Abstract: An inkjet printer includes an inkjet printhead having a printhead die with an array of nozzles, and a media advance system for moving recording medium along a media path toward a print region. A carriage moves the inkjet printhead back and forth across the print region, and the carriage includes a holding receptacle for the inkjet printhead. The holding receptacle includes a bottom portion having an opening into which the printhead die extends. A viewing hole is disposed in the bottom portion of the holding receptacle for providing an optical pathway between an optical sensor and a portion of the media path. A wick is configured to contact the bottom portion of the holding receptacle proximate the viewing hole for removing accumulated ink.