A method for producing printed circuits utilizing direct printing methods to apply a pattern mask to a substrate. The direct printing methods include correcting positional errors in a printing apparatus by ascertaining the errors in the printer through comparison of a printed pattern and a known standard pattern. Printer inputs are manipulated to compensate for the ascertained errors of the printer. The pattern mask applied by the corrected printer may be an etch resist mask for forming conductive pathways by an etching process, or the pattern mask may be a plating mask with conductive pathways being formed by a plating operation. The process of the present invention is applicable to forming both single-sided and double-sided printed circuit boards.