24 Evaluating the MFP
Evaluation
Printing samples
It is important to test files like those that are printed in your workplace. Most print quality files or
print samples included with a product have been optimized for that product and may not reflect the
output you will receive. You may want to use the samples you created for evaluating performance
(see “Creating samples” on page 20). Follow these guidelines for printing sample documents:
• When evaluating more than one product’s print quality, it is crucial that you make a fair
comparison between products. Print the same files on all products, using the same or
equivalent settings. Use the same operating system and software application, and be sure to
test comparable printer drivers. (Each of these components interacts with the printing process
and can affect print quality.)
• Use more than one software application to make sure software/driver conflicts are not
affecting print quality.
• Plain papers vary among brands and the regions in which they are manufactured. Some plain
papers have a preferred print side. You should also take into account storage conditions as
well as how the papers handle toner.
• Temperature and humidity should be kept constant for each product tested. These factors can
have an impact on final print quality.
Viewing samples
Ideally, print 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 paper. 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 output quality
When you evaluate print quality, avoid magnification. Under magnification, insignificant
differences become huge. However, careful inspection is still necessary, and when doing this, look
for the following characteristics:
Text output quality
• Text should be dark, not faded.
• Text should be 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, no toner filling lines.
• Portrait and landscape text should have the same print quality.
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