Abstract: Image quality is improved by adjusting the ejection amount of quality enhancing ink based on the ejection amount of colored ink containing colorant. When a relatively high gross printing medium is used, the quality enhancing ink is ejected in an image area where virtually no colored ink is ejected, thereby improving unevenness in gloss within the print image. When a relatively low gross printing medium is used, on the other hand, the quality enhancing ink is ejected in an image area where the colored ink is ejected on virtually all pixels, thereby improving unevenness in color within the print image. The relationship between the ejection amounts of the quality enhancing ink and the colored ink may be modified by the user.

Abstract: A method of determining and applying a protective ink amount to be printed in addition to a plurality of colored ink amounts to make colored pixels in an image including determining the protective ink amount such that the sum of the protective ink amount and the colored ink amounts is greater than or equal to a minimum ink amount necessary to provide adequate durability for the image, and applying using an inkjet printer the colored ink amounts and the protective ink amount to make the colored image pixels.

Abstract: An inkjet printer cradle including a body defining a recess dimensioned to locate a removable inkjet cartridge of a type having a pagewidth printhead and an air inlet port; and an air compressor having an air outlet pipe arranged to traverse a portion of the body defining an internal shelf of the recess, said pipe positioned to couple with the air inlet port upon insertion of the inkjet printer cradle into the recess and configured to assist in piercing of a seal over the air inlet port.

Abstract: A method of improving black print quality in a color printer having at least one color ink and black ink includes determining a location on a substrate where a black pixel is to be printed, printing a droplet of color ink at the location, and printing a droplet of black ink with the color droplet. If the color printer includes cyan, magenta and yellow, then a droplet of cyan ink, magenta ink or yellow ink may be printed with the droplet of black ink. For images containing black at a plurality of locations, the cyan, magenta and yellow droplets may be equally distributed among the plurality of locations. Alternatively, the cyan, magenta and yellow droplets may be distributed in accordance with a digital halftone screen.

Abstract: A filler solution of the present invention, which is supplied to fill an inkjet head, contains water and a hydrolyzate of a silicon compound which has a hydrophilic group.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus including: a colored ink recording head for emitting photocurable colored ink to a recording medium; a transparent ink recording head for emitting the transparent ink to a recording medium; and a control device for controlling the colored ink recording head and transparent ink recording head; wherein the control device controls an amount of the ink for printing per unit area emitted by the transparent ink recording head according to a relationship between an amount A of colored ink for printing per unit area and an amount B of transparent ink for printing per unit area, and wherein the relationship is that, the amount B is decreased by an increase in the amount A.

Abstract: A method of determining and applying a protective ink amount to be printed in addition to a plurality of colored ink amounts to make colored pixels in an image including determining a first protective ink amount responsive to the colored ink amounts, determining multitoned colored ink amounts using a multitone processor responsive to the colored ink amounts, and determining a second protective ink amount responsive to the multitoned colored ink amounts. The method also includes determining the protective ink amount responsive to the first protective ink amount and the second protective ink amount to provide adequate durability for the image, and applying using an inkjet printer the colored ink amounts and the protective ink amount to make the colored image pixels.

Abstract: A system, including an ink supply system configured to supply ink to a printhead; and an autopurge unit configured to automatically clean the printhead. The autopurge unit includes a solvent supply in fluid communication with a solvent line, a solenoid housing, and a waste container. The solenoid housing includes a first solenoid assembly disposed within an ink line, wherein the ink line is in fluid communication with the ink supply and a first outlet that is configured to be in fluid communication with the printhead; and a second solenoid assembly disposed within a solvent line. The waste container is in fluid communication with a waste delivery line having a waste inlet. The waste inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with a waste line that is in communication with the printhead so that fluid waste from the printhead is deposited into the waste container.

Abstract: A fluid jet head with driving circuit of a heater set. A first and a second primary transistor are coupled to a first and a second heater. When the first primary transistor is turned on under control of a first control voltage and a first current is generated flowing through the first heater, the first primary transistor, and the first current path, then the first primary transistor has a first primary equivalent resistance corresponding to the first control voltage. When the second primary transistor is turned on under control of a second control voltage, and a second current is generated flowing through the second heater, the second primary transistor, and a second current path, then the second primary transistor has a second primary equivalent resistance corresponding to the second control voltage. Therefore, the thermal energy generated by the first heater is substantially equal to that generated by the second heater.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing an accurately positioned white layer to serve as an undercoat for inkjet process colors imaging on a substrate, by accurately ink jetting a colorless loosely-bonded frame onto the substrate, thereby defining an area to be imaged, ink jetting or spraying a white layer, the white layer at least partially overlapping the frame and covering the area defined by the frame.

