A method for reducing horizontal banding on media in an ink jet printer involves the step of moving the media repeatedly back and forth along a media movement path during a printing scan of at least one print head, the printing scan defined by movement of the print head across the media movement path as ink is ejected from the print head onto the media.

A pseudo random number generator that generates a plurality of intermediate values, where each successive intermediate value is based, at least in part, on one of the succeeding intermediate values, where a final value based on a subset of the plurality of intermediate values. In application, the final value is based on performing a logical operation on the penultimate and last generated intermediate values.

A test pattern is written using multiple image beams in a non image zone at set time intervals. The test pattern is sensed and a profile of each beam is determined from the multiple image beams. A minimum reflectance of the profile is determined from the test pattern of each beam thereby providing an exposure of each respective beam. A centroid of a profile is determined from the test pattern of each beam thereby providing a position of each respective beam. At least one of the following is then determined: frequency, amplitude and phase of banding, which is inherent in a printing device, based on the sensed test pattern. A plurality of groups of image beams intensity changes is combined wherein each group is separated by a set displacement. A banding profile is determined from the group beam intensities. At least one banding compensation metric is determined based at least on one of the determined frequency, amplitude and phase of banding. Beam intensity changes are adjusted based on the determined banding compensation metric to compensate the banding inherent in the printing device.

A print screen tonal control and compensation system and method are provided in which a compensated density curve is utilized to increase press predictability, performance, resources consumption, color variation, and quality. A computerized test pattern is generated, and by applying computer to plate technology, a printed press produces a printed test pattern. The test pattern is subsequently analyzed to identify the plugging point of the production run, and a compensated density curve is created to eliminate plugging within the production pattern. The density curve is then used to generate a compensated printing plate for use in a production press run.