A three-dimensional (3D) object printer has an ejector head with a single nozzle that is fluidly connected to a plurality of orifices in an orifice plate of the ejector head. An ejection of material through the single nozzle is emitted through the plurality of orifices simultaneously. In one embodiment, some of the orifices are oriented at an angle to a normal to the plane of the orifice plate. A splicer of the printer that generates machine ready instructions for operation of the printer identifies a standoff distance between the orifice plate and a surface onto which drops are being ejected to achieve a target drop spacing for the drops ejected onto the surface. In this manner, a material density for structure within a layer can be achieved without needing to increase the ejection frequency significantly or requiring the printer to incorporate multiple ejector heads.