Color printer test page.
Print this sheet to see every color your inkjet or laser makes — and spot fading, casts or a clogged ink channel at a glance.
How to read the results
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| One color bar prints pale, streaky or missing | That ink channel is low or the nozzles are partly clogged — run a nozzle check and clean the head. |
| A gradient shows hard steps instead of a smooth fade | Banding from low ink, a draft/economy driver setting or a head that needs aligning. |
| Skin tones look orange, green or lifeless | A color cast, usually from an unbalanced or near-empty cartridge; replace or recalibrate it. |
| The cyan and magenta crosses do not line up | The printhead is misaligned — run your printer’s alignment routine and reprint. |
| Colors are accurate but a little dull overall | Normal on plain paper; switch to photo/best mode and coated paper for vivid output. |
Frequently asked questions
How do I print a color test page?
Click “Print this test page” (or press P), choose your printer and make sure Color is selected, then print at 100% scale. For the truest colors, pick the best or photo quality mode in the print dialog.
Why do my printed colors look different from the screen?
Screens mix light (RGB) while printers mix ink (CMYK), so some on-screen colors can’t be reproduced exactly. Paper type, ink age and driver settings shift the result too. Small differences are normal; a strong cast points to an ink or calibration problem.
What does a color test page check?
It packs solid ink bars, gradients, a color wheel and memory colors into one sheet so you can judge saturation, smoothness and color balance at once. It quickly reveals a low or clogged channel, banding and misalignment.
One color is missing from my printout — what’s wrong?
Usually a clogged nozzle or an empty cartridge for that channel. Run a nozzle check, then a head clean, and reprint. If it persists, replace or refill that ink.
Is this color test page free?
Yes — it is completely free, needs no download or sign-up, and works with any inkjet or laser printer. Print it as often as you like to track color quality over time.
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