How Epson Measures Inkjet Print Speeds

In 2009, the inkjet printer industry adopted a new international standard for measuring print speeds. This standard, known as ISO/IEC 24734, is the most reliable method to test print speeds of inkjet printers, all-in-one printers and lasers under standard conditions.

ISO Print Speeds

ISO/IEC 24734 International Standard

ISO print speeds, also known as ISO/IEC 24734 print speeds, give an "apples-to-apples" speed comparison across various models for all printer manufacturers using the same method of measurement. This allows consumers to gauge the true performance of printers, in order to accurately identify a product that will match their needs.

Methodology

Laser quality black and colour print speeds are determined in default print quality for both simplex and duplex printing modes in accordance with ISO/IEC 24734. Actual print times will vary based on system configurations, software version, and page complexity.

Test Patterns Used

A set of four pages are printed in various formats (Word^®, Excel^®, & Adobe^® Reader).

Word Document

Excel Document

PDF Document

Terms and Measurements

Office Category Test - Set of typical office documents used to measure print speeds.
FSOT (First Set Out Time) - Time taken to complete printing the first set (4 pages) of the documents in the print job in seconds.
EFTP (Effective Throughput) - Average print speed for the entire print job in IPM.
ESAT (Estimated Saturated Throughput) - The average print speed for the print job excluding the first set (4 pages) in IPM. This information is regularly communicated as the ISO Print Speed.
1 set test - Average print speed for one set of typical office documents.
1 set + 30 seconds test - Average print speeds for multiple set of documents (one set of typical documents plus 30 seconds).
1 set + 4 minutes test - Average print speed for multiple set of documents (one set of typical documents plus 4 minutes).
Simplex and Duplex - Simplex refers to single-sided printing. Duplex refers to automatic, two-sided printing. Epson reports duplex speed for models with automatic, two-sided printing.

Maximum Print/Copy Speeds

Methodology

Maximum pages/copies per minute (PPM/CPM) are measured after first page with text patterns in Draft Mode (or Economy Mode, depending on the printer/all-in-one) on plain paper. Actual print/copy times will vary based on system configuration, software, and page complexity.

Testing is conducted with the patterns depicted below in Microsoft^® Word, printed on A4 size plain paper. Tests are performed at least three times using at least three sample products. Tests do not measure processing time, which varies, depending on the computer configuration, image, software, and connectivity. Timing begins when the second page starts to feed into the product and continues for 60 seconds. Results are rounded down, but not rounded up.

Colour Photo Print Speeds

Colour photo printed on Premium Photo Paper Glossy measured from the start of paper feed to the end of the paper ejecting from printer. Actual print times will vary based on system configuration, software, and page complexity.

Testing is conducted with the image depicted below using Adobe^® Photoshop^® software on photo paper in the respective modes, unless otherwise specified. Tests are performed at least three times using at least three sample products. Tests do not measure processing time, which varies, depending on the computer configuration, image, software, and connectivity. Timing begins from commencement of paper feed until the photo ejects. Results are rounded down, but not rounded up.