Abstract: The printing apparatus of the present invention includes a print head that has basic-color nozzle arrays and a specific nozzle array disposed in a staggered manner in relation to a black ink nozzle array, which is one of the basic-color nozzle arrays. The specific nozzle array can receive a solution independently of the basic-color nozzle arrays, and the solution can be selected from a plurality of solutions (including black ink) by selecting a specific cartridge mounted in a ink feeder. Images can be printed in black and white at a high speed with the aid of the two nozzle arrays (black ink nozzle array and specific nozzle array) by selecting black ink for the solution. Higher picture quality can also be obtained during photographic printing by selecting, for example, a dark yellow ink or a gray ink as the solution.

Abstract: A printhead assembly is provided comprising a plurality of nozzles arranged to eject ink from an associated nozzle opening onto media in an ejection direction, and a nozzle guard arranged to cover the nozzles in the ejection direction so as to provide a space between the nozzles and the nozzle guard. The nozzle guard comprises a plurality of passages positioned so that each passage is in register with a corresponding one of the nozzle openings and an inlet arranged to direct fluid over the nozzles and through the passages so that a fluid pressure within the space is less than that within the space without the fluid. This low pressure region above the nozzles inhibits the build up of foreign particles on the nozzles.

Abstract: An inkjet printer has process color printheads and spot color printheads each comprising a plurality of inkjet nozzles. The printheads are arranged such that the spot color printhead has fewer nozzles allocated for each spot color then the process color printhead has allocated for each process color. For areas requiring spot color printing the printing rate may be reduced or the dot size and/or the dot spacing may be varied for spot colors to enable printing at the same rate as for process colors.

Abstract: A printing assembly has a printing unit and an inert gas supply that supplies an inert gas, such as nitrogen, to components of the printing unit during a printing operation. The inert gas environment prevents oxidation of any high temperature components of the printing unit, such as thermal actuators of a printhead chip.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a printhead having a plurality of ink orifices formed therein. During printing, ink drops are ejected through the ink orifices into a print zone between the printhead and a print medium. An air current disruption system directs an air stream through the print zone as the ink drops are ejected so as to disrupt air currents acting on the ink drops during printing and prevent print defects caused by the air currents. The air stream, however, does not disrupt an intended trajectory of the ink drops during printing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering solvent free marking material to a receiver is provided. A printhead includes a discharge device having an inlet and an outlet with a portion of the discharge device defining a delivery path. An actuating mechanism is moveably positioned along the delivery path. A material selection device has an inlet and an outlet with the outlet of the material selection device being connected in fluid communication to the inlet of the discharge device. The inlet of the material selection device is adapted to be connected to a pressurized source of a thermodynamically stable mixture of a fluid and a marking material, wherein the fluid is in a gaseous state at a location beyond the outlet of the discharge device.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus having a cleaning station that is structurally integrated with a droplet deflector is provided. The apparatus includes an ink droplet forming mechanism formed from a printhead having at least one nozzle for ejecting a stream of ink droplets of different volumes, a pneumatic droplet deflector for producing a flow of gas that transversely impinges the droplet stream of the printhead in order to separate ink droplets of different volumes from one another. The droplet deflector includes a pressurized gas source, which may be an air blower, and a plenum for conducting the gas flow generated by the gas source. The cleaning station is formed at least in part from the plenum of the droplet deflector, and provides a flow of both a liquid cleaning fluid and a flow of gas to periodically clean the printhead of the ink droplet forming mechanism.

Abstract: A printer for printing on a print medium includes a printhead having ink orifices formed therein through which ink drops are ejected into a print zone between the printhead and the print medium during printing, wherein the printhead has a scan axis oriented substantially perpendicular to a first column and a second column of the ink orifices and along which the printhead traverses during printing, and an air movement system directing a stream of gas to the print zone substantially parallel to the first column and the second column of the ink orifices and offset from and between the first column and the second column of the ink orifices as the ink drops are ejected during printing.

