Color ink-jet printing with fast-and-slow-drying inks

An ink jet printer for printing a multicolor image on a sheet movable along a sheet path in a process direction, the ink jet printer comprising:

• a. a first full-width array printhead mounted at a first location along the sheet path and containing a first type black ink for printing a first portion of the image on the sheet, said first type black ink having a surface tension greater than 40 dynes/cm at room temperature;
• and
• b. a set of secondary printheads mounted along the sheet path and separated a small gap from said first full-width array printhead, said set of secondary printheads each containing a secondary type ink for printing a secondary portion of the multicolor image on the sheet, and each said secondary type ink having a surface tension less than 40 dynes/cm at room temperature.

A method of printing, on an image receiving sheet, a high quality multiple color image having a high quality black ink portion abutting a color ink portion, the printing method comprising the steps of:

• a. printing the high quality black ink portion of the multiple-color image on a first spot on the receiving sheet using a slow-drying, first black ink;
• and
• b. printing the color ink portion of the multiple color image on a second spot on the receiving sheet abutting said first spot, such that said color ink portion is separated by a small gap along a line where said color portion otherwise would abut said high quality black ink portion.