An image transfer ink-jet printer employs an image receiving drum that rotates relative to an ink-jet array print head spanning the full width of the drum. A print head positioner moves the print head in precise increments to position adjacent scan lines of ink drops. Without affecting the overall scale of the image, adjacent pairs of scan lines are spaced at distances less than one nominal pixel width. Pairings within the range of 0.2 to 0.5 pixel widths are used, with optimal spacing at 0.35 pixel widths.