Which printers use Canon GI-21 ink? This guide lists nine compatible Canon PIXMA MegaTank models and explains Starink bottle volumes, Black and color ink types, 4-Pack contents, and how to refill to the correct tank level.
170ml Black + 70ml Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow. Complete 4-color refill set with Leak Protection.
Starink Canon GI-21 ink is compatible with Canon PIXMA G1220, G1230, G2260, G2270, G3260, G3270, G3290, G4270, and G4280.
The Starink GI-21 4-Pack includes one 170ml Black bottle and one 70ml bottle each of Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow. These bottles refill the printer’s ink tanks directly. Stop at the maximum fill line rather than emptying the entire bottle into the tank.
Check the complete model name on your printer before ordering. Not every Canon MegaTank printer uses GI-21; choose the ink family specified for your exact model.
Starink Canon GI-21 Bottle Volumes
The Starink GI-21 Black bottle contains 170ml. Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow each contain 70ml.
Starink GI-21 Bottle
Bottle Volume
Black
170ml
Cyan
70ml
Magenta
70ml
Yellow
70ml
These volumes describe the Starink bottles. They do not specify Original Canon bottle volumes or the capacity of every compatible printer tank.
Is Canon GI-21 Pigment or Dye Ink?
Starink GI-21 uses pigment-based Black ink and dye-based Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow ink. The ink type depends on the color; the complete set is not all pigment ink or all dye ink.
Black: Pigment-Based Ink
The 170ml Black bottle supplies ink primarily used for document text, including forms, reports, and school materials.
Cyan, Magenta & Yellow: Dye-Based Ink
Each 70ml color bottle supplies ink for color documents, graphics, and photos.
Refill each tank with its matching color. Print results also depend on the paper, printer settings, and printer condition.
What Is in the Starink GI-21 4-Pack?
The Starink Canon GI-21 4-Pack contains one bottle of each color: Black, Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow.
1 × Canon GI-21 Black Compatible Ink Bottle
170ml. Pigment-based Black ink.
You can refill individual colors as needed. You do not need to refill all four tanks at the same time.
Canon GI-21 vs. GI-20 vs. GI-16
GI-21, GI-20, and GI-16 are different Canon ink bottle families and should not be treated as interchangeable. Match the ink family to your exact printer model before refilling.
Ink Family
What to Check
Use Starink GI-21?
GI-21
Confirm your exact printer is in the compatible model list.
Yes, for the nine listed models.
GI-20
Choose ink specified for the GI-20 system.
No. Do not substitute GI-21.
GI-16
Choose ink specified for the GI-16 system.
No. Do not substitute GI-21.
Matching colors or similar bottle names do not establish compatibility between different ink families.
Does Canon GI-21 Use a Cartridge Chip?
No. GI-21 is a direct-fill ink bottle system, not a cartridge system. You refill the matching MegaTank tank instead of installing a replacement cartridge.
Cartridge-chip transfer is not required. Starink GI-21 bottles use the product tag Leak Protection.
Leak Protection for Shipping and Storage
Starink GI-21 bottles include leak-protection packaging for shipping and storage. Keep bottles securely closed when they are not in use.
This packaging does not prevent overfilling a printer tank. Monitor the ink level during every refill.
How to Refill a Canon MegaTank with GI-21 Ink
Use the matching GI-21 color bottle and follow the refill instructions for your exact printer model.
Confirm that your printer uses GI-21 ink and appears in the compatible printer list.
Open the ink tank cover as directed in your printer’s manual.
Open the cap for the tank that needs ink.
Prepare the matching Black, Cyan, Magenta, or Yellow bottle according to the bottle and printer instructions.
Refill slowly and monitor the ink level.
Stop when the ink reaches the maximum fill line, even if ink remains in the bottle.
Remove the bottle, securely close the tank cap, and reseal any unused ink.
Close the printer cover and follow any refill prompts shown by the printer.
Need help choosing the correct refill ink? Contact Starink with your exact printer model.
Does Bottle Volume Equal Printer Tank Capacity?
No. Bottle volume describes the ink supplied in the bottle, not how much every compatible printer tank can hold.
The Starink GI-21 Black bottle contains 170ml. Refill only until the Black tank reaches its maximum fill line. If ink remains in the bottle, securely reseal it for a later refill.
How to Avoid Overfilling the Ink Tank
Watch the Maximum Fill Line
Stop at the printer’s marked maximum level, regardless of how much ink remains in the bottle.
Check the Existing Ink Level
A partially filled tank needs less ink than an empty tank. Monitor its level as you refill.
Match the Bottle and Tank Color
Check both labels before refilling. Each bottle belongs in its corresponding color tank.
