Abstract: A method and apparatus for employing print mode techniques to optimize image quality, throughput speed and reliability, including generating pseudo-random printmasks to minimize banding, bleeding, blocking, and other undesirable printing artifacts, and combining random selection of a pass number for printing each pixel of a printmask with application of various constraints. In combination with other aspects of the invention, speed is optimized by depositing substantially a single drop of ink per pixel, thereby minimizing both the number of passes required to render all pixels completely and drying time. Image quality is optimized by maximizing the time and distance between deposition of individual ink drops, thereby minimizing coalescence, bleeding, cockling, blocking, pen temperature, and pen-firing frequency which affect uniformity and consistency of ink drop size.