Abstract: A method is provided for reducing thermal aging in an ink jet print head while avoiding significant warm-up times. The method selectively utilizes multiple print head standby temperatures to reduce the effects of thermal aging over time. The ink for the printer is a phase change ink. The ink jet printer has a print head, the print head printing at a first print temperature and the print head standing by a different second standby temperature lower than the first print temperature. The ink is ejected from the print head by applying a voltage to a transducer. This method further comprises monitoring the time the printhead is at the second standby temperature, calculating a thermal aging period for the print head at the standby temperature, and at a predetermined value for the thermal aging period, increasing the voltage applied to the transducer when ink is ejected, the voltage being increased at a predetermined rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically compensating for thermal conditioning of an ink jet print head are provided. The method and apparatus monitor the time during which the print head experiences various temperatures. The driving voltage supplied to the ink jet transducer is adjusted over time to compensate for thermal conditioning of the print head.