Abstract: A nozzle guard (80) for an ink jet printhead includes a body member (82) mountable on a substrate (16) which carries a nozzle array (14). The body member defines a plurality of passages (84) through it such that, in use, each passage (84) is in register with a nozzle opening of one of the nozzles of the array (14). The body member (22) further defines fluid inlet openings (88) for directing fluid through the passages (84), from an inlet end of the passages (84), for inhibiting the build up of foreign particles on the nozzle (14).

Abstract: A method of forming a color filter and a color filter are provided. The method includes providing a mixture of a color filter material and a compressed fluid; providing a substrate; providing a printhead adapted to deliver the mixture of the color filter material and the compressed fluid toward the substrate; positioning the printhead in a predetermined location relative to the substrate; and ejecting the mixture of the color filter material and the compressed fluid through the printhead toward the substrate, wherein the color filter material becomes free of the compressed fluid prior to the color filter material contacting the substrate at the predetermined location.

Abstract: The following described arrangements and procedures generate a smudge resistant image with an ink jet imaging device. Specifically, in an image printing zone on the ink jet imaging device, a first carriage generates an image on a print medium. Then, in an image protecting zone on the ink jet imaging device, a second carriage deposits an overcoat solution and a fixer solution onto the image to form a substantially smudge resistant image.

Abstract: A device for holding a sheetlike article on a movable underlying surface for transporting the sheetlike article in at least one direction selected from the group consisting of a direction into and a direction out of an operating station having a printing unit, includes a member having a surface underlying the sheetlike article, the sheetlike article being retainable by pneumatic pressure on the surface, a screening device disposed locally fixedly with respect to an operating station, the screening device serving for reducing an airflow in a region of the printing unit at least with respect to adjacent regions, the reduction in the airflow resulting from the sheetlike article being held on the underlying surface.

Abstract: An airflow assembly for a fluid-ejection mechanism of one embodiment of the invention is disclosed that includes at least one first surface and at least one second surface. The at least one first surface is to at least substantially cause airflow to be deflected around the fluid-ejection mechanism while the fluid-ejection mechanism is moving. The at least one second surface is at least substantially flush with a front surface of the fluid-ejection mechanism, to create airflow drag over the front surface of the fluid-ejection mechanism while the fluid-ejection mechanism is moving.

Abstract: This invention aims at allowing a consistent increase in the output of selective dispensing of micro-droplets, at making a spatial, targeted selectivity by distributing a predetermined reagent on the predetermined site, and at creating a multifunctional system, easy to adjust. An example of dispensing system according to this invention consists of a substrate (2) covered by a membrane (3) and of means for deforming (65) the membrane at the right of each cavity formed in the substrate, and where the cavities, etched in a material constituting the substrate (2) in a matrix shape, appear in the shape of wells (10) crossing the substrate with lateral, continuous walls (11) of axial symmetry; each well opening on the upper surface and the lower surface of the substrate with respectively a feeding opening (12) and an ejection duct (14), the feeding opening showing an opening consistently higher than the opening (13) of the duct.

Abstract: The printing apparatus of the present invention comprises a print head that has basic-color nozzle arrays and a specific nozzle array disposed in a staggered manner in relation to a black ink nozzle array, which is one of the basic-color nozzle arrays; the specific nozzle array can receive a solution independently of the basic-color nozzle arrays; the solution can be selected from a plurality of solutions (including black ink) by selecting a specific cartridge mounted in a ink feeder; and images can be printed in black and white at a high speed with the aid of the two nozzle arrays (black ink nozzle array and specific nozzle array) by selecting black ink for the solution. Higher picture quality can also be obtained during photographic printing by selecting, for example, a dark yellow ink or a gray ink as the solution.

Abstract: A method of forming a thin film by an ink jet method including the step of discharging a liquid containing thin film-forming materials and a solvent from liquid discharge ports to each position on a substrate while the liquid discharge ports are being moved relatively to the substrate, characterized in that subsequent droplets are arranged while a solvent vapor evaporating from droplets arranged previously on the substrate are compulsively removed from inside the substrate surface.

