<p>The invention relates to a solenoid valve made using certain materials which is capable of operation at high frequencies and which can be made as a compact unit. The plunger ( 1 ) is made from an electromagnetic material having a saturation flux density greater than 1.2 Tesla preferably more than 1.6 Tesla, the bore leading from the valve head chamber ( 14 ) to the nozzle orifice ( 12 ) has a length to diameter ratio of less than 5:1 preferably between 2:1 and 4:1 and the nozzle orifice ( 12 ) has a diameter of 80 micrometer or less. The invention also relates to method for operating a drop on demand ink jet printer incorporating such a valve.</p>
