Black Ink Test Page
Solid and stepped black, line patterns and a nozzle-style inspection pattern for visual checks. Not a hardware diagnosis.
For accurate output, print at 100% scale (no “fit to page”) and check your printer’s color settings.
TestOnDevice Printer Test Page
A4 / Letter · print at 100%Grayscale steps (0–100%)
Color patches
Fine line resolution
Text legibility
6pt — The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. 0123456789
8pt — The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. 0123456789
10pt — The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
12pt — The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
How this test works
Printer test pages render a print-optimized layout — alignment marks, grayscale steps, color patches, fine lines and graded text — using ordinary HTML and CSS. A print stylesheet removes the site header, footer and any ad slots so only the test pattern reaches the paper.
When you print, the browser hands the page to your printer driver, which applies its own scaling and color management. For an accurate result you should print at 100% scale and disable any ‘fit to page’ option.
This is a visual inspection aid: you compare what you see on paper against the on-screen reference. It does not communicate with the printer or read ink levels.
How to use it
- Open the test page and press the Print button.
- In the print dialog, set scale to 100% and turn off ‘fit to page’.
- Choose the correct paper size (A4 or Letter) and color mode.
- Print and compare the output to the on-screen pattern.
- Inspect alignment marks, gradients, fine lines and text for defects.
What it detects
- Alignment and margin accuracy against printed reference marks
- Banding in gradients and missing lines that hint at clogged nozzles
- Color reproduction and grayscale linearity, visually
- Whether fine detail and small text stay legible
What it can’t detect
- A hardware diagnosis or ink-level reading — the browser can’t talk to the printer
- Exact color accuracy without a calibrated workflow
- Whether scaling problems come from the browser, the driver, or the printer
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | What to do |
|---|---|
| Output is scaled wrong | Set scale to 100% and disable ‘fit to page’ in the print dialog. |
| Ads or site chrome printed | This shouldn’t happen — the print stylesheet removes them; make sure you print from this page, not a screenshot. |
| Missing lines in the nozzle pattern | Run your printer’s head-cleaning routine and print again. |
| Colors look off | Check the driver’s color mode and paper type; browser and printer color management both affect output. |
FAQ
How do I print correctly?
Use your browser’s print dialog, set scale to 100% (avoid ‘fit to page’), and check the printer’s color settings.
Are ads printed?
No. Print styles remove all site chrome and ad slots.
Can this fix my printer?
It helps you inspect output visually, but it can’t diagnose or repair hardware.
Which paper size should I use?
Match the page to your paper — A4 or Letter — and select the same size in the print dialog.
Why do colors differ from my screen?
Screens emit light (RGB) while printers mix ink (CMYK); without calibration some difference is normal.
Do I need special paper?
Plain paper is fine for alignment and nozzle checks; photo paper shows color and gradients better.