Development of Scanner-Based Image Analysis Protocols for Assessment of Ink Jet Print Quality and Toner Adhesion, 2000 International Printing & Graphic Arts Conference Proceedings

Lesley J. Barker, Gina M. Garro, Cheryn A. Kwasnik, Kate Johnson--Image analysis tools have been developed which can be customized to meet individual requirements for assessment of various paper-dependent print quality attributes. For this work, protocols were designed to measure ink-jet print targets and toner crease test sheets, using a scanner to acquire the image regions of interest. Features such as line width and edge raggedness were measured by capturing small image areas at relatively high resolution using a flatbed scanner and incorporating a dynamic locator routine to avoid placement errors of measured elements. Other quality control protocols were also incorporated. The scanner was also used for capturing the lower resolution images necessary for the assessment of toner adhesion and print mottle.

Both high resolution and low resolution images were captured and analyzed using ImageXpert TM , an image analysis system. The resulting data were assessed by statistical methods and used to compare performance of paper manufactured with different dosage levels of internal and surface treatments. Response surface contours were used to help predict and optimize ink-jet print quality and toner adhesion performance.