Printer for accommodating varying page thicknesses

A pagewidth printer having a printing condition and a non-printing condition, the printer comprising:

• a pagewidth printhead having an array of printing nozzles thereon for printing on a print medium sheet when in the printing condition;
• a platen disposed opposite the nozzles, being rotatable about an axis of rotation, and comprising two operational zones angularly spaced from one another about said axis, wherein
• one of said zones comprises a platen surface for supporting the sheet thereon and which, when the printer is in the printing condition, is disposed opposite the printhead such that the platen surface and printhead define between them a space for accommodating the sheet, and
• the other zone comprises a printhead engagement zone which, when the printer is in the non-printing condition, is disposed opposite the pagewidth printhead and is configured for engaging the printhead;
• a detector system configured for detecting a thickness of the sheet when in said space;
• and
• a control arrangement configured to rotate the platen to dispose a selected one of said zones opposite the pagewidth printhead and to selectively vary said space in response to the thickness detected by the detector system when the printer is in the printing condition and the platen surface is disposed opposite the printhead, for adapting the printer for differing sheet thicknesses.