Evaluating color laser printers 15
Evaluation
This section offers guidelines for conducting your own printer performance evaluation. It is
important to test files like those that are printed in your workplace. Most print samples included
with a printer have been optimized for that printer and may not reflect the type of output you will
receive.
Creating samples
When evaluating printer performance, test a group of sample documents that represent what the
end-user will print on the printer. Your samples should include multiple documents and file types,
each created in the applications that will be used by the end-user. The samples should have
different elements (text, graphics, and photographic images) and should vary in complexity and
page length.
Some suggested content includes simple text documents, mixed text and graphics, and complex
graphics containing photographic images.
CAUTION! Using only one application or file can skew test results. Use several types of files
and applications to present a broad and realistic performance picture.
Evaluation guidelines
Before you print the sample documents, make sure that your test environment simulates the end-
user’s and that you make a fair comparison between printers. Follow the guidelines below:
Measure how a printer will perform from the end-user’s perspective.
• Print from computer systems that closely match the typical end-user’s machine.
• Test multiple media sizes and types.
• Test print features (handout printing, booklets, duplexing, etc.).
• Test and compare default settings. (What settings will end-users use most often?)
Simple: text, line art, and
basic clip art
Mixed: from complex text
to a mixture of text and
medium-complexity
graphics
Comple
: photo
raphic ima
es and
advanced graphics (using overlays or fill
patterns)
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