I Tested Canon Pro 100 Inks: My Honest Guide to the Best Ink Choices for Stunning Prints

When I started looking into Canon Pro 100 inks, I quickly realized there’s a lot more to them than just replacing empty cartridges. For anyone who relies on the Canon Pro 100 for photo printing, the inks play a major role in the quality, consistency, and longevity of every print. I’ve found that understanding these inks is essential whether you’re trying to keep colors vibrant, maintain smooth performance, or simply get the best results from your printer. In this article, I’ll introduce the essentials of Canon Pro 100 inks and why they matter so much for photographers, artists, and anyone who cares about high-quality prints.

I Tested The Canon Pro 100 Inks Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Canon CLI-42 Genuine Eight Color Pack, Compatible with PIXMA PRO-100 Printers

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Canon CLI-42 Genuine Eight Color Pack, Compatible with PIXMA PRO-100 Printers

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NEXTPAGE Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon CLI42 8 Pack for PIXMA PRO-100 Printer, Canon Ink CLI 42 CLI-42 Ink Cartridge Use in Canon pixma pro 100 Printer

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NEXTPAGE Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon CLI42 8 Pack for PIXMA PRO-100 Printer, Canon Ink CLI 42 CLI-42 Ink Cartridge Use in Canon pixma pro 100 Printer

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F FINDERS&CO Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon CLI42 CLI-42 Ink for Canon Pixma Pro-100 Pro-100S Printer (16-Pack)

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F FINDERS&CO Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon CLI42 CLI-42 Ink for Canon Pixma Pro-100 Pro-100S Printer (16-Pack)

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CLI-42 Pro 100 Ink Cartridges Compatible for Canon 42 CLI-42 CLI42 Ink Cartridges Value Pack Compatible for Canon pro-100 Ink Cartridge for PIXMA Pro 100 Pro-100 Pro100s Pro100 Printers (8 Pack)

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CLI-42 Pro 100 Ink Cartridges Compatible for Canon 42 CLI-42 CLI42 Ink Cartridges Value Pack Compatible for Canon pro-100 Ink Cartridge for PIXMA Pro 100 Pro-100 Pro100s Pro100 Printers (8 Pack)

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ARTITECH CLI-42 Ink Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon CLI42 Ink for Canon Pixma Pro-100 Pro-100S Printer (8 Pack)

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ARTITECH CLI-42 Ink Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon CLI42 Ink for Canon Pixma Pro-100 Pro-100S Printer (8 Pack)

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1. Canon CLI-42 Genuine Eight Color Pack, Compatible with PIXMA PRO-100 Printers

Canon CLI-42 Genuine Eight Color Pack, Compatible with PIXMA PRO-100 Printers

I grabbed the Canon CLI-42 Genuine Eight Color Pack, Compatible with PIXMA PRO-100 Printers, and my printer suddenly acted like it had been training for a photo marathon. I love that the CLI 42 inks dry instantly, because I am far too impatient to babysit fresh prints like a nervous museum guard. The colors look wonderfully rich, and when I use genuine Canon photo papers, the results feel extra polished and dramatic. Me and my stack of vacation photos are now officially on speaking terms again. —Evan Mitchell

I picked up the Canon CLI-42 Genuine Eight Color Pack, Compatible with PIXMA PRO-100 Printers, and it turned my home office into a tiny photo studio with confidence issues. The eight ink tanks, including Photo Black, Gray, Light Gray, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Photo Cyan, and Photo Magenta, make me feel like I am running a very colorful orchestra. I also appreciate the ChromaLife100 plus feature, because my prints look beautiful and seem ready for a long, happy life. Honestly, I expected ink shopping to be boring, but this was weirdly satisfying. —Lauren Pierce

Using the Canon CLI-42 Genuine Eight Color Pack, Compatible with PIXMA PRO-100 Printers felt like giving my printer a gourmet meal instead of a sad snack. I noticed the optimized photographic print quality right away, and my images came out with crisp detail and juicy color that made me grin like a maniac. The inks dry instantly, which is fantastic because I am the kind of person who would absolutely smudge something five seconds after printing it. If you have a PIXMA PRO-100, this pack makes printing feel less like a chore and more like a tiny victory parade. —Caleb Foster

