What is this website about?

These buttons will help you test your printer and print one-page test pages (documents) for testing your printers.

Printer Test Options

Print a black and white test page to check grayscale printing quality

Print a full color test page to check color printing quality

📋 Color Test Page Instructions

Important: For color bars to appear correctly in your printout:

  1. Click the "Colour Test Page" button above
  2. In the print dialog, click "More settings"
  3. Check the "Background graphics" option
  4. Then print or save as PDF
💡 Note: Without "Background graphics" enabled, you'll only see text labels instead of the actual color bars.

HP Diagnostic print test colors (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) All in one.

Print CMYK color separation test page for professional printer diagnostics

📄 CMYK Test Page Instructions

Follow these steps to ensure colors print correctly

  1. 1

    Click the CMYK Test Page Button

    Click on the "CMYK Test Page" button above. This will open a new window with the test page and automatically bring up your browser's print dialog.

  2. 2

    Locate "More settings"

    In the print dialog that appears, look for "More settings" on the right side. Click on it to expand additional printing options.

  3. 3

    Enable "Background graphics"

    Look for the "Options" section in the expanded settings. Find the checkbox labeled "Background graphics" and make sure it is checked/enabled.

  4. 4

    Print or Save

    Once "Background graphics" is enabled, you can either print directly to your printer or save as PDF. The colors should now be visible in the preview.

Visual Reference:
Screenshot showing Background graphics checkbox location in browser print dialog

Look for: More settings → Options → ✅ Background graphics

Still having issues or need more information? For help, read the comprehensive guide below.

Printer Test Pages: Analyze and Optimize Your Printer

A comprehensive guide to testing and troubleshooting your printer using test pages.

Why Use Printer Test Pages?

Since I come from an IT background I've fixed a few printer issues in my lifetime, so if you're still having issues I provided some information below to help. A printer test page is one of the easiest and most effective ways to analyze and calibrate your printer's performance. Test pages often include text, graphics, and images that help maintain your printer's health and identify potential issues.

Common Issues Identified by Printer Test Pages

  • Blocked Printheads: Dried ink in unused printheads can cause blockages, reducing print quality.
  • Alignment Issues: Misaligned cartridges or damaged components can skew printed images.
  • Inconsistent Ink Flow: Faulty cartridges may cause uneven ink release, affecting print quality.
  • Printer Status: Test pages help distinguish mechanical issues from system or communication problems.

Types of Printer Test Pages

Printer Color Test Pages

Color test pages are ideal for printers using four or more colors. These pages include:

  • Color Intensities Graph: Identifies color replication and flushes printheads.
  • Rainbow Bars: Helps align printheads and detects ink bleeding.
  • Radial Gradients: Checks sustained printing quality of specific colors.
  • Text Block: Monitors ink flow and precision.

Printer Grayscale Test Pages

Grayscale test pages assess the black ink cartridge. These pages include:

  • Intensities Graph: Flushes printheads and verifies grayscale replication.
  • Radial Gradients: Evaluates grayscale printing consistency.
  • Grid: Ensures accurate printhead alignment.
  • Text Block: Tests ink flow and precision for common print jobs.

How to Print a Printer Test Page

Follow these steps to print a test page based on your operating system:

Windows Instructions

  • Windows 10: Go to "Devices and Printers," right-click your printer, select "Printer Properties," and click "Print Test Page."
  • Windows 8/8.1: Search for "Devices & Printers," right-click your printer, select "Printer Properties," and click "Print Test Page."
  • Windows 7: Navigate to "Devices and Printers," right-click your printer, select "Printer Properties," and click "Print Test Page."
  • Windows Vista/XP: Similar steps to Windows 7; access printer settings through the Control Panel.

Mac OS Instructions

  • Version 1: Open "System Preferences," select "Print & Fax," choose your printer, and click "Run Print Test Page."
  • Version 2: Access "Printers & Scanners," select your printer, click "Options & Supplies," then "Print Test Page."

Printer Test Analysis

After printing your test page, identify and resolve issues using the following guide:

Printer test page analysis guide showing common issues, causes, and solutions
Issue Possible Causes Solution
Breaks in text or colors Clogged printhead Perform a Printhead Cleaning Cycle from your printer menu or settings.
Light or spotty printing Clogged printhead Perform a Printhead Cleaning Cycle. Replace ink cartridges if needed.
Misaligned grids or bars Misaligned ink cartridges Reinstall cartridges and ensure no blockages are present.
Test page won't print Mechanical printer issue Check for paper jams, disconnected wires, or missing cartridges.