Canon PIXMA TS5160 Ink Cartridges
Your Canon PIXMA TS5160 uses the PG-640 / CL-641 cartridge series, a two-cartridge system consisting of one black and one tri-colour ink. This configuration is standard for home office and student environments where text documents are the primary output. Because the tri-colour cartridge houses cyan, magenta, and yellow in a single unit, it is most efficient for users who print a balanced mix of colours. Heavy use of a single shade, such as a logo or border, will deplete the entire cartridge once that specific reservoir runs dry, necessitating a full replacement.
Genuine vs compatible cartridges
You have the choice between original Canon supplies and high-quality compatible alternatives. Both options are designed to work seamlessly with the fine printhead technology in your printer. Under Australian Consumer Law, using compatible cartridges does not void your printer warranty. For those looking to reduce their printing costs without sacrificing reliability, our compatibles come with a full money-back guarantee. You can read more about this in our guide to genuine vs compatible cartridges.
Choosing the right cartridge setup
Managing your ink depends largely on your weekly printing habits. If you mainly print text-heavy documents, the PG-640XXL black cartridge offers the most stable output for high-volume monochrome tasks. For general home use, bundle packs containing both black and colour cartridges are the most popular choice as they ensure you have both units ready when the printer signals a low ink warning. If you select compatibles and find they don't meet your expectations, we provide a 90-day returns policy. We ship all orders from our national network of warehouses in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth. Free delivery applies on all orders over $99 (conditions apply). You can view our full range of Canon ink cartridges online.
Expected page output and replacement cycles
Page yields for this series are determined by the ISO/IEC 24711 standard for inkjet printing, which uses a suite of five standard pages printed on plain paper. While the standard PG-640 and CL-641 cartridges are suitable for occasional use, students or home office users will find the XL and XXL versions provide a better experience by reducing the frequency of physical cartridge swaps. The XXL black cartridge is particularly useful as it carries significantly more ink than the standard version within the same physical footprint.
| Cartridge Number | Type | Colour | Page Yield | Cost Per Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PG-640 | Standard | Black | 180 | $0.14 |
| CL-641 | Standard | Colour | 180 | $0.19 |
| PG-640XL | High Yield | Black | 400 | $0.11 |
| CL-641XL | High Yield | Colour | 400 | $0.11 |
| PG-640XXL | Extra High Yield | Black | 600 | $0.081 |
Cost Per Page = Total Cartridge Price ÷ Page Yield (at 5% coverage)
Pro Tip
When the tri-colour cartridge runs low, avoid "printing to failure." Because the printhead is built into the PG-640 and CL-641 cartridges, running them completely bone-dry can cause heat buildup in the firing nozzles, potentially leading to streaks in your final prints even after a new cartridge is installed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install a PG-640XXL black cartridge even if I use a standard CL-641 colour cartridge?
Yes, you can mix and match different capacities. The standard, XL, and XXL versions all share the same physical dimensions and fit into the same slot. Using a higher-capacity black cartridge is a common strategy for users who print lots of text but very little colour.
Why does my colour cartridge feel heavy even when the printer says it is empty?
The CL-641 tri-colour cartridge contains three separate ink reservoirs. If you print images with a lot of one specific colour (like a blue sky), the cyan will run out first. Even if there is plenty of magenta and yellow left, the printer will stop to protect the printhead from damage caused by printing with an empty chamber.
How many black cartridges will I use compared to the colour unit?
For the average home office user, the black ink (PG-640) is typically replaced at a ratio of 2:1 or 3:1 compared to the colour unit (CL-641). This is why the PG-640XXL is a popular investment, as it aligns the replacement cycle more closely with the colour cartridge.
