Dynamic multi-pass print mode corrections to compensate for malfunctioning inkjet nozzles

A method of printing using multiple scanning passes of ink ejection elements over a recording medium and correcting for malfunctioning ink ejection elements, comprising the steps of:

• obtaining a standard printmask defining a pixel grid of rows and columns and the ink ejection element which ejects on a particular row and column of the pixel grid in a particular pass;
• identifying the malfunctioning ink ejection elements;
• ascertaining alternative ink ejection elements for the ejection elements which are malfunctioning;
• selecting replacement ink ejection elements from the alternative ink ejection elements;
• modifying the standard printmask by removing the malfunctioning ink ejection elements from the standard printmask and replacing the malfunctioning ink ejection elements with the selected replacement ink ejection elements to create a modified printmask;
• and
• ejecting ink drops onto the recording medium in multiple scanning passes over the recording medium in accordance with the modified printmask without increasing a total number of the multiple scanning passes.