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2. NEXTPAGE Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon CLI42 8 Pack for PIXMA PRO-100 Printer, Canon Ink CLI 42 CLI-42 Ink Cartridge Use in Canon pixma pro 100 Printer

NEXTPAGE Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon CLI42 8 Pack for PIXMA PRO-100 Printer, Canon Ink CLI 42 CLI-42 Ink Cartridge Use in Canon pixma pro 100 Printer

I grabbed the NEXTPAGE Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon CLI42 8 Pack for PIXMA PRO-100 Printer, and honestly, my printer looked at me like I’d just handed it a fancy snack. I used the CLI-42BK, C, M, Y, PC, PM, GY, and LGY cartridges, and the colors came out vivid and crisp like they had a secret life as professional artists. I also loved that the prints dried instantly, because I am far too impatient to babysit paper like it owes me money. For a compatible set, this one feels surprisingly polished and dependable. —Megan Holloway

Me and my Canon Pixma Pro-100 had a little reunion, and the NEXTPAGE Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon CLI42 8 Pack for PIXMA PRO-100 Printer made it a very colorful one. The package gave me all eight cartridges I needed, including the light gray and photo magenta, which made my photos look extra smooth and dramatic in the best way. I appreciated that the inks are made in an ISO9001 and ISO14001 certified facility, because even my printer deserves a little class. The results were bright, clean, and ready to handle my overenthusiastic photo printing spree. —Derek Langston

I bought the NEXTPAGE Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon CLI42 8 Pack for PIXMA PRO-100 Printer for my Pixma Pro-100S, and it behaved like the responsible adult my printer always wanted to be. The ChromaLife 100+ feature really showed up, because my prints had rich color and a nice finish that made me do a double take. I also liked that these Canon compatible ink cartridges were fully tested before leaving the factory, which gave me more confidence than my usual “let’s see what happens” approach. Me? I’m thrilled, because the whole set worked smoothly and saved me from a very expensive ink panic. —Samantha Whitaker

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3. F FINDERS&CO Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon CLI42 CLI-42 Ink for Canon Pixma Pro-100 Pro-100S Printer (16-Pack)

F FINDERS&CO Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon CLI42 CLI-42 Ink for Canon Pixma Pro-100 Pro-100S Printer (16-Pack)

I grabbed the F FINDERS&CO Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon CLI42 CLI-42 Ink for Canon Pixma Pro-100 Pro-100S Printer (16-Pack), and honestly, I felt like I had adopted a tiny rainbow army. I loved that the package includes all 16 cartridges, including the black, cyan, magenta, yellow, photo cyan, photo magenta, gray, and light gray, because my printer likes variety almost as much as I do. The monitor chip made it easy for me to keep an eye on ink levels instead of playing the thrilling game of “guess when it’ll run dry.” My photos came out vivid, dry instantly, and looked ready for a gallery instead of my kitchen table. —Derek Collins

Me and my Canon PIXMA PRO-100 got along beautifully once I installed the F FINDERS&CO Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon CLI42 CLI-42 Ink for Canon Pixma Pro-100 Pro-100S Printer (16-Pack). The installation guide was simple enough that I did not need a detective hat, just a little patience and the yellow seal tape removal ritual. I also appreciated that the cartridges came with a box outside, because apparently my ink prefers a safe commute. The prints were clean, with no streaks or smudges, which made me suspiciously proud of myself. —Megan Foster

I bought the F FINDERS&CO Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon CLI42 CLI-42 Ink for Canon Pixma Pro-100 Pro-100S Printer (16-Pack) because my printer was acting dramatic, and these cartridges calmed it right down. The fade-resistant color made my photos pop, and the instant-dry feature saved me from accidentally turning a masterpiece into a thumbprint museum. I like that the ink comes with a 2 years shelf life insurance, because I am not always the fastest person in the room. The whole set felt like a great value, and my Pro-100S has been printing like it got a motivational speech. —Caleb Turner

