Editorial Policy

This policy describes how PrintReview makes editorial decisions, how we conduct our testing, and the standards we hold ourselves to as an independent publication.

Independence Principle

PrintReview operates independently of all printer manufacturers, retailers, and related commercial interests. We do not receive payment from manufacturers for reviews, coverage, or placement. We do not accept seeded review units, press trips, sponsored content, or any other form of manufacturer compensation.

Our editorial team makes all decisions about what to review, how to rate products, and what to publish without input from commercial partners. No advertiser, affiliate partner, or manufacturer has ever reviewed our content before publication, and none ever will.

How We Select Products to Review

Products are selected for review based on reader interest, market significance, price tier coverage, and editorial judgment. We prioritise models that represent meaningful purchasing decisions for our readers. We do not review products in exchange for payment or free product samples.

When we cannot purchase a unit immediately (due to availability or cost), we may delay a review rather than publish based on manufacturer-provided test data.

Our Testing Methodology

Minimum test period. Every printer we review is used for a minimum of four weeks before we publish a verdict. Short-term reviews of press-day impressions are not our practice.

Page volume. We print a minimum of 500 pages per review across a standardised mix of content: monochrome text documents (40%), colour documents (30%), mixed-content pages (20%), and photos on appropriate paper (10%).

Cost calculation. We calculate per-page costs using current retail pricing for the standard cartridges or ink bottles sold for the tested printer, measured at the time of review. We note the date of our cost calculations so readers can update them with current pricing.

Speed measurement. We time actual print jobs independently rather than relying on manufacturer specifications. We note both our measured times and the manufacturer's claimed speeds.

Retail purchase. Test units are purchased at full retail price from major US retailers. We do not accept manufacturer loans, samples, or discount codes.

Scoring System

We rate printers on a 10-point scale across seven categories: print quality (text), print quality (photos), running costs, speed, software and connectivity, build quality, and value. The overall score is a weighted average that gives greater weight to print quality and running costs, which we consider the most important factors for most buyers.

Scores are not curved to a distribution. A genuinely good year for printers might produce many high scores; a weak category might produce few. We do not artificially vary scores to maintain a bell curve.

Corrections

We correct factual errors promptly. When we issue a correction, we note it at the bottom of the relevant article with the date of correction. We do not silently edit articles after publication for any reason other than minor typographical fixes. Substantive changes are always noted.

To report an error, email editorial@printreview.atozservices.store.

Conflicts of Interest

Editorial team members disclose any personal relationships, financial interests, or other potential conflicts related to products they review. If a conflict cannot be adequately managed, a different team member handles the review. Our affiliate program creates an identical financial relationship with all products we link to, which we consider a structural safeguard against brand-specific bias.

Sponsored Content

PrintReview does not publish sponsored content, advertorials, or any content where the editorial position has been influenced by payment. If we ever change this policy, sponsored content will be clearly and prominently labelled. As of the date of this policy, we have never published sponsored content.