Method for preventing ink drop misdirection in an asymmetric heat deflection type ink jet printer

A method for preventing the misdirection of the initial ink droplets discharged from the nozzle (46) of an asymmetric heat-type ink jet printer is provided. The method includes the step of providing power to the heating element (50) that is adjacent to the inkjet nozzle at a higher level than the level normally used during the printing operation. When the power is supplied to the heater in the form of a train of electrical pulses, at least the first electrical pulse has at least one of a greater amplitude, width, or frequency at the beginning of the printing operation than the amplitude, width, and frequency normally used during the printing operation. The method enhances resolution by avoiding the off-target deflection of ink droplets that may happen at the beginning of a printing operation as a result of thermal inertia in the region of the heater and nozzle.