ISO/IEC 11160-1:1996

Information technology - Office equipment - Minimum information to be included in specification sheets - Printers - Part 1: Class 1 and Class 2 printers

Specifies the minimum information that shall be included in the specification sheets of printers enabling users to compare the characteristics of different machines and select a suitable printer. Applies to Class 3 and Class 4 printers according annex B for an office environment.

Technologies de l'information — Équipements de bureau — Information minimale devant figurer dans les notices techniques — Imprimantes — Partie 1: Imprimantes classe 1 et classe 2

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-1996
• ICS: 35.180 - IT Terminal and other peripheral equipment
• Technical Committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 28 - Office equipment
• Drafting Committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 28 - Office equipment
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Start Date: 29-Jul-2008
• Completion Date: 30-Oct-2025

Overview

ISO/IEC 11160-1:1996 establishes the minimum information that must appear on specification sheets for Class 1 and Class 2 printers used in office environments. Its purpose is to make printer specs comparable so users can select equipment that meets operational needs. The standard defines required parameters, testing and measurement conditions, and conformance rules; Annex A classifies Class 1/2 printers, while Annex B (informative) covers Class 3/4.

Key topics and technical requirements

The standard requires specification sheets to list, in a prescribed order, relevant parameters from Table 1. Major topic areas include:

• General data

  • Printer class, model name/number, type (desktop, floor-standing), printing method (ink-jet, thermal, dot matrix, etc.), dot density and colour capabilities.

• Performance data

  • Printer throughput (pages per hour) per ISO/IEC 10561, recommended monthly print volume.

• Control and interfaces

  • Hardware interfaces (Centronics, RS-232, etc.), control protocols, printer languages, memory and buffer sizes.

• Printing features

  • Printable margins, image orientation, support for portrait/landscape, font capabilities and downloadable fonts (ISO 9541 references).

• Output material & paper handling

  • Supported paper types, sizes (ISO 216/A4 default), continuous forms, envelopes, multipart forms, feed devices and capacities.

• Physical & environmental

  • Dimensions, operating and maintenance space, weight, operating temperature and relative humidity ranges.

• Power & energy

  • Rated voltage/frequency, current, maximum power, and average power consumption in operating, standby and power-saver modes (measured over steady-state periods).

• Safety, EMC & emissions

  • Applicable safety regulations (IEC 950), electromagnetic compatibility compliance, acoustical noise (ISO 7779/9296), and heat emission estimates.

• Consumables & accessories

  • List of consumable items, optional equipment that changes functionality, and accessory items.

• Test conditions

  • Default measurement conditions: temperature 18–25 °C, relative humidity 30–70%, A4 paper (60–90 g/m²) unless otherwise stated.

Applications and users

Who benefits from ISO/IEC 11160-1:

• Printer manufacturers - to prepare compliant, consistent specification sheets.
• Procurement teams / IT managers - to compare products objectively for office purchase decisions.
• Resellers and distributors - to present standardized product data.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies - to verify declared values and conformance.
• Standards authors and technical writers - for harmonized documentation of office equipment.

Related standards

Relevant referenced standards include ISO 10561 (printer throughput), ISO 7779/9296 (acoustics), IEC 950 (safety), ISO 216 (paper sizes), ISO 9541 (font support), and others cited in the normative references.

