A method and apparatus for terminating the flow of liquid coating material from a jet drop recording device without splattering or seepage is provided. A supply of coating material under pressure is pumped through an inlet valve to a manifold in the printing head of the device. Shutdown is initiated by closing the inlet valve, terminating the supply of coating material. When the pressure in the manifold has dropped to the minimum required for normal operation of the recording device, an outlet valve connecting the manifold to a source of vacuum is opened, rapidly reducing the pressure in the manifold to atmospheric and terminating the flow of coating material from the printing head. A control unit is provided to open and close the valves and monitor the pressure inside the manifold to insure proper sequencing during the shutdown procedure.