ISO 12233 Test Chart (PDF)
Conducting a test involves the meticulous process of printing an ISO 12233 Test Chart, focusing on the printer and paper aspects without delving into the camera details. When producing prints at A4 (letter) size, achieving fine detail is contingent upon the printer’s capabilities. However, it’s noted that the chart may not completely fill the frame at certain distances.
Scaling up to A3 size provides a more optimal distance to the chart but may not yield fine enough detail for a sensor with even moderate specifications, assuming the frame is filled. To address this limitation, one proposed solution involves printing multiple charts (e.g., four) and combining them to compose the image. This method offers finer details compared to enlarging a single chart, although the results may not be readily comparable to tests conducted by others.
Considering the choice of paper and printer quality is crucial in this test. While fairly glossy paper enhances fine details, it poses challenges in terms of usability due to reflections. Optimal results were obtained with a more matte paper. Moreover, the real print resolution of the printer in use must be taken into account, as it may not deliver the required clarity at the desired level of detail. The approach of printing multiple charts and amalgamating them mitigates the necessity for an excessively high-resolution printer, offering a practical solution to achieve satisfactory results in the laboratory setting at home.
ISO 12233 Test Chart PDF file
Click download button below to get the PDF file required for this test.
Warning: Do not print the preview JPG image itself, as it is highly compressed and it will not meet the required performance criteria for a proper color test page. The tools and guides we offer on this website are entirely free of charge, so please use the appropriate download button to get the necessary testing media for conducting the test.
How to use this test
There are specific guidelines for performing a black and white color print test. Before you start, there are some steps you should follow:
Make sure you have a printer that uses black and white color process. Both inkjet and laserjet printers can be used for this test, as long as they use black and white inks or toners.
Download a black and white color test page from a reliable source, such as the printer manufacturer’s website or a professional printing organization. This test page should include a variety of color swatches, gradients, and images that test the printer’s ability to reproduce accurate and consistent colors. You can use our color test pages in PDF format.
Before printing the test page, make sure your printer is calibrated and the color settings are correct. You may need to adjust the color profile, color temperature, or other settings depending on your printer and the type of paper you are using.
Print the test page at the highest quality setting and on the appropriate paper for your printer. Keep in mind that your printer will still probably use CMYK color mode, so you should specifically set it to grayscale or black and white. Also, the color management settings are set to “off” or “printer manages colors.”
How to evaluate this test
Once the print job is complete, examine the test page carefully to ensure that the printer is reproducing accurate and consistent colors. Look for any visible banding, streaks, or other anomalies that could indicate issues with the printer’s color output.
Optionally, you can use a colorimeter or spectrophotometer to measure the color accuracy of the printed test page, if available. This will provide more precise measurements of the printer’s color output and assist you in identifying any issues or areas for improvement.
By following these guidelines, you can perform a thorough RGB color print test that will help you evaluate the performance of your printer’s color output.
What’s next?
Once you’re happy with your printed black and white page appearance, you can proceed to the next test (there is a link below). Or pick another color test page from our printing test collections. On this website we offer a variety of color test pages that you can download and use for your ink printer or laser printer quality assurance tests.

Color test page
It is important to print a color test page once in a while. This will help you to ensure that the printer is functioning properly and producing high-quality prints. It can also help you to identify any potential issues with the printer early on, so that you can take the necessary steps to address them. Additionally, testing the print page can help you to get familiar with the printer's features and settings, so that you can get the most out of your new device.