Keywords: ISO/IEC 11160-1, printer specification sheet, office printers, printer classification, printer throughput, paper handling, acoustic emissions, EMC, power consumption.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO/IEC
STANDARD 11160-1
First edition
1996-08-01
Information technology - Office
equipment - Minimum information to be
included in specification sheets -
Printers -
Part 1:
Class 1 and Class 2 printers
Technologies de /‘information - gquipements de bureau - Information
minima/e devant figurer dans /es notices techniques - lmprimantes -
Partie 7: lmpriman tes classe 7 et classe 2
Reference number
ISO/lEC II 160-I :I 996(E)
ISOAEC 11160~I:1996 (E)
Contents
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Conformance
4 Test and measurement conditions
5 Information to be included in the specification sheets
Annex A - Classification of printers - Class 1 and Class 2
Annex B 13
- Classification of printers - Class 3 and Class 4
Annex C - Bibliography
0 ISO/IEC 1996
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized
in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm,
without permission in writing from the publisher.
ISO/IEC Copyright Office * Case Postale 56 * CH-1211 Geneve 20 * Switzerland
Printed in Switzerland
@ISO/IEC lSO/iEC 11160~1:1996 (E)
Foreword
IS0 (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrical Commission) form the
specialised system for worldwide standardisation. National Bodies that are members of IS0 or IEC participate in the
development of International Standards through technical committees established by the respective organisation to
deal with particular fields of mutual interest. Other international organisations, governmental and non-governmental,
in liaison with IS0 and IEC, also take part to the work.
In the field of information technology, IS0 and IEC have established a joint technical committee ISO/IEC JTCl.
Draft International Standards adopted by the joint technical committee are circulated to national bodies for voting.
Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75% of the national bodies casting a vote.
International Standard ISO/IEC 11160-1, was prepared by Joint Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTCI , Mormation
technology, Subcommittee SC28, Office equipment.
ISO/IEC 1160 consists of the following parts, under the general title information technology - Office equipment -
Minimum information to be included in specification sheets - Printers:
- Part I: Class I and Class 2 printers
- Part 2: Class 3 and Class 4 printers
Annex A forms an integral part of this part of ISO/IEC 11160. Annexes B and C are for information only.