Abstract: A particulate dispensing device includes a housing having a wall at least partially forming a housing cavity. A dispersive element and a particulate filter are each supported in the housing cavity in spaced relation to one another forming a fluidizing chamber. A dispensing tube extends from the fluidizing chamber for dispensing fluidized particulates or aerosol from the device. The particulate dispensing device generates the fluidized particulates or aerosol from a particulate bed within the fluidizing chamber, and dispense the particulates through the dispensing tube to a downstream delivery site. One or more dispensing devices can be used in a system to deliver the fluidized particulate matter to the delivery site. In one system a delivery line from an associated dispensing device directly delivers particulate matter to the delivery site.

Abstract: A method of expelling a fluid includes filling a nozzle with a fluid using a capillary force, generating an ion wind by ionizing air near an outlet of the nozzle, and expelling the fluid from the nozzle as the ion wind decreases a pressure around the outlet of the nozzle. An ink-jet printhead utilizing the method includes a manifold formed in a passageway plate to supply ink, a nozzle to be supplied with ink formed in a nozzle plate provided on the passageway plate, and a ground electrode and a source electrode arranged near an outlet of the nozzle, the ground electrode and the source electrode forming an electric field due to an application of a voltage thereto and ionizing air near the outlet of the nozzle to produce an ion wind to decrease a pressure near the outlet of the nozzle to expel the ink contained in the nozzle.

Abstract: A method of making a print head is disclosed for use in a marking apparatus in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Marking material, such as ink, toner, etc., is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and marking material allow for high throughput, high resolution marking. Multiple marking materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without re-registration.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of delivering a functional material is provided. The apparatus includes a pressurized source of fluid in a thermodynamically stable mixture with a functional material. A discharge device having an inlet and an outlet is connected to the pressurized source at the inlet. The discharge device is shaped to produce a collimated beam of functional material, where the fluid is in a gaseous state at a location before or beyond the outlet of the discharge device. A beam control device is positioned proximate to the outlet of the discharge device such that the collimated beam of functional material is controlled after the collimated beam of functional material moves through the outlet of the discharge device.

Abstract: The image recording method records an image of a still subject on a recording medium using a diffuse reflection image signal of the image representing the still subject under a state where illumination light is diffuse-reflected and a glossiness signal representing glossiness of the still subject. The method forms a diffuse reflection image of the still subject on the recording medium based on the diffuse reflection image signal and forms a gloss adjustment layer made of a transparent gloss adjustment material in each region in units of pixels of the diffuse reflection image formed on the recording medium based on signal values of the glossiness signal.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a printhead having a plurality of ink orifices formed therein. During printing, ink drops are ejected through the ink orifices into a print zone between the printhead and a print medium with an intended ink drop trajectory toward the print medium. An air movement system directs an air stream to the print zone substantially parallel to the intended ink drop trajectory as the ink drops are ejected during printing so as to affect air currents acting on the ink drops during printing and prevent print defects caused by the air currents. The air stream, however, does not disrupt the intended trajectory of the ink drops during printing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for depositing marking material onto a substrate which comprises (a) providing a propellant to a printhead, said printhead having defined therein at least one channel, each channel having an inner surface and an exit orifice with a width no larger than about 250 microns through which the propellant can flow, said propellant flowing through each channel, thereby forming a propellant stream having kinetic energy, each channel directing the propellant stream toward the substrate, the inner surface of each channel having thereon a conductive polymer coating; and (b) controllably introducing a particulate marking material into the propellant stream in each channel, wherein the kinetic energy of the propellant stream causes the particulate marking material to impact the substrate.

Abstract: A head unit is inverted so that an outflow port is in the lowest position. Because the top wall of the buffer tank slopes downwards towards the outflow port, all remaining cleaning fluid that was introduced during manufacture is removed. Also, a notch is provided in the bottom end of an ink introduction port. The notch faces towards the outflow port so that bubbles in the ink exit from the notch and are guided towards the outflow port. The head unit is shipped while the buffer tank is filled with preservation fluid that has high wettability and any openings to the outside air are closed off with covers. When the head unit is used, the preservation fluid is sucked by a purging device and then ink, which has a high affinity for the preservation fluid, is smoothly introduced. Also, the inner surface of the filters are treated to increase the wettability by ink after the filters are fixed to the bottom lid. Afterwards the bottom lid is fixed to the top lid to form the buffer tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for ejecting very small droplets according to the present invention comprises a first ink ejector and a second ink ejector. The first ink ejector is controlled to eject a main droplet and a satellite droplet in accordance with one ink ejection signal such that the main droplet collides with an ink droplet ejected from the second ink ejector. A trajectory of a united droplet, formed by the collision of both droplets, is different from a trajectory of the main droplet, and the united droplet flies toward an in catcher. Only the satellite droplet having very small volume lands on a paper.

