<p>HANDHELD PRINTER AbstractA swipe printer comprising: (a) a printhead for printing a graphic image and a position-coding pattern onto a surface; (b) an ink supply containing a first ink for printing the graphic image and a second ink for printing the position-coding pattern; (c) an image sensor positioned for imaging portions of the surface on which the printhead has printed during a swipe of the surface, each imaged portion containing part of the position-coding pattern printed by the printhead during the swipe; and (d) a processor for determining absolute positions of the swipe printer using the parts of the position-coding pattern. The processor is configured to use the absolute positions for controlling an output of the printhead during the swipe.Figure: 5</p>