HP Color LaserJet CM1015 - Viewing samples; Evaluating print quality; Text quality; Graphics quality

14 Evaluating color MFPs
Viewing samples
Ideally, output quality should be evaluated under a mix of fluorescent and incandescent lighting. Print quality
should not be evaluated too close to windows, since natural light changes dramatically with variations in
weather and time of day.
In addition, the color of the surrounding area can significantly affect quality perception. White surroundings
may call undue attention to the color of the media. Medium or light gray is usually the best choice for the
area surrounding where the sample documents will be evaluated.
Individuals may perceive print quality differently. HP suggests that you have several people evaluate your
sample documents, in the same environment, with a consistent light source. Have them vote on the samples
that they like by listing them in order from the best to the worst. Allow each person to rate the samples
independently and then record the results. Also, have each person establish a cut line for acceptable print
quality for the end-user environment.
Note This process is referred to as psychometric testing and should be performed on all of the sample
documents that you are using to evaluate text, graphics, and image quality.
Evaluating print quality
When you evaluate output quality, avoid magnification, which can draw attention to insignificant differences.
However, careful inspection is still necessary, and when doing this, look for the following characteristics:
Text quality—
• Text should be dark, not faded, and solid black, without
hollow spots.
• Edges should be crisp and smooth, not jagged.
• There should be little or no toner scattered on the non-printed areas
of the paper.
• Reverse text should be fully visible, with no filling lines. Portrait and
landscape text should have the same print quality.
Graphics quality—
• Edges of colored shapes and graphics should be
well-formed and smooth.
• Fine lines should be distinct, not blending into each
other or dropping out.
• Solid color fills should be uniform and should not
bleed into each other.
• There should be no bands across graphics.
Image quality—
• Images should be clear and sharp, with no
bands across images.
• There should be no graininess or dot visibility.
• Skin tones should look natural.
• Images should look natural and realistic
Hollow spots:
Toner scatter:
Jagged edges:
Bad
image
quality
Good
image
quality
Distinct lines,
good detail
Missin
g
lines,
bad detail