ASTM_F_1423_-_09.pdf

Designation:F142309Standard Practice forDetermination of the Quality of Monochrome ImagesProduced from Non-Impact Personal Computer Printers1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1423;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This practice utilizes a standard test target that isintended for use as a means of comparing the graphic and textoutput quality from non-impact personal computer printers.The output may be from ink jet,thermal transfer,or electro-static imaging devices.1.2 This target can be used by the end-user as a means ofdetermining the suitability of a non-impact printer for use withcommercially available software and a predetermined applica-tion.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2F909 Terminology Relating to PrintersF1125 Terminology of Image Quality in Impact PrintingSystemsF1174 Practice for Using a Personal Computer Printer as aTest Instrument2.2 ASTM Adjunct:Image Quality Test Target for Non-Impact PC PrintingSystems33.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 hairlinethe thinnest line a particular printer willprint.3.1.2 jitterdeviation in a printed test pattern that is causedby:erratic rotation of the photoreceptor or erratic paper feeding(noticeable in the vertical plane);or erratic scanning oralignment,or both,of the imaging device(noticeable in thehorizontal plane).The imaging device can be either a laserdiode,ink-jet nozzle(s),or a thermal printhead.3.1.3 pointa typographical term describing the height of acharacter from top to bottom.One point equals approximately172in.3.1.4 stairsteppingthe tendency of a printer to produceangular or circular lines,or both,in a series of dots that,whenexamined closely,resemble stair steps.Ideally a printer shouldproduce angular or circular lines,or both,with a smooth,unnoticeable transition from dot to dot.3.2 See Terminologies F909 and F1125 for additional defi-nitions related to this practice.4.Significance and Use4.1 This test target can be used for control or evaluation ofthe graphic and text output of imaging products or as a researchand development tool.4.2 This test target can be produced by most non-impactpersonal computer printers.5.Interferences5.1 This test target was generated using commerciallyavailable software.Consequently,the quality of the printed testtarget may not be indicative of the absolute resolution or imagequality,or both,that a printer may produce(direct programingof the printer may produce the best results).5.2 Paper supplies can be purchased from several sourcesand can affect the image quality of a given system.The usershould use only the grade and basis weight of paper recom-mended by the printer manufacturer when evaluating imagequality.All paper supplies should be from the same source andproduction lot.Some inherent variability within the paper mayaffect image quality evaluations as will certain unintentional1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F05 on BusinessImaging Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F05.04 onElectrostatic Imaging Products.Current edition approved Feb.1,2009.Published February 2009.Originallyapproved in 1997.Last previous edition approved in 2008 as F1423 97(2008).DOI:10.1520/F1423-09.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3Available from ASTM International Headquarters.Order Adjunct No.ADJF1423.Original adjunct produced in 1992.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 paper defects.Some variability may be encountered from oneream of paper to the next or sometimes encountered within aream.6.Apparatus Required to Produce Test Target6.1 Computer with one of the following operating systems:Windows 98,2000,NT,Me,XP,Vista,Server 2003 or MACOS9.x/X version 10.2+.6.2 Printer Interface using one of the following types:serial,parallel,USB,10/100BaseTX Ethernet,Coax/Twinax.6.3 Test Targets are available from ASTM or from ISO.6.4 Print Drivers can have an effect on image quality and asuitable or consistent print driver is recommended.The printdriver and version should be included with test data.6.5 Magnifier or Optical Comparator,the power of which isjudged acceptable by the evaluator.6.6 Paper,recommendedforusebytheprintermanufacturer,paper in common use in the fa