Black and white test page.
Print this pure-black sheet to check your black ink or toner — solid fill, halftones, tiny text and hairlines all on one page.
How to read the results
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| The solid black block looks gray or patchy | Low toner or ink, or a nozzle/drum issue — replace the cartridge or run a cleaning cycle. |
| Fine text below ~8pt is blurred or filled in | The printer can’t resolve small type — clean the head, use plain paper or raise the print quality. |
| Horizontal streaks or gaps cross the block | Clogged nozzles (inkjet) or a dirty, failing drum or fuser (laser); clean, then reprint. |
| The thinnest lines vanish or look ragged | A resolution or alignment limit — try a higher DPI setting and run head alignment. |
| Everything prints crisp and evenly black | Your black channel is healthy; no action needed. |
Frequently asked questions
How do I test my printer’s black ink?
Print this black and white test page at 100% scale and look at the solid block, halftones and small text. A clean, even black with sharp text means the channel is healthy; gray, streaky or blurred output points to low ink/toner or clogged nozzles.
Why does my black print look gray or faded?
Usually low toner or ink, an economy/toner-save mode, or clogged inkjet nozzles. Check the level, turn off draft mode and run a cleaning cycle, then reprint. Laser prints can also fade from a worn drum.
What is a halftone and why test it?
A halftone renders gray with tiny black dots of varying size. The 75/50/25% blocks reveal uneven tone, banding and dot gain, so you can see whether mid-grays print smoothly.
What does the toner-save preview do?
It dims the sheet on screen to about half density so you can preview how a draft or toner-save print will look. It doesn’t change your printer — pick that mode in the print dialog to actually save toner.
Is this black and white test page free?
Yes — it is free, needs no download or sign-up, and works on any inkjet or laser printer. Use it any time to check black ink, toner and text sharpness.
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