Patent ID: 8579430

Claim:
A wide format printer comprising: a media path; a plurality of fixed inkjet printheads spanning across a width of the media path, said printheads being positioned on a first side of the media path for printing media fed along the media path; a fixed vacuum platen positioned opposite the printheads, said fixed vacuum platen have a plurality of apertures defined therein, each aperture being positioned opposite a respective printhead; and a plurality of service modules positioned on an opposite second side of the media path, each service module being positioned in a respective aperture and opposite a respective printhead, each service module having a vacuum opening, wherein: the media has a width less than a width of the media path; a print zone has a width defined by the width of the media path; and the media partially covers at least one vacuum opening such that a covered part of the vacuum opening functions as a vacuum platen for the media and an uncovered part of the vacuum opening functions as a spittoon for collecting non-printing ink droplets ejected from a printhead extending beyond the width of the print zone.