SKU:

CS-CN-231-BK

Condition:

New Compatible

OEM Part #:

CLI-231BK

Color:

Black

Ink Type:

Dye

Page Yield:

Up to 600 pages

Chip:

New compatible chip

Warranty:

Lifetime Warranty

Returns:

1-Year Free Returns

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the dye black actually do in a photograph?

The CLI-231BK is the photo black. Its dye ink sinks into photo paper to build the deep, glossy blacks and smooth shadow detail that make a print look finished. Night scenes, dark clothing and shaded backgrounds all lean on this tank far more than on any other.

Why shouldn't I just rely on the pigment black for photos too?

Because the two blacks are specialists. The PGI-230 pigment tank prints your documents, with sharp, water-resistant text. This dye black handles image darkness. Forcing one to do the other's job gives either dull photos or softer text, so the printer keeps both and chooses per page.

Which printer uses the CLI-231BK?

Only the Canon PIXMA TS8820. It is the single printer built around this six-tank family, so every tank in the family — this one included — is made for it. You will find the model confirmed under Compatible Printers on this page.

How far does one of these tanks go?

It is rated at up to 600 pages under the supplier's rating, based on standard test pages at around 5% coverage. Photo printing changes the math quickly: a run of full-page glossy prints uses this black heavily, so photo-first households will see a lower page count than document-first ones.

How will I know this is the tank that needs replacing?

Watch the shadows. When photo blacks start printing washed out or grayish while your text pages still look strong, this dye tank — not the pigment one — is the likely culprit. The printer's ink monitor also tracks it separately, thanks to the chip described below.

Does it carry a chip, and will levels show correctly?

Yes, a new compatible chip reports its ink level to the printer, so you get normal low-ink warnings for this slot on its own. The cartridge is newly built to the CLI-231BK specification, not a refilled original shell with a reset chip.

Can I replace only this black and leave everything else in place?

Absolutely. Each of the six slots is read independently and replaced on its own schedule, and this tank prints happily beside genuine Canon cartridges or other compatibles. Its color partners are CLI-231C, CLI-231M, CLI-231Y and the CLI-231GY gray tank.

The printer flagged a message after installation — how do I clear it?

Confirm the on-screen message, reseat the cartridge until it clicks into place, and restart the printer. Still flagged? Remove it, wipe the gold chip contacts with a dry, lint-free cloth, and reinstall. That sequence resolves most recognition messages on first install.

Is the CLI-231BK an original Canon product?

No — it is a Clever Supplies compatible cartridge built to the same specification and rated yield as the original, sold at a lower price. Canon did not manufacture it; the brand name is used only to show which printer the cartridge fits.

What happens if it leaks or the printer refuses it?

Stop printing and contact us. The Clever Supplies Lifetime Warranty covers recognition failures, leaks and print-quality defects on this cartridge: we replace it or refund you. Returns are free for the first year, so a faulty tank costs you a message, not a second purchase.