Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus is shown which has a source of pressurized ink connected to a plurality of solenoid valves. Each valve has an input port in fluid communication with the pressurized ink source and an output port. A plurality of jeweled orifice nozzles are provided, each of the nozzles being in fluid communication with a select one of the output ports of the solenoid valves. Electrical control means control the output of the solenoid valves to the nozzles.In the ink jet printing process shown, a source of water-based pressurized ink is prepared and utilized in the apparatus which contains 60 to 95 percent by weight water, 0.05 to 25 percent by weight dye, and 2.5 to 20 percent by weight of a glycol ether selected from the group consisting of butyl cellosolve, butyl carbitol, and mixtures thereof.