Patent ID: 7204933

Claim:
A method for forming a fully integrated thermal inkjet printhead, comprising the steps of: etching a plurality of pillar openings into a first surface of a substrate; depositing an etchant-resistant material into the pillar openings; applying a thin film structure to the first surface of the substrate; etching an inlet opening through the thin film structure; applying an orifice layer to the thin film structure at a surface of the thin film structure opposite the substrate; forming a nozzle chamber in the orifice layer, wherein the inlet opening occurs within the nozzle chamber; and etching the substrate at a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface, wherein the etchant-resistant material filling in the plurality of pillar openings is exposed and form a plurality of pillars, and wherein the step of etching the substrate at the second surface occurs after the thin film structure is applied to the substrate.