A web press system including a first printbar, a first sensor, a second printbar, a second sensor, and a controller. The first printbar prints first user content on a first side of a web of media. The first sensor senses a pattern on the web of media and provides first sensor data as the first printbar prints the first user content. A second printbar prints second user content on the first side of the web of media. The second sensor senses the pattern on the web of media and provides second sensor data as the second printbar prints the second user content. The controller determines an amount of expansion of the web of media in a direction perpendicular to a web advanced direction based on the first sensor data and the second sensor data and modifies printing performed by the second printbar based on the amount of expansion.