Evaluating MFPs 21
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
18). Follow these guidelines for printing sample documents:
• When evaluating more than one product’s print and copy 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 output quality.)
• Use more than one software application to make sure software/driver conflicts are not affecting output
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 and copy quality should be evaluated under a mix of fluorescent and incandescent lighting.
Output 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 output 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 output
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 output 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, 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, no toner filling lines.
• Portrait and landscape text should have the same print quality.
Hollow spots:
Toner scatter:
Jagged edges:
Output quality
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