Optimized ink jet printing of barcodes

摘要

Inkjet printing of barcodes (500) is enhanced by several methods. In a printhead having two staggered columns of nozzles, using only the even (or odd) column enhances resolution of a vertical barcode element (502). Filling interior portions (604) of the barcode element with the odd (or even) column improves barcode appearance. Barcode swelling, due to ink migration after application, is reduced by use of a depletion matrix (700) to lessen the quantity of ink applied. Application of the depletion matrix to the edges (902) of the barcode elements resists swelling where resolution is most required. Where a printing mask is applied to the edges (902) of the barcode elements (904), the edges may be printed only by one column of printhead nozzles, or only during one direction of printhead movement, or both. Alternately, removal of one or more pixels along the edge (1002) of a barcode element (1004) allows each barcode element to swell to the desired size.