Book excerpt: An integral overview of the theory and design of printheads, authored by an expert with over 30 years' experience in the field of inkjet printing. Clearly structured, the book presents the design of a printhead in a comprehensive and clear form, right from the start. To begin with, the working principle of piezo-driven drop-on-demand printheads in theory is discussed, building on the theory of mechanical vibrations and acoustics. Then the design of single-nozzle as well as multi-nozzle printheads is presented, including the importance of various parameters that need to be optimized, such as viscosity, surface tension and nozzle shape. Topics such as refilling the nozzle and the impact of the droplet on the surface are equally treated. The text concludes with a unique set of worked-out questions for training purposes as well as case studies and a look at what the future holds. An essential reference for beginning as well as experienced researchers, from ink developers to mechanical engineers, both in industry and academia.