Automated Print Quality Analysis for Digital Printing Technologies

Automated print quality analysis systems are evolving to new levels of functionality, integration, and productivity and are becoming critical to the advancement of digital printing technology. As tools for communication within the industry, these systems can help to achieve a needed consensus on print quality standards and the procedures for quantifying them. In this paper we will describe in some detail the design of an automated print quality analysis system, discussing our design choices and the rationale behind them. The system analyzes prints on any media produced by any printing technology. To demonstrate a representative application of the system, we will present results of a case study in which automated print quality analysis was applied to inkjet printing. User requirements and key criteria for evaluating a system of this kind will also be discussed.