A printing system and method is provided for adjusting image on paper (IOP) misregistration in a printing device. The method includes initiating marking of a substrate with a test pattern, the test pattern having at least one feature, and the marked substrate including at least two features including the at least one feature of the test pattern; sensing in a first sensing operation, as the substrate is transported in a process direction, a first feature of the marked substrate; sensing in a second sensing operation, as the substrate is transported in the process direction, a second feature of the marked substrate, wherein at least one of the first and second features is included in features of the test pattern; measuring a time differential between the sensing of the first and second features; and determining an IOP misregistration characteristic based on the measured time differential.