lSO/lEC 11160~I:1996 (E) 0 ISOAEC
Introduction
Printers of many different types and capacities are now available and their specifications vary so widely that it is
difficult for potential users to assess which machine might best meet their requirements.
IV
lSO/lEC 11160~1:1996 (E)
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD @ISO/IEC
Minimum information to be included in
Information technology - Office equipment -
specification sheets - Printers -
Part 1: Class 1 and Class 2 printers
Scope
This part of ISO/lEC 11160 specifies the minimum information that is to be included in the specification sheets of
printers so that users may compare the characteristics of different machines and select a printer which meets their
requirements.
it applies to printers that could be operated in an office environment. Printers requiring specially equipped rooms or
specially instructed operators are not within the scope of this part of ISO/IEC 11160.
ISO/IEC 11160 will cover different classes of printers This part covers Class 1 and Class 2 printers, as defined in
annex A.
Normative references
The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this part of
ISO/IEC 11160. At the time of publication, the editions indicated were valid. All standards are subject to revision,
and parties to agreements based on this part of ISO/IEC 11160 are encouraged to investigate the possibility of
applying the most recent editions of the standards indicated below. Members of IEC and IS0 maintain registers of
currently valid International Standards.
IS0 216:1975 ‘) , Writing paper and certain classes of printed matter - Trimmed sizes - A and B series.
Correspondence envelopes - Designation and sizes.
IS0 269: 1985,
IS0 7779:1988 ‘) , Acoustics - Measurement of airborne noise emitted by computer and business
equipment.
IS0 9295: 1988, Acoustics - Measurement of high-frequency noise emitted by computer and business
equipment.
IS0 9296: 1988, Acoustics - Declared noise emission values of computer and business equipment.
ISO/IEC 10561 :I991 ‘) , Information technology - Printing devices - Method for measuring printer throughput.
IEC 950:1991, Safety of information technology equipment, including electrical business equipment.
3 Conformance
In order to comply with this part of lSO/IEC 11160, specification sheets shall contain, in the order shown, all items
listed in clause 5 which are relevant to the machine being described.
4 Test and measurement conditions
Unless otherwise specified, all tests and measurements shall be conducted at the following conditions:
- Temperature: 18”Cto25”C
- Relative humidity:
30 % to 70 %
- Line voltage: rated input voltage
- Line frequency: rated frequency
- Paper size: A4
-
Paper weight: 60 g/m2 to 90 g/m2
- Paper transport direction: standard direction
‘) Currently under revision
lSO/lEC 11160-1: 1996 (E) OISO/IEC
- Test pattern: as specified
Instead of A4 paper size, the size most commonly used in the country may be used, both for the test page and the
copies. This shall be indicated in the specification sheet.
When weight of paper (g/m2) is given, it is assumed that the paper has been conditioned in the standard
+ 2 OC; relative humidity 60 % to 70 %).
atmosphere defined in IS0 3066 (temperature 20 OC -
5 Information to be included in the specification sheets
Table 1 defines, for each parameter, the number and name of the parameter and a short description of the entry.
These constitute the information to be included in the specification sheet.
The heading of the specification sheet shall indicate that it has been prepared in accordance with this part of
ISO/IEC 11160. The numbers and headings of table 1 shall be used. Parameters which are not applicable may be
ignored; the number of the other parameters shall remain unchanged.
The “Remarks and examples” column is provided to help prepare the information sheet, and is not intended to
appear in the specification sheet. It is intended to be informative. Test methods to be applied, when not defined in
other International Standards, are defined in this column.
Whenever a capacity is given in sheets, the reference paper weight shall be specified.
Table 1 - Information to be included
Description of the entry Remarks and examples
Parameter
1 General data
See annex A for description
1.1 Printer class Class 1 or Class 2 printer.
of classes.
1.2 Machine name, model Product name, model
number.
and/or model number
I I
1.3 Type State if the machine is desk-
top, portable or floor-
standing.
1.4 Printing method The printing process used. Non-impact: ink-jet, thermal
transfer.
Impact: daisy wheel, dot
matrix.
Horizontal and vertical dots Note that the theoretical
1.5 Dot density
writing resolution and the
per 25,4 mm. The design
capability of the machine to actual printing resolution
place the dots. may be different. If the dot
positioning capability is
adjustable, indicate the
minimum and maximum
capabilities.
1.6 Colour printing
II
Specify which colour.
1.6.1 Monochrome
II
OISO/IEC lSO/lEC 11160-1: 1996 (E)
Table 1 (cont’d)
Description of the entry Remarks and examples
Parameter
1.6.2 Multi-colour Available/not available. Also known as functional
colour, spot colour, highlight
or accent colour. State the
number of discrete colours
that can be printed by
colorants residing in the
machine.
1.6.3 Full colour Available/not available. The full colour is often
described as YELLOW,
MAGENTA, CYAN or YELLOW,
MAGENTA, CYAN, BLACK.
