Multiple pass color shift correction technique for an inkjet printer

A method for printing color ink comprising:

• providing a medium to be printed upon in a print zone of an inkjet printer;
• determining a composite color to be printed on said medium;
• scanning at least a first printhead having an array of ink ejection elements, printing a first color, and a second printhead having an array of ink ejection elements, printing a second color, across said print zone;
• energizing said ink ejection elements in at least said first printhead and said second printhead, to print said first color and said second color, as said first printhead and said second printhead scan across said print zone in a primary pass so that a first quantity of ink is deposited on said medium during said primary pass, said primary pass being in a predetermined first direction across said print zone for said composite color;
• and
• energizing said ink ejection elements in at least said first printhead and said second printhead, to print said first color and said second color, as said first printhead and said second printhead scan across said print zone in a secondary pass so that a second quantity of ink, less than said first quantity of ink, is deposited on said medium during said secondary pass, said secondary pass being in a second direction across said print zone opposite to said first direction, at least a portion of said first quantity of ink and said second quantity of ink overlapping to produce said composite color,
• wherein said first direction is always selected for said primary pass for said composite color to reduce a color shift effect, and
• wherein said first direction is based on an optimal order of said first color and said second color being deposited for creating said composite color.