Method for adjusting a strobe pulse for a thermal line array printer

A method of providing an appropriate strobe pulse width for a print head element in a thermal printer wherein a look-up table is created for determining target strobe pulse durations. These durations are computed functions of power supply voltage levels, measured in real time, print head element temperatures, measured previously, and average element resistance, also measured previously. Once such a table is established, strobe pulses are initiated for driving current through print head dot elements. Periodically the power supply voltage levels in the print head are measured and the values temporarily stored. The look-up table is consulted to obtain a target strobe pulse width which is compared to the elapsed time of the strobe. The strobe pulse is continued so long as the latest target pulse width exceeds the width or elapsed time of the strobe pulse. The strobe pulse is terminated when the latest target pulse width has been equaled or exceeded by the elapsed time of the strobe pulse.