Abstract: A recording or printing device which will print bidirectionally in both the left to right and right to left directions by use of an ink jet head travelling horizontally with respect to a printing medium. A carriage carries the ink jet head and an image is formed by ink droplets from the ink jet head. To compensate for relative horizontal displacement of the ink droplets caused by the horizontal travel of the head and carriage, tilting compensating structure is provided for parallel electrostatic deflection plates. The deflection plates are mounted on a pivotable structure upon the traverse carriage and because of the bias effect of a pair of springs and a slide block will tilt in the correct direction to provide the needed compensation of the ink droplets. Mechanical limit stops on a slide bar determine the amount of tilt for more than one speed of carriage traverse, and changeable limit stop structure permits the limit stops to be changed for a second, a third or more speed of carriage movement.