What Kind of Ink Works Best for Canon TR7020 to Avoid Smearing When Highlighted?

Customer Question:
I'm using a Canon TR7020 printer and I'm trying out DIY refillable cartridges, specifically the sponge mod for PG-245, CL-246, PG-243, CL-244 XL. What type of ink should I use so that the printouts don’t smear or run when I pass a highlighter over them?

Answer:

Dye Ink vs. Pigment Ink:

• Dye Ink:
  Most refillable kits use dye ink by default. Dye ink is water-soluble and tends to bleed slightly when exposed to moisture—this includes moisture from a highlighter. While some highlighters cause minimal smudging with dye ink, it's not a guarantee across all paper types or ink brands. If you're using dye ink and noticing smearing, it's a completely expected behavior.

• Pigment Ink:
  If you're looking for smudge-proof and highlight-resistant prints, pigment ink is the ideal choice. Pigment inks sit on the surface of the paper and bind better once dried, making them highly resistant to smearing. When fully dried and cured, pigment-based prints can handle most highlighters without any running or color drag.

This is one of the most common upgrades for users working with sponge-modded Canon cartridges: switching from dye-based to pigment-based inks. Just ensure that the pigment ink you're using is compatible with Canon's printhead design, as some third-party inks may be too thick and risk clogging.

If you'd like to see a demonstration of this, you can check out our detailed video guide:
DIY Refillable Canon Ink Cartridges: Sponge Mod for PG-245 CL-246 PG-243 CL-244 XL

Pro Tip for Best Results:

Even with pigment ink, ensure the print has thoroughly dried (ideally, for a few hours) before highlighting. Also, use high-quality paper—cheaper paper stock tends to absorb and blur ink more easily.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Therefore, we're unable to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]. Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, it may take a few weeks before we can arrange for your printer to drop it off. Our services are structured to repair either the whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. Look for specific videos using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be the most efficient approach. Additionally, YouTube may suggest relevant videos from other channels that can assist you.

Thanks again for reaching out and for supporting BCH Technologies!