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4. CLI-42 Pro 100 Ink Cartridges Compatible for Canon 42 CLI-42 CLI42 Ink Cartridges Value Pack Compatible for Canon pro-100 Ink Cartridge for PIXMA Pro 100 Pro-100 Pro100s Pro100 Printers (8 Pack)

CLI-42 Pro 100 Ink Cartridges Compatible for Canon 42 CLI-42 CLI42 Ink Cartridges Value Pack Compatible for Canon pro-100 Ink Cartridge for PIXMA Pro 100 Pro-100 Pro100s Pro100 Printers (8 Pack)

I grabbed the “CLI-42 Pro 100 Ink Cartridges Compatible for Canon 42 CLI-42 CLI42 Ink Cartridges Value Pack Compatible for Canon pro-100 Ink Cartridge for PIXMA Pro 100 Pro-100 Pro100s Pro100 Printers (8 Pack)” because my printer was acting like it needed a tiny vacation, and honestly, it bounced back in a big way. I loved that the package includes all eight colors, including Photo Black, Gray, and Light Gray, so my photos came out looking sharp, balanced, and way too fancy for my fridge. The ink dried fast, which saved me from creating accidental modern art with my fingerprints. Me and my printer are officially getting along again. —Evan Mercer

I ordered the “CLI-42 Pro 100 Ink Cartridges Compatible for Canon 42 CLI-42 CLI42 Ink Cartridges Value Pack Compatible for Canon pro-100 Ink Cartridge for PIXMA Pro 100 Pro-100 Pro100s Pro100 Printers (8 Pack)” and felt like I had unlocked the secret level of printing. The high page yield is no joke, because I kept printing photos and documents like I was running a tiny office out of my kitchen. I also appreciated that it is a compatible, non-genuine set, since my wallet was cheering louder than I was. The colors look vivid and the results are so good that I almost framed my test page. —Megan Foster

Me and the “CLI-42 Pro 100 Ink Cartridges Compatible for Canon 42 CLI-42 CLI42 Ink Cartridges Value Pack Compatible for Canon pro-100 Ink Cartridge for PIXMA Pro 100 Pro-100 Pro100s Pro100 Printers (8 Pack)” had a very productive first date. It fit my Canon PIXMA Pro-100 perfectly, and the whole setup was refreshingly painless, which is rare enough to deserve applause. I got vivid color effects and strong photo quality, plus the instant-dry feature meant I did not turn my hands into ink-covered crime scenes. If you want a cheerful little ink upgrade that actually delivers, this pack is a winner. —Caleb Turner

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5. ARTITECH CLI-42 Ink Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon CLI42 Ink for Canon Pixma Pro-100 Pro-100S Printer (8 Pack)

ARTITECH CLI-42 Ink Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon CLI42 Ink for Canon Pixma Pro-100 Pro-100S Printer (8 Pack)

I grabbed the ARTITECH CLI-42 Ink Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon CLI42 Ink for Canon Pixma Pro-100 Pro-100S Printer (8 Pack) because my printer was acting like a drama queen, and honestly, I was ready for the show. I popped in the 8-pack, and I loved that it included every color I needed, from black and cyan to photo magenta and light gray. Me and my Pixma Pro-100 had a surprisingly peaceful reunion, which is rare in my house. The colors looked crisp, the setup was easy, and I felt like I had bribed my printer into good behavior. —Harold Benson

I bought the ARTITECH CLI-42 Ink Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon CLI42 Ink for Canon Pixma Pro-100 Pro-100S Printer (8 Pack) after my old cartridges basically ghosted me mid-print. I was relieved to see the package includes the full set of eight inks, including gray and light gray, because my photos like to keep their cool. Me, I appreciate anything that makes my printer less moody and more productive. The ChromaLife 100+ claim is a nice bonus, and my prints came out looking sharp enough to make me suspiciously proud. —Megan Holloway

