Patent ID: 7648216

Claim:
A method for printing on a print media using nozzles in a printhead, the print media having an end and a margin section adjacent the end, and wherein the printhead deposits ink onto the print media during successive printing passes, said method comprising: determining whether one or more of the nozzles are operating improperly and determining how many of the one or more nozzles are operating improperly in response to a determination that one or more of the nozzles are operating improperly; in response to at least a predetermined number of nozzles operating properly, feeding the print media at normal distances between the at least two printing passes of the printhead when the printhead is substantially in position to print onto the margin section; and in response to at least a predetermined number of nozzles operating improperly being-out, micro-linefeeding the print media between at least two printing passes of the printhead when the printhead is substantially in position to print onto the margin section, wherein micro-linefeeding the print media comprises activating a print media feed means to advance the print media for a distance that is substantially smaller than a normal advance of the print media, to thereby reduce printing defects in the margin section caused by one or more nozzles that are operating improperly.