diff --git a/src/aare/common/autofocus_tools.py b/src/aare/common/autofocus_tools.py
index 66747022..6b60795a 100644
--- a/src/aare/common/autofocus_tools.py
+++ b/src/aare/common/autofocus_tools.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import cv2
 import numpy as np
 
-def focus_measure_edges(gray: np.ndarray, mask: np.ndarray | None = None) -> float:
+def focus_measure_edges(gray: np.ndarray, mask: np.ndarray | None = None, verbose: bool = False) -> float:
     # mild denoise (optional but usually stabilizes the curve)
     gray = cv2.GaussianBlur(gray, (3, 3), 0)
 
@@ -19,10 +19,10 @@ def focus_measure_edges(gray: np.ndarray, mask: np.ndarray | None = None) -> flo
 
     if strong.size == 0:
         return 0.0
-
-    print(f"mask pixels: {mask.sum()}, "
-          f"focus={strong.mean():.2f}"
-          f"strong_size={strong.size}")
+    if verbose:
+        print(f"mask pixels: {mask.sum()}, "
+              f"focus={strong.mean():.2f}"
+              f"strong_size={strong.size}")
 
     return float(strong.mean())  # higher = sharper