Canon PFI-5100 Gray Lucia PRO II Individual Ink Tank

The Canon PFI-5100 Gray LUCIA PRO II Individual Ink Tank (6959C002, UPC 013803383423) is a genuine Canon pigment ink formulated to deliver gallery-quality color accuracy, exceptionally smooth tonal gradations, and archival permanence. As part of Canon’s LUCIA PRO II 10/12-color ink ecosystem, the Gray channel plays a crucial role in stabilizing neutral tones, refining shadow detail, and enhancing black-and-white print quality while maintaining the color fidelity demanded by fine art, photo lab, proofing, and design workflows.

LUCIA PRO II represents Canon’s latest evolution in professional ink chemistry, engineered to produce deeper blacks, cleaner highlights, and a broader gamut with improved resistance to environmental effects. Expect superior color consistency from print to print, reduced bronzing on glossy media, minimized metamerism under mixed lighting, and impressive longevity for display and archival applications. In short: richer tones, smoother gradients, and the confidence that your work will look the way you intended—today and years from now.

The dedicated Gray ink channel is key to lifelike tonal transitions and neutral grayscale reproduction. It assists the print engine in achieving: ultra-smooth gradient ramps, especially in skies, skin, and low-contrast transitions; truer neutral grays in black-and-white prints without color casts; enhanced shadow detail and midtone separation for images that “hold” better in viewing and on press; more predictable color management because the printer relies less on composite mixtures to build neutral tones.

As pigment-based ink, LUCIA PRO II is designed for long-term display and preservation. Properly profiled and printed on archival media, it offers excellent fade resistance and environmental stability. Whether you’re producing exhibition prints, selling fine art editions, or delivering client work that must meet strict longevity standards, the PFI-5100 Gray helps ensure your output maintains its intended look over time.

Photographers and printmakers will appreciate the Gray channel’s contribution to both color and monochrome workflows. In color prints, Gray helps smooth transitions and reduces the risk of unwanted color shifts in neutral regions. In monochrome, it delivers luminous, neutral black-and-white prints with precise control from deep shadows through delicate highlights—ideal for portraiture, landscape, architecture, and fine art portfolios.

This is the Gray (GY) PFI-5100 ink tank for select Canon imagePROGRAF printers that use LUCIA PRO II inks and accept PFI-5100 cartridges. Always confirm your printer’s ink tank code before purchasing—if your printer specifies PFI-5100 for Gray, this is the correct OEM tank. Manufacturer Number: 6959C002. UPC: 013803383423.

Using genuine Canon ink ensures accurate hits on Canon ICC profiles, consistent color across production runs, and reliable nozzle performance and clog resistance. It also helps maintain your printer’s health over time, supports predictable maintenance cycles, and preserves the investment you’ve made in calibration and profiling workflows.

Store unopened tanks horizontally in a cool, dry place and avoid extreme temperature swings. Before installation, gently agitate the cartridge as recommended by Canon to ensure pigment dispersion. Replace one color at a time to minimize workflow interruption and label or track your replacement dates for proactive maintenance. After installation, run a quick nozzle check to verify consistent ink delivery, especially prior to mission-critical print runs.

LUCIA PRO II is optimized for a wide range of Canon-recommended photo and fine art media, including glossy, luster, baryta, matte cotton rag, and specialty materials. The Gray ink contributes to natural tonal depth on matte papers and maintains smooth highlights and neutral grays on glossy and semi-gloss media, reducing bronzing and improving perceived sharpness and contrast.

Professional photographers producing gallery and client work; fine art printmakers and studios selling limited editions; design shops and in-house corporate teams needing predictable, high-accuracy color; photo labs and service bureaus seeking consistent output with minimal reprints and color drift.

Third-party inks may promise cost savings but often introduce variability in hue, density, gloss differential, and long-term stability. Canon’s OEM LUCIA PRO II Gray is tuned to the printer’s screening algorithms, microencapsulation, and head technology—resulting in better reliability, tighter tolerances, and accurate use of Canon media profiles. For mission-critical color, OEM remains the surest path to consistent results and fewer production surprises.

Work with up-to-date Canon media profiles or create custom ICC profiles for your preferred papers. Keep your printer in a stable environment; temperature and humidity swings can affect ink behavior. Perform periodic nozzle checks and calibrations to maintain peak performance. Standardize your soft-proofing conditions and viewing light to minimize metamerism-induced decision errors.

Canon maintenance cartridges and print heads specified for your printer model help ensure long-term reliability. Stock complementary LUCIA PRO II tanks (MBK, PBK, C, M, Y, PC, PM, GY, PGY, and any specialty channels your printer uses) to avoid downtime mid-run. Pair with Canon or premium third-party archival papers to fully exploit the ink set’s gamut and permanence.

Ink family: Canon LUCIA PRO II; Color: Gray (GY); Ink type: Pigment-based for archival quality; Form factor: Individual OEM ink tank; Intended use: Professional photo, fine art, proofing, and design; Compatibility: Canon imagePROGRAF printers that specify PFI-5100 tanks (Gray).