Colour printer test page
Let’s see how it prints.
One sheet is a good place to start.
Selected test: Colour Other tests ↗
Use normal print quality and portrait orientation. Turn off browser headers and footers.
Opens your browser’s print dialog.
Colour blocks, gradients and fine detail in one general print check.
Use this colour printer test page for a general check of colour coverage, smooth gradients and fine detail. It works as a browser print job, so the result includes the effects of your printer settings, driver, paper and supplies.
How to print the colour test
- Load plain paper and select A4 or US Letter above.
- Choose Print test page, then select your printer. Choose colour rather than grayscale in its settings.
- Use portrait orientation, normal quality and a single copy. Turn off browser headers and footers. Check that the preview fits on one sheet.
- Let the page dry if needed, then inspect it under consistent lighting.
What to look for
| Pattern | Useful observation | Next check |
|---|---|---|
| Colour blocks | Visible white gaps, streaks or uneven areas | Compare with the printer’s built-in quality report. |
| Gradients | Abrupt bands or missing sections | Check the quality setting, paper selection and a second document. |
| Fine lines | Broken or doubled edges | Try the alignment pattern. |
| Text | Blur or incomplete strokes | Compare with the black-and-white test. |
Why the colours are not an ink-level test
The cyan, magenta, yellow and black blocks are screen-defined colours. Your printer driver decides how to reproduce them and may combine several inks. A missing-looking colour on this page does not prove that a particular cartridge is empty. Check supplies through your printer’s own interface.
Should the print match my screen exactly?
No. A glowing screen and a sheet of paper display colour differently. Brightness, room lighting, paper and colour settings affect the comparison. Use this pattern to notice visible defects; use a managed colour-proofing process when accurate colour matching matters.
This page cannot clean a printhead or change printer calibration. For those tasks, follow the instructions for your exact model.
Seeing a problem? Continue with lines and streaks or faded printing.