Provided is a printhead maintenance assembly having an ink manifold with a printhead, the manifold operatively supplying the printhead with ink, and a capper arrangement. The capper arrangement includes a capper operatively fitted to the manifold over the printhead, the capper defining a capper chamber with a constriction member splitting said chamber into an air inlet channel and a vacuum channel. The constriction member is located proximate the printhead to define a blast channel therewith between the inlet channel and the vacuum channel.