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Nozzle Check (PDF)

Nozzle check PDF header

Printer nozzle check pattern is the main tool for assessing assessing the state of individual ink nozzles based on CMYK color scheme which is used for 4 color process imagery.

One of the most widely used methods to determine nozzle performance and troubleshoot possible ink issues is this nozzle check test file. You should be able to print such pattern directly out of your printer’s control panel (integrated digital screen) or by pressing the predetermined button combination. You don’t even need to hook your printer up to a laptop or PC (please look into your owner’s manual for directions of how it’s done on your model).

Important: This particular test pdf sheet is tuned for CMYK test print. For printers using more than 4 ink cartridges, a different test should be selected from our website’s downloads section.

If your printer is reluctant to present you with aforementioned troubleshooting options, we can lend you this PDF file that has a similar color patterns. These patterns should be sufficient for initial troubleshooting and assessment of individual printer nozzle performance. Take a good look at the printed file to identify any color accuracy issues and perform further actions as necessary to restore your printer’s performance.

Printable PDF page preview:

nozzle check test page

Nozzle check page will test CMYK performance on your color 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

There are specific guidelines for performing a nozzle check color print test. Before you start, there are some steps you should follow:

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. Make sure the printer is set to use the CMYK color mode and that any color management settings are set to “off” or “printer manages colors.”

How to evaluate this test

So you printed the test file, now what? Well, pushing the page out is just half of the job, now it’s time to review and assess the output.

There are quite few things that you should be looking for. Your task now is to compare the PDF that you see on your screen with the image that your printer produced on the paper.

Major issues will include:
• Missing the black net section at the top.
• Missing any of the pure color blocks below the top section.

Minor issues will include:
• Partially printed or distorted net at the top.
• Color blocks partially printed or having streaks of any kind (non-solid color).

By following these guidelines, you can perform a thorough CMYK color print test that will help you evaluate the performance of your printer’s color output.

Here’s how some *failed* nozzle check pages might turn out:

What’s next?

Once you’re happy with your printed CMYK 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 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.

printer color test page brands