Canon CC-581 compatible ink cartridge: installation and compatibility guide

The compatible Canon CC-581 ink cartridge is the economical alternative to Canon's original 580/581 series consumable.

What it is and which printers it works with

The CC-581 fits the PIXMA machines that use Canon's individual ink system. It is exactly compatible with these models:

• Canon PIXMA TR7550, TR8550
• Canon PIXMA TS6150, TS6151, TS6250, TS6251, TS705
• Canon PIXMA TS8150, TS8151, TS8152, TS8250, TS8251, TS8252, TS8350, TS8351, TS8352
• Canon PIXMA TS9150, TS9155

Before you buy, check the reference printed on the cartridge you remove from your printer: it should match this series. If you need to complete your ink set, take a look too at the compatible Canon CC-571 XL and Canon CC-551 cartridges.

How to install it and what to do if "the cartridge is not recognised"

Installation is straightforward. Switch on the printer, open the top cover and wait for the print-head carriage to move to the centre. Remove the empty cartridge by pressing the tab, take the new CC-581 out of its packaging, peel off the orange protective tape and click it into position until you hear it lock. Close the cover.

If a message appears saying the cartridge is not recognised or that the ink level cannot be detected, it does not mean the cartridge is faulty: this is the usual behaviour of Canon's chip system with non-original consumables. Try these steps:

• Remove the cartridge and reinsert it, making sure the gold chip is clean and properly seated.
• When the printer warns about a non-original cartridge, press and hold the Stop button for around 5-10 seconds to authorise its use and dismiss the warning.
• Ink-level detection may be disabled; the cartridge will keep printing normally until it runs out.

For more context on these software blocks, you may find our article on how firmware blocks cartridges useful.

Performance and savings versus the original

The aim of the compatible CC-581 is to deliver colour density and sharpness equivalent to the original in everyday use. As a compatible consumable, the cost per page drops noticeably compared with branded ink, which is especially noticeable if you print photographs or documents frequently. If you want to work out your real printing spend, we have published a guide on the real cost of printing and a direct comparison between original and compatible printed side by side.

To verify that the nozzles are injecting each colour correctly after the change, you can use our downloadable CMYK test page.

Why buy it from Star Toner

Our compatible Canon CC-581 cartridge is available from €2.49 and is made under ISO 9001 quality control. Every purchase includes a legal warranty: compatible cartridges are fully protected under Spanish law, as we explain in our guide on the legal warranty of compatible cartridges. If your printer is a PIXMA from the listed series, this is a simple, honest way to cut your printing costs without changing your machine.

Buy the compatible Canon CC-581 cartridge at Star Toner

Frequently asked questions