Method and apparatus for using dual print zones to enhance print quality

A method to improve printing quality in a printer device in which at least one printer unit is arranged, said printer unit including at least one toner container and an electrode unit, whereby in a print zone, toner particles are transported from a toner carrier member towards an information carrier insertable between the toner carrier member and at least one back electrode by means of one or more attraction fields, the method comprising the steps of:

• dividing said print zone into at least a first smaller print zone and a second smaller print zone;
• providing at least a first toner carrier member and a second toner carrier member for said at least one toner container, said first toner carrier member associated with said first smaller print zone, said second toner carrier member associated with said second smaller print zone;
• and
• arranging apertures and electrodes in said electrode unit in at least a first group and second group, said first group of apertures and electrodes controlling flow of toner particles from said first toner carrier member to said information carrier, said second group of apertures and electrodes controlling flow of toner particles from said second toner carrier member to said information carrier.

A printer which selectively deposits toner particles onto an information carrier, said printer comprising:

• a toner container which encloses said toner particles;
• a first toner carrier member and a second toner carrier member which receive said toner particles from said toner container;
• a first back electrode and a second back electrode positioned such that the information carrier may be positioned between said toner carrier members and said back electrodes;
• and
• an electrode unit arranged in communication with said toner container, said electrode unit comprising a plurality of electrodes and apertures, said apertures surrounded at least partly by said electrodes, said electrode unit being arranged to control transportation of said toner particles from said toner carrier members through said apertures toward said back electrodes using attraction fields such that said toner particles are selectively deposited on said information carrier, wherein said first toner carrier member, said electrode unit and said first back electrode interact to form a first print zone therebetween, and said second toner carrier member, said electrode unit and said second back electrode interact to form a second print zone therebetween, said first print zone and said second print zone including at least respective first and second electrodes of said plurality electrodes, said first and second electrodes in said first print zone controlling transportation of toner particles from said first toner carrier member to said information carrier, said first and second electrodes in said second print zone controlling transportation of toner particles from said second toner carrier member to said information carrier.