Abstract: A system and method of depositing a functional material on a receiver is provided. The system includes a chamber containing fluid in a compressed state. The fluid includes a solvent and suspension of the functional material to be deposited on the receiver. The chamber has a controllable nozzle for the ejection of a stream of the fluid toward the receiver. The system also includes a controllable platform for locating and orienting the receiver with respect to the controllable nozzle and a controller operably connected to the controllable nozzle and the controllable platform that controls the ejection of the compressed fluid through the controllable nozzle and the location of the receiver with respect to the controllable nozzle. The functional material becomes free of the solvent prior to the functional material contacting the receiver.

Abstract: In a printer incorporating thereinto a fuel cell for generating electricity upon receipt of supply of liquid fuel, an ink cartridge storing ink is mounted on a carriage, and the ink stored in the ink cartridge is ejected to a recording medium so that an image is recorded on the recording medium. The ink cartridge stores ink, and has a liquid fuel storage section that stores the liquid fuel, and a water storage section that stores water. The printer has: the fuel cell having a fuel electrode, an air electrode, and a solid-electrolyte film, in which the fuel electrode receives the liquid fuel and water is discharged through the air electrode; a fuel supplying path for supplying the liquid fuel stored in the liquid fuel storage section to the fuel electrode; and a water forwarding path for forwarding the water discharged from the air electrode to the water storage section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering solvent free marking material to a receiver is provided. A printhead includes a discharge device having an inlet and an outlet with a portion of the discharge device defining a delivery path. An actuating mechanism is moveably positioned along the delivery path. A material selection device has an inlet and an outlet with the outlet of the material selection device being connected in fluid communication to the inlet of the discharge device. The inlet of the material selection device is adapted to be connected to a pressurized source of a thermodynamically stable mixture of a fluid and a marking material, wherein the fluid is in a gaseous state at a location beyond the outlet of the discharge device.

Abstract: A printing system includes a fixer printhead, an overcoat printhead and at least one ink printhead. The at least one ink printhead depositing drops of a colored ink on a medium. The fixer printhead deposits drops of a fixer onto the deposited drops of the colored ink. The overcoat printhead deposits drops of an overcoat onto the deposited drops of the colored ink.

Abstract: The following described arrangements and procedures generate a smudge resistant image with an ink jet imaging device. Specifically, in an image printing zone on the ink jet imaging device, a first carriage generates an image on a print medium. Then, in an image protecting zone on the ink jet imaging device, a second carriage deposits an overcoat solution and a fixer solution onto the image to form a substantially smudge resistant image.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printing system in which unauthorized copying and reproduction are prevented by making it easy to identify the source which created or manipulated image data to be reproduced and outputted. In accordance with this printing system, image data is entered from a personal computer that generates the image data, attribute information concerning the personal computer and a printer for forming an image is acquired, identification information which specifies the personal computer and the printer is generated based upon the attribute information, this identification information is added to the image data, and an image is printed using the image data to which the identification information has been added.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for depositing marking material onto a substrate which comprises (a) providing a propellant to a printhead, said printhead having defined therein at least one channel, each channel having an inner surface and an exit orifice with a width no larger than about 250 microns through which the propellant can flow, said propellant flowing through each channel, thereby forming a propellant stream having kinetic energy, each channel directing the propellant stream toward the substrate, the inner surface of each channel having thereon a conductive polymer coating; and (b) controllably introducing a particulate marking material into the propellant stream in each channel, wherein the kinetic energy of the propellant stream causes the particulate marking material to impact the substrate.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a printhead having a plurality of ink orifices formed therein. During printing, ink drops are ejected through the ink orifices into a print zone between the printhead and a print medium with an intended ink drop trajectory toward the print medium. An air movement system directs an air stream to the print zone substantially parallel to the intended ink drop trajectory as the ink drops are ejected during printing so as to affect air currents acting on the ink drops during printing and prevent print defects caused by the air currents. The air stream, however, does not disrupt the intended trajectory of the ink drops during printing.

