The character yield of a ribbon is affected by many factors including the printer/typewriter design and ribbon cartridge design. The end user may wish to evaluate these different machine and ribbon designs to determine the estimated cost of various systems over the anticipated useful life of the equipment. For example, the lowest cost machine may not be the most economical system when the cost per character (cost of supplies) is factored in as part of its total life time cost.

1. Scope

1.1 This practice covers the description and method of use of a test pattern for evaluating character yield of a single-pass typewriter or printer ribbon cartridge under continuous printing conditions.

1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

F497 Practice for Use of the Electric and Electronic Typewriter as a Test Instrument

F909 Terminology Relating to Printers

F1125 Terminology of Image Quality in Impact Printing Systems

F1174 Practice for Using a Personal Computer Printer as a Test Instrument

F1175 Practice for Using the Computer Impact Print-Out Unit as a Test Instrument for Manifold Comparison

F1206 Test Method for Evaluating Color Image Output from Color Printers and Copiers

Keywords

character count; character life; character measurement; film ribbons; test pattern; typewriter ribbons; Characteristics/characterization--copy products; Inked ribbons; Single pass film ribbons; Testing methods; Test performance data; Typewriter materials/applications;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 35.260 (Office machines)

Citing ASTM Standards

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