Nozzle Performance Checks (Advanced, including PDF’s)

Advanced nozzle performance checks include printable PDF testing sheets formatted for A4 paper. These sheets are designed to assess the printer’s functionality and ensure that each nozzle is delivering ink correctly.

Important: These downloadable resources are intended for advanced technical use. Some of the patterns are only suitable for printers that use more than four ink cartridges. If you need the most basic variation, please consider selecting a different test from the downloads section of our website.

By using these test patterns, users can easily identify issues such as clogs or misalignment in the print head, allowing for timely maintenance and optimal print quality.

Nozzle Performance Check (basic) file will test ink nozzle performance on your color printer

Standard CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black)

Cyan:     #00FFFF
Magenta:  #FF00FF
Yellow:   #FFFF00
Black:    #000000

These are the basic colors used in standard color printing. Click download button below to get the PDF file required for this test.

Nozzle Performance Check (acute angle patterns) file will test ink nozzle performance on your color printer

Click download button below to get the PDF file required for this test.

Nozzle Performance Check (CMYKOG) file will test ink nozzle performance on your extended gamut color printer

CMYKOG (Extended Gamut with Orange and Green)

Cyan:     #00FFFF
Magenta:  #FF00FF
Yellow:   #FFFF00
Black:    #000000
Orange:   #FF7F00
Green:    #00FF00

This extended gamut adds orange and green for a wider range of colors. Click download button below to get the PDF file required for this test.

Nozzle Performance Check (CMYKOGV) file will test ink nozzle performance on your extended gamut color printer

CMYKOGV (Extended Gamut with Orange, Green, and Violet)

Cyan:     #00FFFF
Magenta:  #FF00FF
Yellow:   #FFFF00
Black:    #000000
Orange:   #FF7F00
Green:    #00FF00
Violet:   #7F00FF

This configuration further expands the color palette by including violet. Click download button below to get the PDF file required for this test.

Nozzle Performance Check (CMYKRGB) file will test ink nozzle performance on your extended gamut color printer

CMYKRGB (Extended Gamut with Red, Green, and Blue)

Cyan:     #00FFFF
Magenta:  #FF00FF
Yellow:   #FFFF00
Black:    #000000
Red:      #FF0000
Green:    #00FF00
Blue:     #0000FF

This gamut incorporates red, green, and blue for a vibrant array of colors. Click download button below to get the PDF file required for this test.

Nozzle Performance Check (scattered) file will test ink nozzle performance on your extended gamut color printer

This is an advanced version of the nozzle check test. Please proceed with caution, as it may expose underlying issues with your printer in approximately 10% of cases. We recommend being prepared for the possibility of unexpected results. Click download button below to get the PDF file required for this 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

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 CMYK 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 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.