Abstract: A technique for printing a test pattern for calibrating a plurality of different color ink printheads includes printing a sequence of rows in a carriage scan direction, with at least some rows being printed at different constant speeds, respectively. Each row includes a repeated pattern of spaced apart blocks from one printhead which are optically scanned to determine the relative offset positions of the blocks as compared to another row in the test pattern. A single optimized adjustment is then determined. At least one portion of the test pattern is printed in a first direction scan, and is optically sensed in a return opposition direction scan. This technique is particularly useful for bi-directional color printing, and includes a print warming pattern in advance of the actual test pattern.