In Image Permanence Lab (Figure 4) printing samples are evaluated under several lightning conditions (incandescent, fluorescent, simulated sun light, etc), heat and climate conditions, simulating several types of conditions that a printed page can face depending on its user. With these tests it is possible to say the lifespan of a picture produced by a given printer. The neat thing about this lab is that their tests are made with several different photographic paper brands. But of course Lexmark team works to achieve a better durability with Lexmark paper. The perfect match is always using paper and ink from the same manufacturer (Lexmark printer with Lexmark paper, HP printer with HP paper and so on). The best durability for a Lexmark product is 200 years using Lexmark’s Premium Glossy Paper and Evercolor Photo ink cartridges (used on the new P4350 and X3350 printers).

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Figure 4: Image Permanence Lab.

Other labs measure the electromagnetic interference (after all we don’t like to create any interference with our printer nor suffer any); create futuristic designs (we saw prototypes for printers that would be released 30 years from now); test how different consumers react to the usability of Lexmark products; and even install and use products from competitor companies to check what Lexmark can do in order to improve their products.

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Figure 5: Electromagnetic Compatibility Lab.

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Figure 6: Prototype being sculpted in Lexmark Design Lab.

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Figure 7: Usability Test Lab.