Print controller for controlling ink jet printer

A method for generating dot data, which specifies a dot formation state and which is to be provided to a printing unit, the printing unit being configured to execute, based on the dot data, dot-forming operations to form dots in dot rows extending in a prescribed direction by moving a print head in the prescribed direction while ejecting ink droplets from nozzles in the print head and to print an image by repeatedly executing the dot-forming operation to form a plurality of dot rows juxtaposed in a direction orthogonal to the prescribed direction, the method comprising:

• determining a printing width value corresponding to a working distance of the print head in the prescribed direction;
• generating density data specifying ink densities related to the quantity of ink for each pixel based on image data specifying a gradation value for each pixel and based on the printing width value so that an upper limit on a tolerable ink density per pixel grows smaller as the working distance of the print head in the prescribed direction corresponding to the printing width value grows shorter;
• and
• generating dot data by executing a halftone process on the density data.

A computer readable storage medium storing a set of program instructions for generating dot data, which specifies a dot formation state and which is to be provided to a printing unit, the printing unit being configured to execute, based on the dot data, dot-forming operations to form dots in dot rows extending in a prescribed direction by moving a print head in the prescribed direction while ejecting ink droplets from nozzles in the print head and to print an image by repeatedly executing the dot-forming operation to form a plurality of dot rows juxtaposed in a direction orthogonal to the prescribed direction, the instructions comprising:

• determining a printing width value corresponding to a working distance of the print head in the prescribed direction;
• generating density data specifying ink densities related to the quantity of ink for each pixel based on image data specifying a gradation value for each pixel and based on the printing width value so that an upper limit on a tolerable ink density per pixel grows smaller as the working distance of the print head in the prescribed direction corresponding to the printing width value grows shorter;
• and
• generating dot data by executing a halftone process on the density data.