Refilling an Original Canon® Large-Format Ink Cartridge
This guide describes how to refill large-format ink cartridges from the PFI series.
This guide shows a Canon PFI-3100 Magenta cartridge, which is originally filled with 160 ml of ink. In principle, the same procedure can also be used with other compatible PFI cartridges of similar construction.
Original Canon cartridges can be refilled through the two ink outlet openings on the underside.
Required Tools
The following items are required for the filling process:
- a large syringe, ideally with a capacity of approximately 50 ml (for filling)
- a sharp needle for injecting the ink
- an additional needle (for ventilation)
- one damp and one dry paper towel
- ink suitable for the respective printer model
Filling Data
Weight of the empty, prepared ink cartridge: 145.0 grams.
Weight of the ink added: 172.0 grams.
Weight of the refilled cartridge, ready for use: 317.0 grams.
Step 1: Vent the Cartridge
Position the cartridge so that the two outlet openings on the underside are easily accessible.
Carefully insert the needle of the small syringe without a plunger through the seal of the opening located closer to the center of the cartridge. This syringe allows the air inside the cartridge to escape while the ink is being added.
Step 2: Fill the Cartridge with Ink
Fill the syringe with the desired amount of ink.
Carefully insert the needle of the syringe through the seal of the second outlet opening.
Slowly and evenly inject the ink into the cartridge. As the ink flows in, the displaced air escapes through the second open needle.
The cartridge does not need to be filled completely. In this example, we add approximately 170 ml of ink because the cartridge was empty before refilling. Any amount of ink appropriate to the actual consumption may be added.
If ink begins to emerge from the ventilation needle, the cartridge is completely full or has been overfilled. Stop filling immediately and then remove approximately 20 ml of ink from the cartridge.
Step 3: Remove the Syringes
Once the desired amount of ink has been added, carefully withdraw both needles from the cartridge seals.
Step 4: Clean the Outlet Openings
First wipe both openings with a slightly damp paper towel.
Then carefully clean and dry the sealing openings using a folded corner of a dry paper towel. No ink residue should remain on the outside of the cartridge.
Step 5: Check for Leaks
Gently compress the cartridge and shake or move it slightly.
Check whether any ink escapes from the outlet openings or from any other part of the cartridge.
A leaking cartridge must not be inserted into the printer. Escaping ink may damage the printer or contaminate the cartridge compartment.
If the cartridge is leak-free, it can be reinserted into the printer.
The cartridge is now filled and ready for use.
Important Information
The ink level displayed by the printer is not determined directly by the actual amount of ink inside the cartridge, but by the cartridge chip. After refilling, the displayed ink level therefore remains at the same level as before the cartridge was refilled. The printer does not automatically detect the newly added ink.
Once the printer reports the cartridge as empty, it may be necessary to disable ink level monitoring for this cartridge in order to continue printing. The exact procedure varies depending on the printer model.
Please refer to the printer’s user manual. It explains how to disable ink level monitoring for an individual ink channel by pressing and holding the printer’s Stop button for five seconds. This deactivation is automatically cancelled as soon as a new original cartridge is inserted into the corresponding ink channel.
Disabling Ink Level Monitoring – What Users Should Know
When you refill original cartridges for a Canon® imagePROGRAF or PIXMA PRO printer, Support Code 1753 will eventually appear. This error code means that the ink cartridge chip has reached the “empty” status. The printer will then ask you to replace the cartridge with a new original cartridge.
Because the chip merely records the calculated ink consumption and cannot measure the actual ink level, this status remains unchanged even after the cartridge has been refilled. A refilled original cartridge will therefore continue to be recognized as empty.
For this situation, Canon® provides an option that allows you to continue printing. While Support Code 1753 is displayed, press and hold the printer’s Stop button for at least five seconds. This disables ink level monitoring for that specific cartridge, allowing the printer to continue operating.
What Happens After Ink Level Monitoring Is Disabled?
Many users are surprised that the ink level is no longer displayed afterward. This behavior is intentional and specified by Canon. Once ink level monitoring has been disabled, the printer can no longer calculate the ink consumption for that cartridge. For this reason, the ink level indicator disappears from both the printer display and the printer driver.
The function is only reactivated when a cartridge with a new chip is installed.
Our Recommendation
The option to disable ink level monitoring is a practical way to continue using a refilled original cartridge. However, the user then assumes responsibility for monitoring the actual ink level.
Check the ink level of your refilled cartridges regularly and refill them in good time. Do not rely solely on print quality as an indicator. If an ink tank runs completely empty, air may enter the ink system. This may require cleaning cycles and, in the worst case, could damage the printhead.
Our Tip
If you refill your original cartridges regularly, we recommend documenting the ink level each time you refill them or refilling the cartridges at fixed intervals. This helps prevent a tank from running empty unnoticed.
Important Note Regarding the Ink
Only use ink that has been specifically developed for the respective Canon printer model and ink system.
DISCLAIMER
We expressly point out that any modification of ink cartridges or printers is carried out at the user’s own risk. We accept no liability for any damage or injury resulting from the use of these instructions.
The instructions and information provided above are intended as suggestions only. Their use is voluntary and remains entirely the responsibility of the user. We accept no liability or warranty for damage or consequential damage to printers, printer components, tools, furniture, or farbenwerk products used during the process. Any work carried out on printers or printer components involves a risk of damage if performed incorrectly. Claims for reimbursement of costs or compensation, including claims relating to printer downtime, are expressly rejected.
Please read these instructions carefully before beginning to refill an ink cartridge.
