A method of page expansion and printing of image data received by a printer from a computer includes the steps of receiving the image data from the computer, the data having a bi-level black layer compressed in an EDRL (Edge Delta and Runlength) format and a continuous tone (“contone”) layer, and decompressing the respective layers in parallel. The method also includes the steps of halftoning contone layer data to a bi-level data and compositing the bi-level black layer over the bi-level data to form an image, and transmitting the image to the printhead having staggered nozzles designed to match a flow of paper through the printer. The method further includes the step of operating the printhead according to one of a low-speed nozzle firing mode and a high-speed firing mode to print the image on the paper, the low-speed firing mode having a firing rate half that of the high-speed firing mode.