CMYK Test Page
This test is built for CMYK-specific questions a general color test doesn't answer: how solid are your four process inks individually, what do two-ink overprints look like, how much darker is a rich black (C+M+Y+K) than a pure K black, and is your gray balance neutral when cyan, magenta and yellow are mixed in equal parts. If you work with print production, packaging proofs, or just want to verify CMYK output specifically, use this instead of the general Color Printer Test.
If the button doesn't work, press Ctrl+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+P (Mac) to open your browser's print dialog.
This is an on-screen preview. Your printer, paper, ink or toner level, and print driver settings all affect the final physical result.
How to use this printer test
- Set your print dialog to Color mode — this test is meaningless in grayscale.
- Choose your paper size above; the preview updates instantly.
- If your printer or driver supports it, disable any automatic color management/enhancement for this print so you see the raw CMYK output, not a color-corrected version.
- Print at 100% scale and inspect the page under consistent, neutral-white lighting — daylight bulbs or a north-facing window work well; warm indoor bulbs will skew your gray judgment.
What should the printed page look like?
Solid C/M/Y/K patches
Each of the four solid patches should be flat and fully saturated with no streaks, mottling, or lighter patches — this is the same baseline check as the general color test, but worth confirming first.
Two-ink overprints
C+M should read as a blue/violet, C+Y as green, M+Y as red, and C+M+Y as a very dark, slightly warm near-black ("registration black"). If an overprint looks noticeably off from these, one of the two inks involved is inaccurate or misregistered.
Rich black vs. pure black
The C+M+Y+K "rich black" patch should look visibly denser and darker than the K-only patch beside it. If they look identical, your printer may not be laying down the additional CMY under the black — check your driver's black generation/GCR settings.
CMY gray vs. K gray
The two gray patches should be close in lightness. A strong color cast (greenish, pinkish, or muddy) in the CMY-mixed gray patch compared to the neutral K gray indicates your CMY inks aren't balanced — common after a cartridge swap or with cheaper third-party ink.
Common printer problems
An overprint patch looks wrong (e.g. C+M looks purple instead of blue, or too pale)
Likely cause: One of the two contributing inks is running low, clogged, or has drifted in color.
How to fix it: Check the solid patch for that ink first — if it's also off, treat it as a single-ink problem (see our Nozzle Check and Color Printer Test) rather than an overprint-specific one.
Rich black and pure black look the same
Likely cause: Your print driver's black generation setting is using "Pure Black" / UCR (under color removal) rather than adding CMY under the K, or GCR is set very aggressively.
How to fix it: Look for a "Black Generation", "GCR", or "Rich Black" option in your printer driver's advanced/color settings and switch it, then reprint.
CMY gray has a visible color tint compared to K gray
Likely cause: Your cyan, magenta and yellow inks aren't balanced relative to each other — very common with refilled or third-party cartridges.
How to fix it: If this matters for your work (proofing, packaging), consider a color calibration/profile for your printer, or stick to original manufacturer ink for CMYK-sensitive jobs.
Frequently asked questions
What is a CMYK test page for?
It checks the four process printing inks (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) individually, in two-ink overprint combinations, and in gray-balance and rich-black comparisons — the specific checks print production and prepress work care about, beyond general color accuracy.
What's the difference between rich black and pure black?
Pure black uses only the K (black) ink. Rich black adds some cyan, magenta and yellow underneath the black to make it appear denser and deeper — commonly used for large black areas in print design. Too much CMY under black can cause registration and drying issues, so it's usually kept to specific ratios rather than 100% of each.
Why does my gray look muddy or tinted instead of neutral?
A neutral gray needs cyan, magenta and yellow mixed in the right proportions (not always exactly equal amounts, due to how inks absorb light). If your printer's inks are unbalanced — often from off-brand cartridges — the mix skews toward one color, usually a greenish or pinkish cast.
Is this the same as the Color Printer Test?
No — the Color Printer Test checks general color accuracy and photo-like tones. This CMYK test focuses specifically on the four process inks, their overprints, and black generation, which matters more for print production and packaging work.