Most demonstration pages will include rows of text at varying sizes, which can show different types of flaws. At the smallest font sizes, the individual letters should be legible and fully formed with no breaks, and they should not bleed into one another. Medium-size fonts should be crisp with no fuzzy edges. And the largest fonts, especially bold ones, should be filled in with a solid, even black--not a muddy bluish or brownish tone.

The printer demonstration should print several geometric shapes of different sizes and shading. The outlines should be crisp with smooth curves; inside areas of solid black should appear dense and evenly shaded. Also look for areas where an image goes from dark to light (a gradient). Is it a smooth transition, or can you see distinct bands progressing from darker to lighter?

When you are evaluating an inkjet or a color laser printer, there's no real way to tell how accurately it reproduces colors, but by comparing print samples from different models side by side, you can at least get an idea of whether the colors look good, based on your personal preferences. As in black-and-white graphics, large blocks of color should appear solid and even, rather than muddy. Some printers try to dazzle the eye with overly saturated colors; others skimp on ink, leaving images that appear washed out. Look for a nice, natural-looking balance between the two.

A photo inkjet or snapshot printer is in a whole separate category in terms of image quality. Though it sounds simple, the main thing to look for is a printer that produces images that appeal to you--some like bright, saturated images; others prefer more realistic scenes. Some enjoy warm (red-yellow) tones; others want a cooler, bluish cast. When you hold images from different printers side by side, these traits become obvious to the naked eye. There are, however, some objective qualities to look for, as well. For example, areas with high levels of detail, such as hair, should be sharp, and skin tones should look realistic.