SKU:

CS-CN-3-PBK

Condition:

New (compatible)

OEM Part #:

BCI-3e

Color:

Photo Black

Ink Type:

Dye

Page Yield:

340 pages

Chip:

No chip — optical ink sensor

Warranty:

Lifetime Warranty

Returns:

1 Year

Frequently Asked Questions

How is photo black different from the regular black tank?

They do different jobs. The regular BCI-3e Black is pigment ink made for crisp document text. This BCI-3e photo black is dye ink, formulated to blend into color images so shadows, night scenes and dark clothing hold detail instead of blocking up into flat black patches on photo paper.

Which printers have a photo black slot for this tank?

Photo models include the Canon BJC-3000, Canon BJC-6000, Canon i550, Canon i850, Canon S500, Canon S600, Canon S750 and Canon MultiPASS MP700, and the full list is under Compatible Printers on this page. Only install photo black if your printer has the labeled photo black position.

Can I put photo black in the regular black slot to save a trip?

No. The slots are keyed to different ink roles, and the printer expects pigment black for text work. Photo black belongs only in its own slot, alongside the standard colors. Using the right tank in the right slot protects both document sharpness and photo shadow quality.

What page yield does photo black carry?

About 340 pages under ISO/IEC 24711 conditions at around 5% coverage. Photo printing uses far more ink per page than the test standard, especially dark images, so a run of full-page night or portrait photos will empty this tank much sooner than mixed document pages would.

Why do my photo shadows look muddy even with a fresh regular black?

Because document black is not blended for photographs. On photo settings the printer leans on the dye photo black plus BCI-3e Photo Cyan and BCI-3e Photo Magenta to build gradual dark tones. If photo black is empty, shadows go muddy no matter how full the pigment tank is. Check that slot first.

How do I monitor this tank with no chip involved?

The printer reads the tank optically, so no chip warning will appear. Judge by the ink visible in the tank window and by your output: grayish, washed-out shadows on photos are the practical low-ink signal. There is nothing to reset after a swap — the sensor reads the new tank directly.

What is the replacement routine?

Open the cover, let the carriage center, lift the empty photo black tank out and seat the new BCI-3e tank in the photo black position until it locks. Close the cover and print a photo test page with strong shadow areas to confirm the deep tones are back before a full print run.

Is this a Canon original tank?

No, this is a Clever Supplies compatible tank built to the same BCI-3e specification, filled with dye ink. These photo printers left production years ago, and original photo black stock is scarce; this tank keeps the photo slot working so the printer can still do the job it was bought for.

How should an unopened photo black spare be kept?

Sealed, upright, at room temperature and away from sunlight. Photo tanks are used in bursts — a project, then weeks of documents — so a stored spare is the difference between finishing an album session and stopping halfway.

What warranty backs this tank?

The Clever Supplies Lifetime Warranty covers this inkjet tank: leaking or poor printing is handled with a replacement or refund, and returns are open for 1 Year. Run a cleaning cycle first, so a simple clog is not mistaken for a failed tank.