Canon PIXMA G1220: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the Canon PIXMA G1220 right for you?

The G1220 is the cheapest way into Canon's MegaTank system: a USB-only, print-only machine whose bundled ink bottles last years for a typical household. It suits people who print a lot of text from one computer and hate cartridge prices. Unlike earlier G-series units, it has a user-replaceable MC-G02 maintenance cartridge, so a full waste-ink pad is a five-minute fix rather than a service visit.

Best for: High-volume USB printing from a single PC at minimal ink cost

Setting up the Canon PIXMA G1220

Fill all four tanks from the keyed bottles before powering on, then install the two printheads and let the printer run its 6-minute initial ink charge. Install the driver from ij.start.canon before plugging in USB. Print a nozzle check after charging; if any colour is missing, run one cleaning cycle and wait an hour before trying again.

1. Unbox and prepare. Remove every piece of shipping tape and packing material, install the ink bottles (fill each tank to the upper line), and load paper in the tray.
2. Join your Wi-Fi. Keep the printer close to the router for setup. Most printers only connect to the 2.4GHz band, so if your router broadcasts one merged network name you may need to split the bands temporarily. See our Wi-Fi guide if it will not join.
3. Install the setup app. Use Canon's official app rather than a driver you found on a search result — third-party driver sites are the most common source of printer malware.
4. Add the printer. On Windows 11: Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners › Add device. On macOS: System Settings › Printers & Scanners › Add Printer.
5. Print a test page and run a scan if this is an all-in-one, so you find any problem now rather than when you are in a hurry.

Ink, toner and supplies

The Canon PIXMA G1220 uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• GI-21 Black
• GI-21 Cyan / Magenta / Yellow
• MC-G02 maintenance cartridge

High-yield (XL) versions almost always cost less per page if you print regularly. On third-party ink and toner, read our honest assessment first, and note that some manufacturers push firmware that rejects non-original chips.

Full specifications