Methods and apparatus for depositing ink onto substrates

A method of printing ink on a substrate including a matrix of pixels using a first printing assembly having a set of print heads, the method comprising:

• in a first print pass:
• moving the substrate under the print heads of the first printing assembly sequentially in a printing direction;
• activating alternate ink jetting channels within each print head of the first printing assembly;
• activating corresponding channels within adjacent print heads in the first printing assembly alternately;
• and
• depositing ink in alternating sub-pixels within one or more pixels on the substrate.

The method of 10, further comprising:

• in a second print pass:
• clearing the first printing assembly from an area of the substrate including the one or more pixels filled with ink during the first print pass;
• moving the substrate under the print heads of a second printing assembly sequentially in a printing direction;
• activating ink jetting channels within each print head of the second printing assembly alternately with respect to a pattern of activation employed during the first print pass;
• and
• depositing ink into sub-pixels within the one or more pixels on the substrate skipped by the first printing assembly during the first print pass.

The method of 10, further comprising:

• during the first print pass:
• moving the substrate under the print heads of a second printing assembly sequentially in the printing direction;
• activating ink jetting channels within each print head of the second printing assembly alternately with respect to a pattern of activation employed during the first print pass;
• depositing ink into sub-pixels within the one or more pixels on the substrate skipped by the first printing assembly during the first print pass.