A printer is provided which has a pagewidth printhead assembly and a capping mechanism. The printhead assembly has a pagewidth printhead and a plurality of nozzles located along the printhead for delivering ink onto print media as it is transported past the printhead. The capping mechanism has a capping member of a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead, a first actuating mechanism arranged to move the printhead in an arcuate direction from a first to a second position, and a second actuating mechanism arranged to move the capping member in a lateral direction relative to the printhead to effect nozzle capping engagement of the printhead when the printhead is in the second position. The capping mechanism may be configured for capping in a printer having a printhead assembly with two pagewidth printheads.