Black & White Printer Test
Print a black and white test page to check black density, text sharpness, grayscale and fine-line quality.
Preview
Black and white test sheet
What you see below is exactly what prints: eight labeled sections on a single page.
1 Black coverage & density
Check whether each black area is even and free of streaks or gaps.
2 Text sharpness
Black text 24 pt
Black text 18 pt
Black text 14 pt
Black text 12 pt
Black text 10 pt
Black text 8 pt
Black text 6 pt
Black text 24 pt
Black text 18 pt
Black text 14 pt
Black text 12 pt
Black text 10 pt
Black text 8 pt
Black text 6 pt
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
0123456789
3 Reverse text
BLACK OUTPUT TEST
BLACK OUTPUT TEST
4 Grayscale steps
Each step should remain visibly distinct. Watch for merged tones or uneven transitions.
5 Smooth gradient
Look for smooth transitions without visible bands or abrupt jumps.
6 Fine lines
Thinner lines may become lighter or disappear depending on printer resolution and settings.
7 Alignment grid
Check whether the grid remains straight and the crosshair appears centered.
8 Repeating pattern
Check for missing dots, broken pattern areas or uneven reproduction.
Recommended next test
Confirm overall quality with a full-page check.
Faded black is worth checking against density settings.
Streaks and gaps often point to blocked nozzles.
Blurry edges are worth checking with an alignment page.
Missing strokes are a possible nozzle or density issue.
Merging steps are worth checking for tonal separation.
Banding is worth checking against tonal smoothness.
Broken lines are worth checking for blocked nozzles.
Skew is worth checking with paper loading and alignment.
Coverage
What this test checks
| Pattern | Check for |
|---|---|
| Solid black | Density and even coverage |
| Text | Sharpness and missing strokes |
| Reverse text | Edge definition |
| Gray steps | Tonal separation |
| Gradient | Banding |
| Fine lines | Continuity |
| Grid | Obvious alignment/skew |
| Repeating pattern | Fine-detail consistency |
Inkjet vs laser:
Inkjet: repeated missing segments or gaps can be worth investigating with a nozzle test.
Laser: repeated marks, uneven density or poor text edges can have several possible causes involving toner, imaging components, fuser operation, paper or print settings.
Do not diagnose a specific component from this test alone.
Important:
This is a visual print-quality test. It cannot read ink or toner levels, inspect printer hardware, or identify a failed component. Printer settings, paper, driver processing and printer technology can affect the result.
Process
How to use
Load clean white paper
Use plain paper without creases or previous prints.
Select A4 or Letter
Pick the size loaded in your printer above.
Print at 100% / Actual Size
Avoid browser scaling for line and grid checks.
Use black-only mode when available
This helps isolate black output from color printing.
Inspect the printed patterns
Look for fading, streaks, blur and broken lines.
Select the symptom you see
Tick what you see to continue testing.
What is a black and white printer test?
A black and white printer test prints solid black, sharp text, reverse text, gray steps, a smooth gradient, fine lines, a grid and repeating patterns on a single page. Comparing each section on paper makes it easy to spot fading, streaks, blur, banding and broken detail before running a specialized test.
FAQ
Black and white test questions
How do I test black and white printing?
Print this page at 100% and check the density block, text sizes, gray steps and fine lines for even output.
Why does black look faded or gray?
Faded black can have several causes, including low ink or toner, draft or economy settings, paper selection, or uneven output. Check your printer's ink/toner status and print settings before assuming a hardware problem.
Why is black text blurry?
Blurry text can have several causes, including alignment, print settings, paper or uneven output. Try the Print Quality Test next; use the Printer Alignment Test if the text or lines also appear doubled or shifted.
How do I check grayscale steps?
Each step from 0% to 100% should stay distinct. Merging steps are worth checking for tonal separation.
Why do fine lines break up?
Broken or missing fine lines can result from printer resolution, print settings, paper, uneven output or, on inkjet printers, nozzle problems. Run the Print Quality Test first; use the Printer Nozzle Test if you have an inkjet printer and see repeated missing segments.
What is reverse text used for?
White text on solid black exposes edge clarity and shows whether large black areas print evenly.
Can this test unclog my printer?
No. This page only checks printed output. If an inkjet nozzle test shows repeated missing segments, you can use your printer's built-in cleaning cycle according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Does this work with inkjet and laser printers?
Yes. Anything that prints normal black and white browser pages works, including inkjet and laser printers.
Full size · A4