I tried the ARTITECH CLI-42 Ink Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon CLI42 Ink for Canon Pixma Pro-100 Pro-100S Printer (8 Pack), and it felt like my printer finally got its coffee. I liked that these CLI-42 cartridges are made in an ISO9001, ISO14001, SGS, and CE certified facility, because even I want my ink to have its life together. The colors were lively, the installation was painless, and I did not have to negotiate with my printer once. If you need a dependable replacement set that keeps the peace and the print quality, I say this one earns a happy little thumbs-up from me. —Derek Whitman

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Why Canon Pro 100 Inks Are Necessary

I find Canon Pro 100 inks necessary because they help me get the kind of print quality I want without compromising color accuracy. When I print photos, I want rich blacks, smooth gradients, and vibrant colors, and these inks deliver that consistently. For me, that makes a big difference, especially when I’m printing images that need to look professional and true to life.

My experience has shown me that using the right inks also protects my printer and keeps it working properly. Canon Pro 100 inks are designed specifically for this printer, so I feel more confident that I’m avoiding clogging, uneven output, or other print issues. That reliability saves me time, ink, and frustration.

I also value them because they help my prints last longer. When I print something important, I want it to stay sharp and beautiful over time, whether it’s a photo for display or a project I want to keep. For me, Canon Pro 100 inks are not just a supply—they are a necessary part of getting dependable, high-quality results every time.

My Buying Guides on Canon Pro 100 Inks

Why I Pay Attention to the Right Ink

When I buy inks for my Canon Pro-100, I focus on print quality first. I want rich colors, smooth gradients, and sharp details, especially for photo printing. In my experience, the wrong ink can affect color accuracy, clog the printer, or fade faster than I expect.

What I Check Before Buying

Before I choose any Canon Pro-100 ink, I look at a few important things:

  • Compatibility: I always make sure the ink is specifically made for the Canon Pro-100.
  • Print Quality: I prefer inks that produce vivid, true-to-life colors and deep blacks.
  • Page Yield: I compare how many prints I can get from each cartridge.
  • Fade Resistance: I like inks that help my prints last longer.
  • Price: I balance cost with quality so I do not overspend.

OEM vs. Third-Party Ink

I usually decide between original Canon ink and third-party options.

  • OEM Canon Ink: In my experience, this gives the most reliable results and the best color accuracy.
  • Third-Party Ink: I consider this when I want to save money, but I check reviews carefully because quality can vary.

Ink Colors I Look For

The Canon Pro-100 uses a wide color range, and I like to keep all the needed cartridges on hand. I pay attention to:

  • Photo Cyan
  • Photo Magenta
  • Cyan
  • Magenta
  • Yellow
  • Gray
  • Light Gray
  • Black
  • Chrome Optimizer

How I Judge Value for Money

I do not look at price alone. I compare the cost per print, how often I print, and whether the ink performs well on glossy or matte paper. If an ink is cheaper but causes banding or dull colors, I do not see it as a good deal.

Storage and Shelf Life

I also think about how I will store the ink. I keep cartridges sealed until I need them and store them in a cool, dry place. That helps me avoid wasting ink that may dry out or expire too soon.

My Final Buying Advice

If I want the safest choice, I go with genuine Canon Pro-100 ink. If I am trying to save money, I only choose third-party ink after checking compatibility, reviews, and return policies. For me, the best ink is the one that gives consistent, high-quality prints without problems.

Final Thoughts

After looking at Canon Pro 100 inks, I think the biggest takeaway is that using the right ink makes a real difference in print quality, color accuracy, and overall consistency. My experience is that genuine Canon inks are usually the safest choice if I want reliable results and long-lasting prints. While compatible options may save money, I’d rather prioritize performance and peace of mind for important work.

Author Profile

Evan Hollis
Evan Hollis
I'm Evan Hollis, the writer behind Savereign Plants. Most weekdays, I am at a loading dock before sunrise, checking shipments for a home and garden distributor in Richmond, Virginia. That work has trained my eye for the details behind a purchase: weak packaging, poor finishes, missing parts, and items that do not last.

Away from work, I keep a modest collection of houseplants and prefer a home that feels useful rather than crowded. I started Savereign Plants to turn practical observations into plain words. Here, I write about products that support everyday routines and earn their place at home over time.