A unique Dot Scanning System is described which gives superior quality speed performance. One form of this dot scanning system is intra-dot and is applicable to both serial and line impact dot matrix printers, line and serial thermal printers, ink jet, as well as laser and LCD printers. In general, the speed of quality printing is more than doubled for given printhead performance. Another aspect of the invention involves inter-dot scanning as well as intra-dot recording and can be used in all the above applications. The scanning is preferably perpendicular to the printhead motion over the paper.