TASKalfa 306ci
The TASKalfa 306ci opens Kyocera's 306/307/308ci color MFP family: a floor-standing departmental unit that packs copy, print, scan and fax into one machine, with the "ci" marking it as part of Kyocera's intelligent MFP platform. It prints with the TK-5197 toner family — a black cartridge, TK5197K, rated for about 15,000 pages, alongside cyan TK5197C, magenta TK5197M and yellow TK5197Y cartridges at roughly 7,000 pages each. Each slot carries its own code, so reordering is a matter of reading the panel, not guessing.
As the accessible entry into TASKalfa color, the 306ci suits a department that wants one shared machine to absorb the day's mixed work: contracts in black, presentations in color, scans to the file server in between. Because all three siblings in the family drink from the same cartridge set, a 306ci installed today does not strand the supply closet if a bigger sibling joins the floor later — the stock on the shelf simply keeps working.
Toner Cartridges for TASKalfa 306ci
| Cartridge | Color | Page Yield |
|---|---|---|
| TK-5197 (TK5197K) | Black | About 15,000 pages |
| TK-5197 (TK5197K) | Black — 2 Pack | About 15,000 pages per cartridge |
| TK-5197 (TK5197C) | Cyan | About 7,000 pages |
| TK-5197 (TK5197M) | Magenta | About 7,000 pages |
| TK-5197 (TK5197Y) | Yellow | About 7,000 pages |
| TK-5197 (TK5197C, TK5197M, TK5197Y) | 3 Color Set | About 7,000 pages per color |
| TK-5197 (TK5197K, TK5197C, TK5197M, TK5197Y) | 4 Color Set | Black 15,000; colors 7,000 |
| TK-5197 (TK5197K, TK5197C, TK5197M, TK5197Y) | 5 Color Set | Black 15,000; colors 7,000 |
Which cartridge should you buy?
Black does most of the work in a typical department, and the ratings reflect that: the black cartridge lasts about twice as long as each color. For everyday top-ups, order the single color that is actually low — the cartridges are independent, and there is no reason to retire a half-full cyan because magenta ran out. The 2 pack of black is the standing spare most offices keep, since black is the slot that empties first. When several slots run low together, or when you are stocking a new machine from zero, the 4 color set refreshes everything in one carton, and the 3 color set covers a color-only refresh without a duplicate black.
Chip, toner and everyday use
Each compatible TK-5197 cartridge is chipped for the TASKalfa platform, so the machine reports per-color levels and warns before a slot runs dry. Replace a cartridge when the panel calls for it rather than at the first low notice — there is usually useful toner left, and a gentle shake of the removed cartridge can redistribute what remains for short, urgent jobs. Fit the new unit straight and firm until it seats, and let the machine finish its calibration cycle before a long color run. Keep spare cartridges sealed and flat; color toner stored cool and dry holds its quality for a long shelf life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which toner set does the TASKalfa 306ci use?
The TK-5197 family: TK5197K black at about 15,000 pages, and TK5197C, TK5197M and TK5197Y colors at about 7,000 pages each, per ISO/IEC 19798.
Do I need to replace all four colors at once?
No. Each cartridge is independent; replace only the slot the machine reports as empty. Sets exist for convenience and for full refreshes, not because the printer demands them.
Why do some references call this the TK-5195 family?
TK-5195 is the European designation for the same cartridge family. US stock for the 306ci is sold under the TK-5197 codes listed on this page.
Are compatible cartridges safe for this MFP?
Our compatible cartridges are built to meet the machine's specifications and are backed by a 1-year warranty and 1-year returns.
More printers that use the same cartridges
The same TK-5197 set feeds the other two members of this color MFP family: TASKalfa307ci and TASKalfa308ci. Each model's page carries the identical cartridge shelf.