A method of maintaining a printhead comprises the steps of: (i) providing a maintenance roller having a contact surface for sealing engagement with the printhead; (ii) moving the roller into a first position in which the contact surface is sealingly engaged with the printhead; (iii) moving the roller into a second position in which the contact surface is disengaged from said printhead; and (iv) rotating the roller such that the contact surface is conveyed away from the printhead. The maintenance roller does not rotate when the contact surface is sealingly engaged with the printhead.