TestDock

Black and white printer test page

Print one sheet that uses only black: text from 5 to 12 pt, a solid black and a 50% grey block, grey steps from 0 to 100% and hairline grids. It shows faded or streaky black, missing lines and blurred text without spending colour ink.

PDF · A4PDF · Letter

In the print dialog choose 100% / Actual size (not Fit to page), turn on Background graphics, and pick the same paper size as here.

TestDock black & white test pagePaper: A4 (210 × 297 mm) · print at 100%, greyscale or black onlyTEXT SIZES (BLACK ONLY)5 pt Sharp text: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog 01234567896 pt Sharp text: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog 01234567898 pt Sharp text: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog 012345678910 pt Sharp text: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog 012345678912 pt Sharp text: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog 012345678912 pt Bold 0123456789SOLID BLACK AND 50% GREY100% K50% KGREY STEPS 0–100% IN 5% STEPS0102030405060708090100HAIRLINE GRIDS: LOOK FOR GAPS OR STREAKSCHECK ON THE PRINTED SHEETSolid black is even, with no white lines or faded bandsEvery grey step is distinct from its neighbours5 pt text is readable and lines are not brokenHairline grids have no missing or doubled linesOriginal pattern. Uses black ink or toner only (unless the driver mixes colours for grey).TestDock black & white test pagePaper: US Letter (8.5 × 11 in) · print at 100%, greyscale or black onlyTEXT SIZES (BLACK ONLY)5 pt Sharp text: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog 01234567896 pt Sharp text: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog 01234567898 pt Sharp text: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog 012345678910 pt Sharp text: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog 012345678912 pt Sharp text: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog 012345678912 pt Bold 0123456789SOLID BLACK AND 50% GREY100% K50% KGREY STEPS 0–100% IN 5% STEPS0102030405060708090100HAIRLINE GRIDS: LOOK FOR GAPS OR STREAKSCHECK ON THE PRINTED SHEETSolid black is even, with no white lines or faded bandsEvery grey step is distinct from its neighbours5 pt text is readable and lines are not brokenHairline grids have no missing or doubled linesOriginal pattern. Uses black ink or toner only (unless the driver mixes colours for grey).

How to print it

  1. Choose A4 or US Letter under Paper to match the paper in the tray.
  2. Press Print test page, or download PDF · A4 or PDF · Letter and print the file.
  3. In the print dialog choose 100% / Actual size (not Fit to page), turn on Background graphics, and select greyscale or black-only printing if your driver offers it.
  4. Use your normal quality setting first. If you also print in a draft or ink-saving mode, print a second sheet in that mode and compare the two.
  5. Tick the checklist printed at the bottom of the sheet.

Reading the sheet

  • Solid black: should be even. White lines running in the paper direction usually point to blocked nozzles on an inkjet; faded bands or a lighter side on a laser printer often point to low toner or a worn drum or toner unit.
  • 50% grey and grey steps: each 5% step should be distinct from its neighbours. Steps that merge at the dark end mean the printer cannot separate those tones on this paper; a grey with a colour tint means the driver is mixing colour inks for grey.
  • Text from 5 to 12 pt: 5 pt should still be readable with a lens or at close range. Fuzzy or broken letters suggest a paper type mismatch, low ink or a dirty print head.
  • Hairline grids: missing, doubled or ragged lines show nozzle gaps or print-head misalignment. For doubled vertical lines, use the printer alignment test page.

What to try next

  • For gaps and streaks on an inkjet, run the nozzle check and head cleaning from your printer's own maintenance menu, driver utility or app, then print this page again. Repeated cleaning uses ink, so check the result after each cycle.
  • For faded laser prints, gently shaking or replacing the toner cartridge is a common remedy; follow the manual for your model.
  • If black prints but colours are missing, use the CMYK printer test or the colour printer test page. For a general check of scale and layout, print the printer test page.

The sheet shows what the printer produces. It cannot read how much ink or toner is left, and there is no single cleaning routine that fits every printer.

Questions

Does this page use only black ink?

It is written with black only. Some drivers still mix colour inks to print greys, especially in photo or high quality modes. Choosing greyscale or black-only in the print dialog makes black-only output more likely, but the driver decides.

Why is my black printing faded when the cartridge is new?

Common causes are dried or blocked nozzles, a protective tape left on the cartridge, a draft or ink-saving mode, or a paper type setting that lays down less ink. Check those, run your printer's nozzle check, and print the page again.

Related tests