A method of operating a drop generating printhead including heating the printhead, providing melted phase change ink to the printhead, allowing the printhead to cool, and while the printhead is cooling, pressurizing the phase change ink in the printhead with a pressure that is sufficient to substantially maintain meniscuses at the outlets of the nozzles of the printhead as the phase change ink in the printhead solidifies. Also disclosed is a method of operating a drop generating printhead including heating the printhead, and pressurizing solidified phase change ink in the printhead with a pressure that is sufficient to substantially maintain meniscuses at the outlets of the nozzles of the printhead as the phase change ink in the printhead melts.