A density variation correction method for a printing system includes printheads in at least one linehead printing a test block pattern on a print media. A density variation trace is produced for each printed test block in the test block patterns by capturing an image of each test block and averaging pixel data in a transport direction. The density variation traces associated with a known print density represented in the test block pattern are compared with a respective reference density value. A determination is made as to whether there is a difference between each density variation trace and the respective reference density value. If there is a difference, the density variation trace is adjusted to match the reference density value. The method can be repeated for all of the known print densities represented in the test block pattern and for all of the lineheads in the printing system.