Color Printer Test Page
This test isolates color output from everything else. It prints pure cyan, magenta, yellow and black patches, pure red, green and blue patches, a continuous multi-color gradient, four large single-ink density blocks, and a synthetic photo-like scene — so you can tell whether a color problem comes from one specific ink, from banding, or from overall color accuracy. (This is the same page people also call a colour test page or color test print.)
If the button doesn't work, press Ctrl+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+P (Mac) to open your browser's print dialog.
This is an on-screen preview. Your printer, paper, ink or toner level, and print driver settings all affect the final physical result.
How to use this printer test
- Make sure Color mode is selected in your print dialog — not grayscale or "black ink only".
- Choose your paper size above — the preview updates instantly.
- For the most accurate colors, use plain paper for a quick check or photo paper if you want to evaluate print quality closer to real photos.
- Print at 100% scale, then compare the physical result to the on-screen preview in good, even lighting.
What should the printed page look like?
CMYK and RGB patches
Each patch should be a flat, even color with no visible streaks or lighter patches. Cyan, magenta and yellow should look distinctly different from each other.
Gradient bar
The color transition should be smooth. Visible hard bands or repeating stripes indicate banding, usually from a partially clogged nozzle or low ink.
Density blocks
Each large single-color block should look uniform edge to edge. Streaks, a lighter strip, or a gradual fade across one block point to that specific ink channel.
Photo test area
The sky gradient should transition smoothly and the skin-tone swatch should look natural, not too red, too yellow, or too pale — a good indicator of overall color calibration.
Common printer problems
One color (e.g. magenta) is missing or very light everywhere it should appear
Likely cause: That cartridge is low, empty, or its nozzles are clogged.
How to fix it: Check that cartridge's ink level, run a cleaning cycle, and reprint this test.
Horizontal banding across density blocks or the gradient
Likely cause: Partially clogged nozzles or a dirty encoder strip (inkjet printers) causing inconsistent ink delivery.
How to fix it: Run the nozzle cleaning cycle from your printer's utility software, then check our Nozzle Check test to confirm which channel is affected.
Colors look correct but noticeably different from what's on screen
Likely cause: Your monitor and printer aren't color-managed the same way, or the print driver's color profile is set incorrectly.
How to fix it: This is usually a color-management, not a hardware, issue — check your print driver's color settings and ICC profile rather than replacing ink.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test printer colors?
Print this color test page in Color mode at 100% scale, then check that CMYK and RGB patches are solid and evenly colored and that the gradient transitions smoothly without banding.
What does a printer color test page show?
It isolates each ink channel and shows continuous color transitions, so you can tell whether a color issue is caused by one specific cartridge, by clogged nozzles, or by general color calibration.
Why are my printed colors faded or washed out?
Faded color usually means low ink or toner, a nozzle partially clogged with dried ink, or a "draft" or "eco" print mode using less ink than normal — check the print quality setting in your driver first.
Can I download the color test page as a PDF?
Yes. Use the Download PDF button above the preview to save the color test page in the paper size you selected, then print it from any PDF viewer. Printing straight from the browser with the Print button gives the same result.
What is the difference between the CMYK and RGB patches?
The CMYK patches (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) are the inks your printer actually uses, so they show whether each ink channel works. The RGB patches (red, green, blue) are made by mixing those inks, so they show how well your printer blends them. A weak red usually points to the magenta or yellow channel, a weak green to cyan or yellow, and a weak blue to cyan or magenta.
Why do printed colors never match my screen exactly?
Screens mix red, green and blue light, while printers mix cyan, magenta, yellow and black ink on paper. The ranges of color they can show overlap but are not identical, and paper type and driver settings change the result further. Compare your prints with earlier prints from the same printer rather than with the screen.
Does this work for color laser printers as well as inkjets?
Yes. The patches, gradient and density blocks reveal uneven toner and banding on color laser printers just as they reveal uneven ink on inkjets. Nozzle problems only apply to inkjets.
How often should I run a color printer test?
Run one when colors look off, after changing a cartridge or paper type, and roughly monthly if you print photos or need reliable color. For an inkjet that is used rarely, a weekly test keeps ink flowing.
What should I do if one color is missing or streaky?
On an inkjet, a missing or streaky color usually means a clogged nozzle or an empty cartridge for that color. Run the Printer Nozzle Check to see which channel is affected, then run your printer's head cleaning once or twice before replacing ink.