High efficiency orifice plate structure and printhead using the same

A novel polymeric orifice plate for a printhead. The plate includes a recess in the top surface thereof which terminates at a position between the top and bottom plate surfaces. The recess communicates with a bore which passes through the remainder of the plate and terminates at the bottom surface. The recess has an upper end with a first opening therein, a lower end with a second opening therein, a side wall, and a bottom wall at the lower end The first opening is larger than the second opening. Application of physical force to the plate does not disturb the second opening in the recess which is "inset". The recessed bottom wall (and possibly the top surface) of the plate may include at least one layer of coating material thereon for protective, wettability-control, and other purposes. These designs insure proper ink drop trajectory and high-quality image generation.