Reseal Unused Ink
Close the tank cap and securely reseal the bottle when the refill is complete.
Do not force extra ink into a tank that has reached its maximum level. If the fill line or refill procedure is unclear, pause and check your printer’s manual.
Starink Canon GI-21 vs. Original Canon and Other Replacement Ink
Compare the exact printer list, ink types, bottle volumes, and pack contents on each listing. A replacement bottle should explicitly identify the correct GI-21 ink family and your printer model.
What Matters
Starink Canon GI-21 Direct Tank Refill
Original Canon GI-21
Other Replacement Options
Product Type
Compatible ink refill bottles
Original Canon ink refill bottles
Check the listed ink family
Black Ink Type
Pigment-based
Pigment-based
Check the listing
Color Ink Type
Dye-based Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow
Dye-based Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow
Check the listing
Pack Contents
4-Pack: one Black, one Cyan, one Magenta, and one Yellow
Check the selected Canon pack or individual bottle listing
Check the number of bottles and included colors
Bottle Volume Shown Here
170ml Black; 70ml each of Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow
Bottle volumes describe the listed products, not printer tank capacity. This comparison does not claim identical print output or a fixed price advantage.
One 170ml pigment-based Black bottle and one 70ml dye-based bottle each of Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow. Compatible with the nine listed Canon PIXMA MegaTank models. Refill only to the maximum fill line.
Starink Canon GI-21 ink is compatible with Canon PIXMA G1220, G1230, G2260, G2270, G3260, G3270, G3290, G4270, and G4280. Check the complete model name on your printer before ordering.
What is included in the Starink GI-21 4-Pack?
The pack contains one Black, one Cyan, one Magenta, and one Yellow compatible refill bottle. Black contains 170ml, and each color bottle contains 70ml.
How much ink is in the Starink GI-21 Black bottle?
The Starink GI-21 Black bottle contains 170ml. This is the bottle volume, not the capacity of every compatible printer’s Black tank.
How much ink is in each Starink GI-21 color bottle?
Each Starink GI-21 Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow bottle contains 70ml. The pack includes one bottle of each color.
Does the entire 170ml Black bottle need to be emptied into the printer?
No. Stop when the Black tank reaches its maximum fill line, even if ink remains in the bottle. Securely reseal unused ink for a later refill.
Is bottle volume the same as printer tank capacity?
No. Bottle volume describes the ink supplied in the bottle; tank capacity describes how much the printer tank can hold. Refill only to the maximum fill line.
Is Starink Canon GI-21 a cartridge or an ink refill bottle?
Starink Canon GI-21 is a compatible ink refill bottle product. You refill the matching MegaTank tank rather than install an ink cartridge.
Does Canon GI-21 use a cartridge chip?
No. GI-21 is a direct-fill ink bottle system, so cartridge chips and chip transfer do not apply. Starink GI-21 bottles use the product tag Leak Protection.
Is Starink GI-21 pigment or dye ink?
Starink GI-21 Black uses pigment-based ink. Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow use dye-based ink, so the complete set is not all pigment ink or all dye ink.
Is Starink GI-21 Black pigment-based?
Yes. Starink GI-21 Black uses pigment-based ink, primarily for document text. The Black bottle contains 170ml.
Are Starink GI-21 Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow dye-based?
Yes. Starink GI-21 Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow use dye-based ink for color printing. Each color bottle contains 70ml.
Is Canon GI-21 the same as GI-20?
No. GI-21 and GI-20 are different ink bottle families and should not be treated as interchangeable. Use the ink family specified for your exact printer.
Is Canon GI-21 the same as GI-16?
No. GI-21 and GI-16 are different ink bottle families and should not be treated as interchangeable. Check your printer’s specified ink family before refilling.
Can individual GI-21 colors be refilled separately?
Yes. Refill the matching Black, Cyan, Magenta, or Yellow tank when it needs ink. You do not need to refill all four tanks at the same time.
Does Starink GI-21 fit Canon PIXMA G3270, G3290, and G4280?
Yes. Canon PIXMA G3270, G3290, and G4280 are included in the Starink GI-21 compatible printer list. The 4-Pack supplies Black, Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow refill bottles for these models.
Can I use GI-21 in every Canon MegaTank printer?
No. Different Canon MegaTank printers can use different ink families. Choose Starink GI-21 only for the nine compatible models listed in this guide.
Does Leak Protection prevent overfilling?
No. Leak Protection describes the bottle packaging for shipping and storage. Monitor the ink level during refilling and stop at the maximum fill line.
Is Starink GI-21 Original Canon ink?
No. Starink GI-21 is compatible replacement refill ink from Starink. Canon printer and ink names identify compatibility.
