A carriage-actuated venting system for a print head of an inkjet printer includes a print head cap, selectively closable over the print head of the ink jet printer. A vent port is in fluid communication with the print head cap and vents the print head when the print head cap is closed over the print head. A movable shaft is engageable by a movable carriage of the ink jet printer. A vent actuator is coupled to and movable with the shaft to close the vent port and restricts venting of the print head through the print head cap.