A handheld inkjet printer is disclosed. The printer has a housing, a printhead fixedly mounted in the housing, and a capping device mounted external to the housing. The capping device has an arm, a capping leg extending transversely from the arm and an elastomeric pad affixed to the capping leg and in capping engagement with the printhead. The arm has a resilient portion deformable towards the housing upon receipt of a force. The housing defines a fulcrum with the arm and the leg being positioned on opposite sides of the fulcrum. Deformation of the arm towards the housing causes displacement of the capping leg, which in turn causes the elastomeric pad to move out of capping engagement with the printhead.