An ink jet printing system includes a printhead generating a plurality of continuous ink jets that are in a row and directed toward a print receiving medium. The printhead contains a drop generator and an orifice plate that includes a plurality of nozzles to form the continuous ink jets. The orifice plate includes a stimulating device to produce first and second synchronous drop breakoffs in a phased relationship and each ink jet in the drop breakoffs alternate producing plurality of drops in a phased relationship. A charge plate is placed opposite the drop generator and includes a plurality of drop charging electrodes adjacent the continuous ink jets. A controller is in communication with each drop charging electrode and supplies a plurality of synchronized controlled drop selection pulses to the drop charging electrodes.