Devices and methods load a firing distance into a distance counter of a printing device. The firing distance is the distance from the current position of a printhead of the printing device to a marking location on a substrate. These devices and methods count the firing distance in discrete distance increments using the distance counter, based on relative movement of the substrate and printhead. When the distance counter reaches the last discrete distance increment of the firing distance, these devices and methods load the fractional remaining distance of the firing distance into a time counter of the printing device. Then, such devices and methods count the fractional remaining distance in velocity-based distance increments at regular time intervals using the time counter. When the time counter reaches the last velocity-based distance increment of the fractional remaining distance, these devices and methods transfer the marking material from the printhead to the substrate.