An inkjet printer that has a printhead with an elongate orifice plate and a surface that surrounds the elongate orifice plate, a platen that partially defines a media path extending passed the printhead, a capping member with a seal for sealing engagement with the surface that surrounds the printhead, and a static solenoid for moving the capping member in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the elongate orifice plate. During use, the printhead, the media path and the platen all remain fixed relative to each other, and the capping member is movable through the media path. Providing a sealing surface around the orifice plate that is configured to engage the cap and seal the printhead requires less manufacturing precision than a capping mechanism that directly engages the orifice plate. Production efficiencies from lower precision assembly have particular significance for high volume products.