Hi,

I've got a Canon Pixma IP4500, and am generally very pleased with it. However, it seems to use the 3 colour cartridges and the "PGBK" cartridge, but the other black cartridge "BK" doesn't seem to be getting used. I print a mixture of photographs and letters, and sometimes use the "print in grayscale" option to save on coloured inks. I've used up and replaced several coloured and PGBK cartridges, but the BK one does not seem to be getting used - i.e. it's still showing as completely full. Is this normal, or is something wrong ? Also, if anyone is able to explain when the 2 different blacks are used it would satisfy my curiosity :-) Many thanks.

I don't have any printing flow charts from Canon units, however it is most likely that the larger Black cartridge is used only for text.

The color cartridges can create a "processed" black for use with color text and color images.