Multi-channel selectable primer to improve overall image quality for pigmented ink-jet printing

A system, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising one or more programming instructions that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
• identify at least one area in an electronic document for which one or more primers are to be applied prior to an application of ink on a sheet of media during a print job, wherein the primers are formulated to have different surface tensions;
• determine, for each pixel in the at least one area, an amount of each of the one or more primers that is to be applied based on a characteristic of content in the electronic document;
• generate the print job using the amount of each of the one or more primers determined for each said pixel in the at least one area;
• and
• instruct a printer to perform the print job.

A method for operating a printing system, comprising:

• identifying, by a processor, at least one two areas in an electronic document for which at least one primer is applied prior to an application of ink on a sheet of media during a print job, wherein the at least one primer is formulated to have a surface tension;
• determining, for each of the at least one two areas, a different amount of the at least one primer that is to be applied based on a characteristic of content in the electronic document;
• generating the print job using the amount of the at least one primer determined for each in the at least one area;
• and
• instructing a printer to perform the print job.