Color printing process direction color registration system with expanded chevrons

In a method of plural color printing with a color registration system for the registration of plural color images on an image bearing surface moving in a process direction, using plural registration marks imaged on said image bearing surface, which said registration marks correspond to the positions of respective said color images on said image bearing surface, and which registration marks are sensed by a registration marks sensor for detecting the positions of said registration marks on said image bearing surface, said registration marks sensor having a limited misregistration latitude, the improvement wherein;

• said color registration system provides an initial gross registration mode in which said color registration system automatically images a plurality of first said registration marks on said image bearing surface,
• said first registration marks being formed to provide a wider misregistration latitude for said registration marks sensor in said process direction,
• imaging said first registration marks on said image bearing surface until an initial gross registration is achieved,
• then automatically switching said color registration system to a second registration mode in which said color registration system automatically images a plurality of second and different said registration marks on said image bearing surface having reduced misregistration latitude in said process direction for said registration marks sensor but providing higher registration accuracy with said registration marks sensor,
• said second registration mode forming said second and different said registration marks more closely spaced together in said process direction on said image bearing surface than said first registration marks.