Dynamic image registration apparatus and method

A printing apparatus for dynamically registering an image relative to a target substrate media being moved substantially in a process direction along a substrate media path, the apparatus comprising:

• a marking engine for generating the image for transfer to the target substrate media;
• a transport for moving the target substrate media along the substrate media path in the process direction to receive the image in a transfer area from the marking engine;
• a sensing system for detecting, along the substrate media path, a characteristic of at least one other substrate media moved previously by the transport;
• wherein the sensing system includes at least one of a sheet edge sensor, a point sensor and an array sensor used in detecting the characteristic;
• a correction module for altering the image generated by the marking engine based on signals from the sensing system related to the characteristic, wherein the characteristic is detected from at least two portions of the substrate media path, the two portions disposed on opposed sides of the transfer area in the process direction;
• and wherein the signals indicate a process direction movement, a cross-process direction movement, a skew of the at least one other substrate media relative to the substrate media path, and a size of the substrate media.