A simple large-scale experimental apparatus that is capable of reproducing the jetting conditions found either in drop-ondemand (DoD) or continuous ink jet (CIJ) print-heads is presented. The design allows the direct observation of phenomena and measurement of conditions that are difficult or even impossible to record or modify in commercially available printheads. In the DoD mode, the setup permits the observation of the meniscus motion as well as recording of the pressure pulse in the fluid inside the print-head. Backlit imaging has been used to determine the drop speed, number of satellites and droplet behaviour. In the CIJ case, the setup allows the direct measurement of the jetting pressure and the modulation amplitude in the fluid inside the print-head. These characteristics allow the determination of the break-up curve for modulated jets in terms of the pressure modulation amplitude and the modulation frequency. Measurements from this system can readily be compared with outputs from theoretical models or numerical simulations, as parameters such as speed and pressure are directly measured.