Rainbow Printer Test

Ah, yes… The rainbow! One of the most recognizable patterns and probably one of the most common in childhood coloring pages and workbooks. Everybody knows how the rainbow should look like, it does have 7 colors colors starting with red at the top, then goes orange, yellow green, blue indigo and violet. This combination is sometimes abbreviated like this ROYGBIV.

So it is not too complicated so far. But wait till you try to print something as simple as rainbow. You might unexpectedly learn, that your printer fails at this simple task. One of the most common issues with rainbow bar printing is dull, unlively colors. And we certainly don’t want that when we talk about rainbows!

It could mean (and in most cases it does mean) that something is slightly wrong with your printer color management or that your printer is incapable to produce desired results for some technical reason. At this point, we offer a whole range of troubleshooting tools and test images to help you improve your printer’s performance.

Rainbow Printer Test Page (PDF) will test color performance of your printer

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

Rainbow Printer Vector Page (PDF) has plenty of rainbows that you can print

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

Rainbow Test Print Page (Patterns) has different patterns to test rainbow color printing

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

How to use this test page

Printing rainbows is not essential task for your printer, if you think that something might be wrong or if you suspect that color accuracy is not up to a desired printing standard, you should test individual performance of your color cartridges. For this task, we have a list of very specific downloadable test pages that you can find here.

Adjust the printer settings: To get the best results, make sure you have the correct printer settings for the type of paper you are using. You can usually find recommended settings in the printer manual or online.

Adjust the printer settings: Ensure your printer is ready to deliver precisely what you expect. Set the color management to full color. Do not hold back on the ink with any eco-print or ink saver settings. After all, nothing spoils a perfect rainbow like a stingy printer that skimps on ink.

Consider using a color management system: When implementing a color management system, printers can achieve very precise and consistent color results, ensuring that printed output matches the original digital image as closely as possible.

Check the ink or toner levels: Before printing, make sure you have enough ink or toner in your cartridges. If the levels are low, you may not get the best results.

To print the downloaded PDF test page, follow these steps:

Open the test page in a PDF viewer or image editor.
Go to the Print dialog box and select your printer.
Make sure the printer settings are correct for the type of paper you are using.
Click Print and wait for the test page to print.

Once the print job is complete, analyze the test page to ensure that the printer is producing the correct colors. Look for any visible banding, streaks, or other anomalies that could indicate issues with the printer.

How to evaluate this test

When evaluating photo print quality, there are a few things you can look for:

Color accuracy: The colors in the printed photo should match the colors in the original image as closely as possible. Use a reference image to compare the colors side by side. The rainbow bars should match the source image.

Contrast: The range of tones in the photo should be balanced, with rich shadows and bright highlights.

Grain: If the photo contains any grain (as in film photography), it should be uniform and not blotchy or speckled.

To compare the printed photo to the PDF on your screen, you can use a color calibration tool to ensure that your monitor is displaying colors accurately. Keep in mind that the colors on your screen may not match the printed photo exactly due to differences in color gamut and calibration between your monitor and printer.

When printing, it is recommended to use high-quality paper and the appropriate printer settings for best quality printing. It’s also a good idea to use the printer’s highest quality settings for printing to get the best possible results.

What’s next?

Once you’re happy with the appearance of rainbow bars on your printed page, you should consider several important measures to maintain printing quality over time.

As your printer ages, it may start to experience wear and tear that can affect its performance and output quality. However, regular maintenance and care can help prolong its life and maintain its quality.

To prevent ink from drying or toner from clogging, it’s important to use your printer regularly, especially if you have an inkjet printer. Inkjet printers are more prone to clogging if they are not used frequently.

For laser printers, you can perform regular maintenance tasks such as cleaning the printer, replacing the toner cartridge when it’s empty, and avoiding exposure to extreme temperatures or humidity.

Keep testing regularly

Performing regular printing tests can help you monitor the quality of your printer’s output over time. You should perform these tests every few months, or more frequently if you use your printer heavily. Keeping printed test pages for comparison can help you identify any changes in print quality and make adjustments to improve it.

By taking these steps, you can help ensure that your printer maintains its quality and lasts for as long as possible.