topic Prograf Pro-4600 Inks: Do the PFI-3100 inks have an expiration date? in Production Printing

Prograf Pro-4600 Inks: Do the PFI-3100 inks have an expiration date?

Kevin4600 — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 16:54:32 GMT

I just ordered and received a full set of 160 ml inks for my Prograf Pro-4600. It appears that some are expired. There is a lot number and a date on the side of the box. Some have dates that are in the future, such as 2028. Others have a date from last year. Are they expired and should I return them? I do not print a high volume so I need the inks to be useable for a while.

Re: Prograf Pro-4600 Inks: Do the PFI-3100 inks have an expiration date?

shadowsports — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 20:01:46 GMT

Greetings,

The lot number identifies the manufacturing location. The date is the date of manufacturer. In general you want inks that were manufactured in the last 12 months for best results.

Re: Prograf Pro-4600 Inks: Do the PFI-3100 inks have an expiration date?

Kevin4600 — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 20:13:37 GMT

All of the boxes that I received have a lot number and what appears to be a date (year and month). Some of those dates are in the future, such as 2028.07, so I am assuming that this is not a date of manufacture. Some of the boxes, but not all, have an additional sticker (the size of a retail store price sticker) that looks like it indicates a month and year, such as 4 25. Can anyone provide clarification about that these all mean? Thanks.

Here's a photo:

Re: Prograf Pro-4600 Inks: Do the PFI-3100 inks have an expiration date?

SignifDigits — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 22:29:58 GMT

The dates in the black squares are clearly marked "Install before" dates. My wild guess would be that 04 25 was the date that your seller put those boxes on their shelves (or received them, etc. - something along those lines). Those labels are not from the factory, so another wild guess might be more right than mine. You could ask your seller I suppose?

Re: Prograf Pro-4600 Inks: Do the PFI-3100 inks have an expiration date?

jrhoffman75 — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 23:00:15 GMT

@Kevin4600 wrote:

I just ordered and received a full set of 160 ml inks for my Prograf Pro-4600. It appears that some are expired. There is a lot number and a date on the side of the box. Some have dates that are in the future, such as 2028. Others have a date from last year. Are they expired and should I return them? I do not print a high volume so I need the inks to be useable for a while.

You might want to contact the Canon support line for your region. If you are in the US it is 1-800-OK-CANON.

In previous posts Canon reps have stated that Canon inks don't have true expiration dates but they can be affected if not stored properly. The older the cartridge the more likely it could be exposed to adverse conditions.

https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/Desktop-Inkjet-Printers/Ink-expiration-date/m-p/477340

Re: Prograf Pro-4600 Inks: Do the PFI-3100 inks have an expiration date?

Kevin4600 — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 23:25:22 GMT

Thanks for the reply. That helps. It actually wasn't clear to me that those were the "install before" dates, but yes now I see it and yes that makes sense. In that case, I am going to return the ones with old dates. Thanks for your help.

Re: Prograf Pro-4600 Inks: Do the PFI-3100 inks have an expiration date?

shadowsports — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 23:38:05 GMT

Greetings,

Agree with my colleagues. Those stickers weren't put on the box by Canon.