI-8PC | Standard | Cyan | 32 | $0.94 |
| CLI-8C | Standard | Cyan | 62 | $0.49 |
| CLI-8PM | Standard | Magenta | 24 | $1.33 |
| CLI-8M | Standard | Magenta | 53 | $0.57 |
| CLI-8Y | Standard | Yellow | 40 | $0.34 |
Cost Per Page = Total Cartridge Price ÷ Page Yield (at 5% coverage). Prices based on Genuine cartridges.
Choosing between genuine and compatible CLI-8 and PGI-5 options
Both original Canon cartridges and low-cost compatible alternatives are available for this printer. Compatible CLI-8 and PGI-5BK cartridges deliver high print clarity while significantly reducing ongoing replacement expense. Under Australian Consumer Law, using compatible cartridges does not void your printer warranty. If you are comparing performance characteristics, read our genuine vs compatible cartridge guide to select the right option for your printing needs.
How to order replacement cartridges
If you produce high volumes of lab-quality photo prints, purchasing CLI-8 colour value packs helps balance overall cartridge consumption across all six slots. For general document printing, keeping spare PGI-5BK pigment cartridges ensures crisp text pages without delay. All compatible items come backed by our money-back guarantee, detailed in our returns policy. Free delivery applies on all orders over $99, dispatched quickly from our warehouses in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Browse our full range of Canon ink cartridges for reliable supply.
Photo printing recommendation
When printing continuous photo series, Photo Cyan (CLI-8PC) and Photo Magenta (CLI-8PM) inks deplete faster than standard CLI-8C and CLI-8M tanks due to light-density shading; always keep spare photo shades on hand to prevent multi-cartridge print halts midway through a job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Canon PIXMA MP960 require both standard CLI-8 colours and photo inks?
This 6-cartridge system uses standard CLI-8 Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow alongside light CLI-8PC Photo Cyan and CLI-8PM Photo Magenta. The dedicated photo inks handle delicate mid-tones and skin tones in photo prints, reducing graininess while standard colours produce vivid, saturated hues.
Can I print black text documents using only the PGI-5BK pigment cartridge?
Yes. The PGI-5BK cartridge contains pigment-based black ink engineered specifically for sharp, smudge-resistant text on plain paper. The CLI-8BK dye black cartridge is reserved primarily for photo printing to enrich deep shadow detail on glossy paper stock.
What happens if one CLI-8 photo colour runs out while others are full?
The printer requires all six cartridges to have ink to operate. If CLI-8PC or CLI-8PM empties, photo printing will pause until replaced. Buying individual replacement tanks or bundled packs ensures you can replace specific depleted shades immediately.
