TC 21 and Canon PFI 050 CMYK bottled pigment inks Vs Canon GI 26 CMYK bottled inks

[nyprinterguy]

Hi, 

As the proud new owner of a TC 21 I have been told that the PFI 050 insets are not a subset of the 5 color Lucia TD inks

That being said and it's high quality Pigment ink I was told that the Pigment inks in the GI 26 CMYK bottles is the same formulation of ink, PH, Viscosity  etc

Is this true? Can the bigger bottled lower priced GI 26 inks be siphoned and used in PFI 050 bottles?

Thank you in advance for any answers!

[shadowsports]

Greetings, 

Congrats on the new device.  Since your question is in regards to ink viscosity, ingredients and makeup, I recommend reaching out to support.  

1-800-652-2666

[Stephen · Accepted solution]

Welcome to the Canon Community!

While it is true that both the GI-26 (designed for MAXIFY GX printers) and the PFI-050 (designed for the imagePROGRAF TC-21) are pigment-based, they are not interchangeable formulations. Here is why we recommend staying with the PFI-050:

1. Printhead Optimization The imagePROGRAF series uses a specific printhead technology that requires very precise ink viscosity and surface tension. The PFI-050 ink is "tuned" to the firing frequency of the TC-21 nozzles. Using a different formulation—even another Canon pigment ink—can lead to inconsistent ink flow or microscopic buildup over time.

2. Image Permanence & Color Accuracy The TC-21 is built for technical drawings and graphic posters. The PFI-050 inks are formulated to provide specific color profiles and rapid drying times on Canon technical bond and poster papers. Using GI-26 inks may lead to shifts in color accuracy or different smudge-resistance properties.

3. Long-Term Reliability To ensure the longest life for your TC-21 and its user-replaceable printhead, using the ink specifically designed for the system is the best path forward. This prevents unexpected maintenance issues and keeps your prints looking their best.

Need more help? Our support team is happy to help at canon.us/account or 800-OK-CANON (800-652-2666).

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Official Canon Sources

• PFI-050 Ink Specifications: https://www.usa.canon.com/shop/p/pfi-050-m-pigment-magenta-ink-tank

• imagePROGRAF TC-21 Product Page: https://www.usa.canon.com/shop/p/imageprograf-tc-21

• Canon Ink Compatibility Guide: https://support.usa.canon.com/kb/s/article/ART180888

[nyprinterguy]

Thank you for this most valuable information!

[nyprinterguy]

Hypothetically would Lucia TD ink from the TM and TZ series be a closer match to the TC 21 then ink from Canon's GI series?

Thaank you !