Abstract: A method of forming a thin film by an ink jet method including the step of discharging a liquid containing thin film-forming materials and a solvent from liquid discharge ports to each position on a substrate while the liquid discharge ports are being moved relatively to the substrate, characterized in that subsequent droplets are arranged while a solvent vapor evaporating from droplets arranged previously on the substrate are compulsively removed from inside the substrate surface.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head having one nozzle array or a plurality of nozzle arrays. Each nozzle array includes a plurality of nozzles. These nozzles include at least one end nozzle at at least one end of the nozzle array or arrays and ink nozzles other than the at least one end nozzle. The end nozzle discharges a windshield liquid and the ink nozzles discharge ink. The end nozzle prevents the displacement on a recording medium of ink droplets discharged from the outermost ink nozzle among the ink nozzles, thus forming a high-quality image without partial unevenness in recording density.

Abstract: An inkjet printer having, a white color head to jet a white color ink; a plurality of process color heads to jet respective process color inks; and a controller to control operations of the white color head and the plurality of process color heads, wherein the controller selectively conducts a control of a top face printing where at least one of the plurality of the process color heads jets the respective process color ink after the white color head jets the white color ink, or a control of a bottom face printing where the white color head jets the white color ink after at least one of the plurality of the process color heads jets the respective process color ink.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for depositing a particulate marking material onto a substrate, comprising (a) a printhead having defined therein at least one channel, each channel having an inner surface and an exit orifice with a width no larger than about 250 microns, the inner surface of each channel having thereon a conductive polymer coating; (b) a propellant source connected to each channel such that propellant provided by the propellant source can flow through each channel to form propellant streams therein, the propellant streams having kinetic energy, each channel directing the propellant stream through the exit orifice toward the substrate; and (c) a marking material reservoir having an inner surface, the inner surface having thereon the conductive polymer coating, the reservoir containing particles of a particulate marking material, the reservoir being communicatively connected to each channel such that the particulate marking material from the reservoir can be controllably introduced into the propellan

Abstract: An image forming method and apparatus for ejecting a recording fluid constituted by a plurality of inks from a common ink ejection port while a mixing ratio of the plurality of inks is changed with respect to one pixel based on an image signal, and transporting the plurality of inks to an image receiving medium which is moved with respect to the ink ejection port to form an image. An opening area Ai of a channel of an image forming ink is smaller than the opening area of the channel of an image non-forming ink in a confluence (mixing section) of the plurality of inks, and the opening area Ai has the following relationship with a minimum ejection volume Vi of the image forming ink: Ai≦1.2×Vi(⅔), so that with an excessively small amount of the image forming ink to be mixed with the image non-forming ink, a leading end of the ink is cut well, an image density having fidelity to the image signal can be obtained, and an image quality can be enhanced.

Abstract: Toner xerographically adhered to a material, such as a sheet of paper, may be removed using a solvent-based or solventless approach. The application of ultrasonic tamping, scraping and brushing may aid in removing toner particles. In a solvent-based approach, a solvent may be applied generally or the solvent may be targeted specifically to the toner covered portions of the material to loosen the adhesive securement of the toner to the material. Thereafter, the toner is subjected to a mechanical abrasion using ultrasonic and physical agitation to cause flaking of the toner.

Abstract: An ink-jet printing head and an ink-jet printing apparatus can reduce fluctuation of density of an ink ejected from each nozzle by ejecting ink of different densities from the same nozzle without varying size of an ink droplet, or by controlling ejection of a mixture ink, in which a plurality of inks are mixed, for forming an image. The ink-jet printing head includes a plurality of ejection openings for ejecting ink, a plurality of ink passages communicated with the plurality of ejection openings, ink ejecting energy generating elements provided in the plurality of ink passages, a mixing liquid chamber connected to the plurality of ink passages in common, a plurality of individual liquid chambers supplying ink to the mixing liquid chamber, and a valve mechanism provided between the individual liquid chamber and the mixing liquid chamber and controlling supply amount of the inks supplied from the individual liquid chambers.