one-pass color

(1) Refers to a color laser printer in which the paper is moved over four drums, one for each color (see CMYK). Contrast with "multi-pass color," which applies each color to the same drum and moves the paper over it four times.

(2) Refers to an inkjet printer that moves the paper in one direction from start to finish. Contrast with "four-pass color," which typically refers to a dye sublimation photo printer that applies the colors in multiple passes.