Ink jet printer with control

An ink jet printer comprising:

• jet-forming means for forming a jet of ink;
• an ink system operable to provide ink to the jet-forming means;
• a charging electrode adjacent the jet-forming means;
• signal applying means to apply a charging signal to the charging electrode;
• and
• control means for responding to an input start signal to perform a start-up sequence, said start-up sequence comprising (i) controlling the ink system to pressurize the ink to a relatively high pressure for a first interval and to switch from withholding the ink from the jet-forming means to providing the ink to the jet-forming means when pressurizing the ink to the relatively high pressure to start the jet, and to pressurize the ink subsequently to a lower pressure and to provide the ink at the lower pressure to the jet-forming means to maintain the jet, and (ii) controlling the signal applying means to adjust the phase of said charging signal while the ink system is providing ink at said lower pressure.

An ink jet printer comprising:

• jet-forming means for forming a jet of ink;
• an ink system operable to provide ink to the jet-forming means;
• suction means for applying suction to the jet-forming means, the suction tending to reverse the direction of the jet;
• and
• control means for responding to an input stop signal by (i) controlling the ink system to cease to provide ink to the jet-forming means and (ii) controlling the suction means to apply the suction to the jet-forming means substantially simultaneously with the ink system ceasing to provide ink.