Interchangeable single-cartridge inkjet service station

A service station for a single-cartridge inkjet printing mechanism interchangeably receives different types of inkjet cartridges, with each type of cartridge having different servicing needs. To hermetically seal each cartridge printhead during periods of inactivity, two caps are gimbal-mounted at opposing ends of a retaining sleeve. The caps are spring-biased away from one another by a single spring, which may be compressed during printhead capping to accommodate for variations in printhead height between different cartridges. Gimbal mounting the caps allows each cap to compensate for any tilting of the printhead face when the cartridge is installed, which insures an adequate seal. The sleeve is rotated to bring the proper cap into alignment with the installed printhead. The service station also has two wipers, a spittoon, and a carriage locking mechanism. A method is also provided of servicing different types of cartridges in a single-cartridge inkjet printing mechanism.