The SpencerLab Digital Color Laboratory has announced release of Version 4 of the SpencerLab Printer Test Suite

Assisted by over a dozen key industry sponsors, SpencerLab has applied its expertise in testing of Throughput Speed Performance and Cost-per-Print as well as Print Quality, to develop an expanded suite of standard test documents. For the first time, users and vendors have a precision tool to allow real-world ‘apples-to-apples’ comparisons.

The SpencerLab Printer Test Suite, consisting of over 50 test files (in over 180 adaptations, printing about 400 pages), covers the full breadth of markets, including photographic, consumer, office, enterprise, commercial, graphic, and large format markets - and works in Mac OS as well as Windows environments. Files include monochrome and color; CMYK and RGB; PostScript, PDF, and applications. Output sizes range from 4x6 and 8x10 through A, A4, B, A3, and large format, for domestic U.S. and international markets.

Since its 1990 introduction, the prior CHQF Test Files had become generally accepted as a de facto standard to facilitate the evaluation of Print Quality. This success also made it clear that the need had become acute for a broader standard to identify continuing innovation in improving Throughput Speed Performance and Cost-per-Print. Test files in the SpencerLab Printer Test Suite complement recent and forthcoming ISO-IEC standards (SpencerLab has been a continuing participant in their development).

‘We are extremely proud of this product launch. It is the culmination of years of development, with feedback and input from top color experts in the industry,’ said Catherine Fiasconaro, SpencerLab Operations VP and Director of the Laboratory. ‘Our technical team’s diligent efforts have resulted in an innovative and reliable test tool. This software has been thoroughly tested in real-world applications, both in our own Lab and by many of our sponsors - and is currently in use by major printer manufacturers and testing publications. With the public release, it’s now a viable tool for a variety of users, including manufacturers, resellers, and consumers as a one-of-a-kind test device.’