Provided is an ink jet recording method by which even when an ink jet recording apparatus having a small size and high durability is used, excellent sticking recoverability is obtained and a high-quality image suppressed from causing unevenness can be recorded. The ink jet recording method includes recording an image with an ink jet recording apparatus including: a plurality of aqueous inks; a first ink storage portion; a second ink storage portion; a plurality of tubes; a recording head; and a recovery mechanism. The ratio (η.sub.2/η.sub.1) of the viscosity 112 (mPa.Math.s) of the second ink to the viscosity η.sub.1 (mPa.Math.s) of the first ink is 0.7 or more to 1.5 or less, and the first ink contains a first water-soluble organic solvent having a specific dielectric constant of 40.0 or more.

A printing device to which a predetermined flat-rate usage fee is applied regardless of the number of times a cartridge is replaced includes an ejection head having a nozzle capable of ejecting a liquid stored in each of a plurality of cartridges, and a controller, wherein the controller includes a cleaning execution unit that executes a cleaning process and wherein the cleaning process includes a determination process of determining the presence or absence of a specific cartridge, among a plurality of cartridges, whose liquid remaining amount is equal to or greater than a reference remaining amount before performing the cleaning operation, and whose liquid remaining amount is expected to be less than the reference remaining amount when the cleaning operation is executed, and a setting process of setting the specific cartridge as a cartridge to be replaced before executing the cleaning operation.

An inkjet device includes a stage, a first suction member, a second suction member, a spray member, and a substrate. The first suction member is at a first side surface of the stage. The second suction member is at a second side surface of the stage. The spray member is configured to store ink and to move above top surfaces of the stage, the first suction member, and the second suction member, the spray member including a body and a nozzle at a side of the body to discharge the ink. The substrate is on the stage in which the ink discharged from the spray member is printed on the substrate.

A maintenance apparatus that prevents a reduction in image quality of an image recorded by a liquid discharge head is provided. A maintenance apparatus includes an application unit configured to come into contact with a discharge surface included in a recording head and apply a cleaning liquid to the discharge surface, wherein discharge ports configured to discharge a liquid are formed on the discharge surface, a suction unit configured to suction the discharge surface, a movement unit configured to move the suction unit relative to the recording head, and a control unit configured to execute a first cleaning mode where, after the application unit applies the cleaning liquid, the suction unit suctions the discharge surface.

The inkjet printing apparatus includes: a printing unit to eject ink; a wiping unit capable of wiping an ejection opening surface by moving relative to the ejection opening surface with an opening, adapted to be in contact with the ejection opening surface, put in contact with the ejection opening surface; a suction unit connected to the wiping unit and configured to apply negative pressure to the ejection opening surface via the opening; a moving unit to move the wiping unit relative to the ejection opening surface; and a control unit to perform suction wiping operation by wiping the ejection opening surface with the wiping unit while applying negative pressure to the ejection opening surface. The control unit determines the timing to perform the suction wiping operation, and, according to the timing, determines a moving speed of the moving unit and a pressure value caused by the suction unit.

A printing apparatus includes a head including a plurality of nozzles configured to discharge liquid to a medium, an abnormal nozzle detection unit configured to detect an abnormal nozzle having a discharging defect among the plurality of nozzles, a contact detection unit configured to detect contact between the head and the medium, a suction unit configured to perform an ejection operation of ejecting the liquid from the plurality of nozzles, and a control unit. The control unit executes a suction operation when the abnormal nozzle is detected and the contact between the head and the medium is detected, and the control unit executes a printing of complementing the abnormal nozzle when the abnormal nozzle is detected and the contact between the head and the medium is not detected.

There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including a head configured to eject a liquid from nozzles being open in a nozzle surface, a liquid absorbing wiper, and a support supporting the liquid absorbing wiper. The supporter is movable relative to the head, between a first position where the liquid absorbing wiper is in contact with the nozzle surface, and a second position where the liquid absorbing wiper is away from the nozzle surface, the supporter has a flow channel for a liquid cleaner to flow therethrough, and the liquid absorbing wiper sucks in the liquid cleaner from below by way of contact with the liquid cleaner flowing in the flow channel.

Provided is a liquid ejection apparatus which, in a case of performing wiping operations at a plurality of different wiping pressures, can perform each wiping operation at a suitable wiping pressure and a suitable angle. To achieve this object, a liquid ejection apparatus is configured such that the angle of the wiping surface of a wiper to an ejection port surface can be changed while the wiper is out of contact with the ejection port surface and is not performing wiping, and the ejection port surface can be wiped with the wiper after the wiping surface angle is changed.

A single pass inkjet printer that utilizes a modular printing system with one or more self-contained printing modules, where each printing module is easy to remove and replace from a large printing machine, thus resulting in an overall system that is easy to service and maintain Each module is a self-contained printer including an ink supply, printhead drive electronics, and printhead assembly in order to provide one color or fluid of inkjet printing capability. Each module includes a precise three-point compliant self-aligning mount system to obtain accurate printhead positioning, and a unique integrated printhead tending system that includes a compact movable vacuum knife for cleaning the printheads, and a printhead capping station for sealing and protecting the printheads from the ambient environment when not in use.

A head cap configured to maintain a head configured to discharge a liquid from nozzles formed in a nozzle surface, the head cap includes a cap configured to cap the nozzle surface of the head, and a holder holding the cap, the holder being detachably attachable to one of a carriage mounting the head and a guide configured to guide the carriage.