Ink-jet printer with precise print zone media control

An ink-jet printer, comprising:

• a printhead for ejecting ink droplets onto a print medium in a controlled fashion at a print area;
• first media drive means for advancing said print medium through a media path during print operations to position said medium in relation to said printhead, said first drive means comprising first and second drive roller means mounted on a first drive shaft and spaced so as to engage opposed margins of said medium, said first and second roller means having a substantially larger diameter than a diameter of said shaft, said first drive means positioned immediately adjacent said print area at a media input side of said print area such that said first and second roller means extend into said opposed marginal areas of said print area for engaging said medium and driving said medium through said print area;
• second media drive means, comprising a third drive roller means mounted on a second drive shaft, said third roller means having a diameter larger than a diameter of said second shaft, said second drive means positioned immediately adjacent said print area at a media output side of said print area for engaging and pulling said medium away from said print area;
• a print area media heater disposed between said first and second media drive means, said heater including means for heating an area of print medium located between said first and second drive roller means, said heater comprising a radiant heat generating element disposed in a heater cavity below said print area for heating the opposite surface of said medium to that surface on which ink droplets are ejected, and a screen mounted at an elongated opening of said heater cavity for supporting said medium at said print area and for permitting radiant and convective heat to transfer to said medium surface through an opening pattern formed in said screen, said screen opening pattern extending between said first and second drive roller means, said screen comprising an edge transverse to the direction of media advancement at said output side of said print area, said screen comprising a medium supporting surface and a second surface meeting said medium supporting surface at said edge, and wherein said screen opening pattern extends through said edge and into said second surface to permit radiant energy to escape said cavity through said second surface for post-printing heating of said medium;
• whereby said first and second drive means are closely spaced about said print area to minimize the distance therebetween and minimize the medium area over which said first and second drive means are not simultaneously acting.