Does a Canon Printer Come with Color Ink? Everything You Need to Know (2026 Guide)

Meta Title: Does a Canon Printer Come with Color Ink? Guide (2026)

Meta Description: Does a Canon printer come with color ink? Learn what ink is included with Canon printers, starter cartridges and MegaTank ink bottles.

Does a Canon Printer Come with Color Ink? Everything You Need to Know (2026 Guide)

If you’re planning to buy a Canon printer, one of the first questions you may ask is:

Does a Canon printer come with color ink?

The answer is yes in most cases. Most Canon color inkjet printers include color ink cartridges or ink bottles in the box, allowing you to start printing immediately after setup.

However, the type and amount of ink included depends on the printer model. Canon offers several printer families, including PIXMA, MAXIFY, MegaTank, imageCLASS, and imagePROGRAF, and each handles ink differently.

In this updated 2026 guide, we’ll explain:

• Whether Canon printers include color ink
• What starter cartridges are
• Which Canon printers support color printing
• Canon MegaTank ink systems
• How much ink is included
• Frequently asked questions about Canon printer ink

Let’s take a closer look.

Quick Answer

Yes, most Canon color inkjet printers come with color ink included in the box.

Depending on the model, Canon provides:

• Color ink cartridges
• Starter ink cartridges
• Refillable color ink bottles (MegaTank models)

However, monochrome Canon laser printers usually include only black toner because they are designed for black-and-white printing.

Do Canon Printers Come with Ink?

In most cases, Canon includes ink supplies with every new printer.

The included ink allows users to:

• Complete printer setup
• Perform printhead alignment
• Run test prints
• Begin printing immediately

The exact type of ink depends on the printer category.

Types of Canon Ink Systems

Canon printers generally use one of two systems.

1. Cartridge-Based Ink System

Many Canon PIXMA and MAXIFY printers use traditional cartridges.

Common configurations include:

Two-Cartridge System

Includes:

• One black cartridge
• One color cartridge

The color cartridge contains:

• Cyan
• Magenta
• Yellow

This setup is common in entry-level home printers.

Individual Color Cartridge System

Higher-end Canon printers often use:

• Black
• Cyan
• Magenta
• Yellow

as separate cartridges.

Benefits include:

• Better color accuracy
• Lower replacement costs
• Less ink waste

You only replace the color that runs out.

2. Canon MegaTank Ink System

Canon MegaTank printers use refillable ink tanks instead of cartridges.

These printers include:

• Black ink bottle
• Cyan ink bottle
• Magenta ink bottle
• Yellow ink bottle

The included ink bottles can often print thousands of pages before requiring refills.

Which Canon Printers Come with Color Ink?

Most Canon inkjet printers support color printing and include color ink.

Canon PIXMA Series

Popular models include:

• Canon PIXMA TS Series
• Canon PIXMA TR Series
• Canon PIXMA MG Series

These printers are commonly used for:

• Home printing
• School projects
• Photos
• Everyday documents

They typically include:

• Black ink cartridge
• Color ink cartridge

inside the box.

Canon MegaTank Series

Popular models include:

• Canon PIXMA G3270
• Canon PIXMA G3770
• Canon PIXMA G6020
• Canon PIXMA G7020

These printers include:

• Full-size color ink bottles
• Black ink bottle

and are designed for high-volume printing.

Canon MAXIFY Series

Canon MAXIFY printers are built for:

• Small businesses
• Home offices
• Professional users

Most MAXIFY printers include:

• Color cartridges
• Black cartridges

during initial setup.

Canon imagePROGRAF Series

Professional imagePROGRAF printers support:

• Photo printing
• Large-format printing
• Graphic design
• Poster production

These printers include specialized color ink systems designed for professional output.

What Are Starter Ink Cartridges?

Many Canon printers include what are known as:

Starter Cartridges

Starter cartridges are designed to:

• Set up the printer
• Perform calibration
• Print initial documents

They generally contain less ink than standard replacement cartridges.

Why Does Canon Use Starter Cartridges?

During setup, printers consume ink for:

• Printhead priming
• Nozzle preparation
• Alignment procedures

Starter cartridges provide enough ink to begin using the printer immediately.

How Much Ink Is Included?

The amount varies depending on the model.

Standard Cartridge Printers

Usually include:

• One black cartridge
• One color cartridge

with reduced capacity compared to retail replacements.

MegaTank Printers

Usually include:

• Full black ink bottle
• Full cyan ink bottle
• Full magenta ink bottle
• Full yellow ink bottle

Many MegaTank models can print:

• Thousands of black pages
• Thousands of color pages

before needing refills.

Do Canon Laser Printers Come with Color Ink?

This depends on the model.

Monochrome Canon Laser Printers

Examples:

• Canon imageCLASS LBP Series

These printers include:

• Black toner only

They do not support color printing.

Color Canon Laser Printers

Examples:

• Canon Color imageCLASS Series

These printers include:

• Black toner
• Cyan toner
• Magenta toner
• Yellow toner

allowing full-color printing.

Can You Print Without Color Ink?

This depends on your Canon printer model.

Some Canon printers allow:

• Black-only printing
• Grayscale mode

Others may require:

• All cartridges installed
• Minimum ink levels in color cartridges

before printing can continue.

Check your printer’s specifications for exact behavior.

Canon MegaTank vs Cartridge Printers

Canon MegaTank Advantages

• Lower printing costs
• Higher page yields
• Less waste
• Fewer interruptions

Ideal for:

• Schools
• Businesses
• High-volume users

Cartridge Printer Advantages

• Lower purchase price
• Easier replacement process
• Compact design

Ideal for:

• Occasional home printing
• Students
• Casual users

Tips for Better Color Printing

To get the best results:

Use Genuine Canon Ink

Original Canon ink provides:

• Better color accuracy
• Improved reliability
• Longer printhead life

Use High-Quality Paper

Quality paper improves:

• Color vibrancy
• Sharpness
• Durability

Keep the Printhead Clean

Run maintenance cycles periodically to prevent:

• Missing colors
• Streaking
• Poor print quality

Update Printer Drivers

Updated software helps ensure:

• Better performance
• Improved compatibility
• Accurate color reproduction

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Canon printer come with color ink?

Yes. Most Canon color inkjet printers include color ink cartridges or color ink bottles in the box.

Do Canon MegaTank printers come with color ink?

Yes. Canon MegaTank printers include cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink bottles.

How long does the included Canon ink last?

It depends on usage. Starter cartridges typically contain less ink, while MegaTank bottles can print thousands of pages.

Do Canon laser printers come with color toner?

Only color laser models include color toner. Monochrome laser printers include black toner only.

Can I use third-party Canon ink?

You can, but Canon recommends genuine ink for optimal print quality, reliability, and warranty protection.

Final Verdict: Does a Canon Printer Come with Color Ink?

Yes, most Canon printers designed for color printing come with color ink included. Whether you choose a Canon PIXMA, MAXIFY, MegaTank, or imagePROGRAF printer, you’ll typically receive the necessary color cartridges or ink bottles to start printing immediately.

The only major exception is monochrome Canon laser printers, which are designed exclusively for black-and-white printing and therefore include only black toner.

If color printing is important for your home, office, photography, or creative projects, Canon offers a wide range of printers that come ready to print in full color straight out of the box. Understanding the type of ink system included can help you choose the best Canon printer for your specific needs in 2026.