Abstract: A valve and nozzle system for drop on demand ink jet printing apparatus wherein a single valve communicates with a plurality of orifices for controlling the flow of ink simultaneously through the orifices. The valve has a chamber with an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports communicating with the chamber. The outlet ports have seats that are in a common plane and a piston has a face that, when the valve is closed, simultaneously seats against all the outlet port seats to close the valve. When a solenoid is energized to withdraw the piston and open the valve, the valve face separates simultaneously from the outlet port seats. Thus the outlet ports are opened and closed simultaneously.