Canon CLI-42 Gray Ink Review: Premium Quality Verdict
A verified buyer on Best Buy once summed it up simply: “Only the best! Using the genuine inks gives consistent, perfect results every time. Worth the extra cash.” The Canon CLI-42 Gray Ink Tank for PIXMA PRO-100 carries an impressive 4.9/5 average rating across multiple platforms, with professional photographers and print enthusiasts consistently citing its superior color accuracy and print longevity. Our investigation puts its score at 9/10 — bolstered by vivid print quality and reliability, but slightly dented by price concerns and supply issues.
Quick Verdict: Conditional buy — exceptional photo output if you own a PIXMA PRO-100 and can justify the higher cost.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Outstanding photo print quality | High cartridge price |
| Long-lasting, fade-resistant prints | Limited to PIXMA PRO-100 compatibility |
| Easy installation & reliable OEM fit | Occasional supply shortages/backorders |
| Accurate greyscale & monochrome tones | No refill option; must buy new |
| Consistent performance over time | Smaller yield than multi-pack versions |
Claims vs Reality
Canon promotes its Chromalife 100+ dye-based ink as “producing professional quality photo prints and superior longevity.” Reddit discussions back up the claim, with multiple users pointing out the “balanced palette that ensures smooth gradations, accurate skin tones, and crisp details.” On Best Buy, user russ reising noted: “I love these inks; they provide professional quality results.” For fine art and exhibition printing, this ink tank delivers on its marketing, especially for monochrome work requiring subtle gradations of gray.
Another key claim is instant-dry output — “photos are ready to be enjoyed as soon as they come out of the printer.” Several Trustpilot reviews confirm this: kspradleyphoto shared, “It may seem pricy to get all these ink cartridges, but in the long run they last a long time,” adding that prints are ready to handle right from the printer without smudging. No significant feedback contradicts Canon’s promise here.
The marketed compatibility, however, is narrowly defined. While the manufacturer clearly states suitability for the PIXMA PRO-100, some Staples customers who received incorrect colors reported complete incompatibility and rejected cartridges. This highlights that the promise of “guaranteed compatibility” hinges on purchasing the exact OEM part from trusted suppliers — aftermarket versions often fail to meet the spec.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Best Buy, Staples, and Reddit, the ink’s photo realism earns unanimous praise. Verified buyer sing 1 advised: “Don’t cheat your work, buy the original.” Professional photographers value the neutral gray balance for black-and-white printing — vital for shadow detail and avoiding color casting. On Staples, one customer emphasized, “This is the only ink I use for my Canon PIXMA PRO-100 photo printer. Whatever you do don’t use an off-brand — it messes up all Canon printers.”
Ease of installation also comes up frequently. User vladzred on Best Buy wrote, “Easy to buy, easy to load. These ink cartridges are easy to order, arrive quickly, and are easy to load into the printer.” Canon’s precise manufacturing tolerances mean no fiddling with fit, a common complaint for imitation inks.
Longevity is another consensus point. While the single gray tank can’t match the page yield of bulk packs, those printing high-value projects — gallery prints, client portfolios — report durability for months without fading. This is directly in line with Canon’s Chromalife 100+ promise.
Common Complaints
Cost is the recurring sore point. River guy on Best Buy called it “Pricey but good,” reflecting the sentiment of many who see the steep per-cartridge cost as the only downside. On Staples, one customer remarked, “The cartridges could have been bigger containing more ink so that it will last longer printing more pages.” A pattern emerges here: excellent quality, but yield complaints for single units compared to multipack deals.
Supply chain issues also frustrate buyers. Staples reviewers mention backorders and difficulty sourcing full eight-color sets from Canon, forcing piecemeal purchases and wasting time. This affects photographers on tight deadlines where every color must be on hand.
When purchased from unreliable third-party sellers, cases of leakage and defective delivery occur. One Staples user lamented, “I removed the protective cap and ink dribbled out onto my carpet.” While rare with OEM sources, it’s a reminder that authenticity impacts performance.
Divisive Features
Yield perceptions vary depending on user workflow. High-volume studio printers may find cartridges deplete quickly, while occasional hobbyists report months of use without replacement. This division stems from print size and frequency: printing a handful of 10x15cm shots a week vs. dozens of 13x19 exhibitions causes vastly different lifespans.
Another split occurs around off-brand temptation. Buyers enticed by eBay’s $18 multi-pack deals sometimes switch back to OEM after experiencing clogging or misrecognition errors. As slushiercashew put it: “I have tried generic inks in the past, and was only disappointed (plus, they are a tremendous pain to get working).”
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot and Staples reviews reveal strong brand trust in Canon’s OEM ink among professionals. “Only Canon ink will work!…third party inks may be cheaper but have lower quality or compatibility,” one Staples customer warned. This sentiment is built on years of consistent output without damaging print heads.
Long-term reliability stories abound. Baker 5245 at Best Buy said, “Works great for my photo printer when I use it for my fair photos,” implying consistent seasonal performance. Many note that OEM cartridges avoid common aftermarket pitfalls like misreading chips or failing mid-print.
Supply reliability, however, is less stable. Multiple reports from Staples describe difficulty finding full color sets, leading to piecemeal and delayed replacements. Still, when sourced directly from Canon or major retailers, buyers report minimal risk of faults.
Alternatives
Where budget is a concern, eBay generic multi-packs appear at a fraction of the cost. However, The Review Index’s breakdown of compatible third-party cartridges showed repeated failures: “The printer did not accept these cartridges…several poured out ink all over my hands.” The risk factor is high enough that many switch back to OEM after a single bad experience.
Refill options exist — such as eBay’s 8x250ml refill ink bottles — but they require technical skill and risk cross-contamination. For photographers prioritizing archival results and color fidelity, OEM remains the trusted option.
Price & Value
Current retail for a single OEM gray CLI-42 tank hovers around $16.49–$20.19, while multipacks (full eight-color sets) approach $114.93. Resale value is negligible; these are consumable items, and aftermarket sales center on unused stock. Buyers on Reddit suggest timing purchases with retailer promotions or loyalty points — mike on Best Buy shared how he offsets cost with Best Buy points to get ink “for free.”
Value perception is tied directly to output quality. As tyler on Best Buy put it: “You get what you pay for” — for exhibition-grade prints, the price is justified.
FAQ
Q: Does the CLI-42 Gray work with printers other than the PIXMA PRO-100?
A: No. It is only compatible with the PIXMA PRO-100 series, including the PRO-100S, as confirmed by Canon’s official specifications.
Q: How many photos can one cartridge print?
A: ISO standards indicate up to 492 10x15cm photos for the gray cartridge, though actual yield varies based on print profiles and image density.
Q: Will using third-party ink damage my Canon printer?
A: Several users report clogging and print head issues with third-party inks. OEM tanks are 100% reliable according to manufacturer claims and user feedback.
Q: Does the gray ink improve black-and-white prints?
A: Yes. Photographers praise its role in achieving neutral tones and better shadow detail without unwanted color casts.
Q: How should I store spare cartridges?
A: Keep them in a cool, dry place in sealed packaging. Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures to prevent premature drying.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a PIXMA PRO-100 owner focused on professional-grade photo printing, especially in monochrome or greyscale. Avoid if your printing is casual or budget-driven — cheaper options exist but carry quality risks. Pro tip from community: stock up during sales or use retailer rewards points to cut per-cartridge cost without sacrificing print fidelity.
