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Monochrome Printer Test Page (PDF)

monochrome printer test page download pdf

This is a monochrome print test page. If you’re looking for our regular grayscale test for cmyk printing, see this page instead.

Monochrome printing, using only black ink, is an efficient and cost-effective method for producing high-quality black-and-white prints. Techniques like dithering and half-toning ensure that shades of gray are rendered smoothly. This page provides you with access to a free downloadable PDF test page that you can use to fine-tune your printing settings for highest quality outcome while using least resources.

For best results, make sure to try different settings and techniques like Half-toning or Dithering (should be available in your printing software) and compare the results to pick the best option for your printer type and model.

Printable PDF page preview:

monochrome printing test page preview

Monochrome Test Page will test black ink performance on your inkjet or laserjet printer

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

Once you download this monochrome test page document (make sure to get PDF, not a JPG preview) there are only few steps to take.

You can print it outright to see the initial result, but we would advice to visit the settings of your printer. Look for grayscale or black-and-white printing preferences section. Use the highest quality print settings available for monochrome printing.

If you want your printer not to use any colored ink, make sure to set it to monochrome or grayscale mode in the print settings. This step is necessary because most probably your printing settings are set to “Let printer manage colors” by default.

Print the test PDF document on a blank sheet of A4 paper. The printer may perform differently if you set your printer to monochrome, grayscale or color (CMYK) printing.

Make notes on each test page to remember what settings were used for each result. This will allow you to evaluate and compare performance accurately based on each set of settings.

How to evaluate this test

There are a few signs that can indicate if a monochrome printing is up to a standard:

  • Examine Grayscale Gradients:

    • Review the grayscale gradient printout.
    • Ensure smooth transitions from black to white without visible banding or abrupt changes.
    • Look for consistent shading and uniform distribution of ink/toner.
  • Assess High-Contrast Image:

    • Inspect the high-contrast image for detail reproduction.
    • Check if fine details are clearly visible and distinct.
    • Evaluate the depth and richness of the blacks, as well as the purity of the whites.
  • Review Line Art:

    • Examine the line art or geometric shapes.
    • Look for precise, clean lines without any feathering or blurring.
    • Ensure that lines are straight and consistent in width.
  • Check for Consistency:

    • Print multiple copies of the same document to check for consistency in print quality.
    • Compare the prints to see if there are any variations in quality between them.

Monochrome printing is not very common as using just a bit of your colored ink can improve the print quality very significantly (see CMYK print test for more details). However, if you opt for using this method, you should expect some diminished quality in exchange for lower resource usage and overall long-term cost.

What’s next?

Once you’re happy with your grayscale image, 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 printer maintenance

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.

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