https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/Office-Printers/mx870-ink-catridge-usage/m-p/157679#M2887 <P>220 is used for printing text documents. 221 inks are used for color photo printing.&nbsp;</P><P>&nbsp;</P><P>You can buy 220 without the 221.&nbsp;</P> Thu, 03 Dec 2015 04:17:07 GMT jrhoffman75 2015-12-03T04:17:07Z https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/Office-Printers/mx870-ink-catridge-usage/m-p/157669#M2886 <P>the printer sucks up the black ink from the fat 220 cartridge, and leaves the slender 221 black ink cartridges alone.&nbsp; thus, i have several 221 cartridges sitting here (from color packs) and must continue to purchase the 220s.&nbsp; any insights?</P> Wed, 02 Dec 2015 23:41:10 GMT https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/Office-Printers/mx870-ink-catridge-usage/m-p/157669#M2886 hyepriestess 2015-12-02T23:41:10Z https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/Office-Printers/mx870-ink-catridge-usage/m-p/157679#M2887 <P>220 is used for printing text documents. 221 inks are used for color photo printing.&nbsp;</P><P>&nbsp;</P><P>You can buy 220 without the 221.&nbsp;</P> Thu, 03 Dec 2015 04:17:07 GMT https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/Office-Printers/mx870-ink-catridge-usage/m-p/157679#M2887 jrhoffman75 2015-12-03T04:17:07Z