Abstract: A printhead for ink jet printing apparatus having a plurality of orifices for delivery of droplets of ink with delivery controlled by miniature solenoids, one for each orifice, each solenoid having a plunger directly engageable with a membrane to block flow of ink to a respective orifice and electromagnetically retractable from the membrane for flow of ink for delivery of a droplet of ink from the respective orifice, with provision for proportional valve action for each orifice. A removable and replaceable dot mask plate having a pattern of holes is sandwiched between a body and a back plate of the printhead and certain of the plungers of the solenoids are aligned with holes in the dot mask and, in a forward extended position, extend through the holes to engage the membrane. The dot mask masks or blocks other plungers of the printhead.