A method and system of controlling at least one printbar in a printing system are described. The printing system has one or more of printbars distributed along a media transport. A first image including a reference pattern is generated on a print medium with a first printbar. A pattern is then detected on the print medium. The reference pattern and the detected pattern are used to determine a position of the first image relative to a second printbar. This position is used to configure nozzle data for a second image to be generated on the print medium by the second printbar.