State if the machine can
print full colour, continues
tone, half-tone or both.
Applicable to class 2
printers only
1.6.4 Colour transparencies Available/not available. Indicate if the colour can be
projected.
2 Performance data
Monochrome pages per Specify if monochrome,
2.1 Printer throughput
hour (PPH) according to IS0 colour or both rates are
10561, colour pages per listed.
hour.
2.2 Recommended monthly Manufacturers For the determination of this
recommended range of use: parameter, the month is
print volume
number of pages per month. considered consisting of 20
days of 8 hours each.
3 Control
3.1 Interface for hardware State the hardware Centronics, RS232, others,
connector used.
connection
Identify communication XON/XOFF.
3.2 Interface for connection
control protocols.
Identify printer control IS0 10180, IS0 6429,
3.3 Interface for printer control
IS0 646.
languages, including
version.
OISO/IEC
lSO/iEC 11160-l : 1996 (E)
Table 1 (cont’d)
Remarks and examples
Description of the entry
Parameter
3.3 Memory
Size in kilobytes.
3.3.1 Input buffer
Size in kilobytes. Optional memory that can
3.3.2 Font memory
be added to support
additional fonts or font
processing.
4 Printing features
Area in which printing is not
In millimetres, from the top,
4.1 Printing margins
possible.(This area is given
bottom, left and right edges
of the paper. on the condition that the
print paper is fed through its
ideal position).
If the printing margins vary
with paper sizes, this
situation should be
described.
The capability of the printer
Portrait and/or landscape.
4.2 Printed image orientation
to print in portrait and
landscape orientation
without changing the paper
feed direction.
The capabilities of the basic
Specify external cartridges
5 Fonts and character sets
or downloadable fonts machine and the capabilities
applicable to this class of that can be added by
additional print elements
printers.
(external cartridges,
external print elements,
downloaded fonts) shall be
clearly identified.
Indicate types of fonts
List character sets and fonts
5.1 Basic capability
supplied with the printer in (Times, Helvetica, OCR-A
(IS0 1073-l), OCR-B (IS0
basic configuration.
1073-2), others); supported
orientation of fonts (portrait,
landscape); support for bit-
mapped and scaleable fonts
per IS0 9541.
lSO/lEC 11160-l : 1996 (E)
OISO/IEC
Table 1 (cont’d)
Parameter Description of the entry Remarks and examples
List optional character sets Indicate additional types of
5.2 Optional capability
and fonts available from fonts (Times, Helvetica,
suppliers. OCR-A (IS0 1073-l), OCR-
B (IS0 1073-2) others);
supported orientation of
fonts (portrait, landscape);
support for bit-mapped and
scaleable fonts per IS0
9541.
Obtained via external
cartridges, downloaded
fonts, etc.
5.3 Coded character set List the number of the IS0 6937, IS0 10646, IS0
International Standard or the 8859 I-IO, ISO/IEC 10367.
registration number.
5.4 Character set List character sets or glyph IS0 10036.
collections available.
5.5 Rendition appearance Indicate which. Normal, italic, bold, bold
italic.
5.6 Inter-character spacing Indicate character spacing Fixed pitch (10 characters
method and maximum and per 254 mm), proportional
minimum spacing. spacing.
5.7 Inter-line spacing Indicate line spacing method Fixed spacing (6,8 lines per
and maximum and minimum 25,4 mm), proportional
spacing. spacing.
6 Output material
Plain, coated, thermal
6.1 Paper type
paper.
The manufacturer shall
specify for which
characteristics of the paper,
other than normal paper,
normal warranted
performance can be assured.
6.2 Special material The manufacturer shall
specify the printing materials
that can be processed,
possibly with degraded
performances, e.g.
Transparent sheets, labels,
envelopes and recycled
paper.
lSO/lEC 11160-l : 1996 (E) OISO/IEC
Table 1 (cont’d)
Parameter Description of the entry Remarks and examples
Available/not available. 1 + n. Indicate the maximum
6.3 Multi-part forms
number of copies (n) and
carbons (if applicable). Also
indicate the maximum
weight of all parts (1 +n).
Indicate if the print head
force is adjustable.
6.4 Paper size State the minimum and
maximum width and the
minimum and maximum
length of the paper. This
indication can be given
either in millimetres or by
quoting standard paper
sizes.
6.4.1 Paper in sheets Available/not available. A sizes (IS0 216), B sizes
Standard name and/or sizes (IS0 216) North American
of paper in millimetres. sizes.
6.4.2 Paper in continuous Available/not available. Indicate if length is manually
Width, maximum and pre-selectable (maximum
forms (roll or fanfold)
and minimum); and if the
minimum in millimetres;
length in meters; diameter paper is cut automatically.
of the roll, in millimetres.
6.4.3 Envelopes State minimum and Sizes according to IS0 269.
maximum sizes of
envelopes that can be
printed.
Specify if for sheet or roll.
6.5 Paper weight Minimum and maximum in
.
g/m
7 Paper handling
Manual, cassette, tray. Indicate which are standard
7.1 Paper supply device
and which are optional.
7.2 Paper supply capacity For roll paper supply:
diameter of the roll.
For cut sheets paper supply:
number of sheets for each
paper supply device.
@ISO/IEC ISOnEC 11160-l : 1996 (E)
Table 1 (cont’d)
Parameter Description of the entry Remarks and examples
1.3 Paper feed orientation Long edge feed or short Indicate the paper size.
edge feed.
3 Output handling Indicate any special
function.
9 Phys
...