Image quality metrics for printers and media

The most common computer peripheral used in office applications is the non-impact printer. The resolution, performance, and cost of these devices have improved dramatically during the 1990's with output image quality emerging as a significant differentiator between competitive products. Just as printer manufacturers have become more aware of these developments, paper manufacturers have also begun to develop special purpose papers formulated to accept ink, wax or toner with Little or no substrate-induced image degradation or distortion. These and other developments have created increased demand from imaging R&D and manufacturing quality engineers for precise tools to evaluate image quality in a non-subjective and repeatable manner. Just as importantly, these tools must be able to perform measurements in a timely manner in order to keep pace with ever shortening product development cycles. This paper will present a series of specific metrics that can be used for quantifying printed image quality for printer and paper manufacturers. Specifically we will present a methodology for evaluating color registration, resolution, text quality, dot quality, line quality and other image quality attributes. In addition we will discuss methods by which manufacturers have achieved fully automated image quality testing and the benefits achieved by automated testing in the areas of process monitoring and production quality.