Apparatus and process for controlling ink in a continuous ink jet printer in which a continuous stream (60) of ink is emitted from a nozzle includes an ink stream generator (50) which establishes a continuous flow of ink in a stream, the stream breaking up into a plurality of droplets (67) at a position spaced from the ink stream generator. A stream deflector adjacent to the stream between the ink stream generator and the position whereat the stream breaks up into droplets controls the direction of the stream between a print direction and a non-print direction. The apparatus may further include charging apparatus associated with the ink delivery channel to electrically charge the ink stream. The stream deflector includes at least one deflection electrode (65) and a deflection control circuit (13) adapted to selectively apply to the deflection electrode an electrical potential of a potential to deflect droplets from one of the print and non-print directions to the other of the print and non-print directions.