An inkjet drop ejection apparatus 1010 having a chamber 1012 with a nozzle 1011; and an actuator with a thermal bend arm 1034. The arm has a cold portion 1024 and a hot portion 1022 such that thermal expansion of the hot portion bends the arm. The cold portion is positioned for greater exposure to ink flow than the hot portion. The heat generated by the hot portion of the thermal bend arm can heat up the cold portion. As the cold portion heats, it expands thereby forcing the hot portion to heat to a higher temperature to achieve the same expansion differential that provides the required bend in the arm. By positioning the cold portion for greater exposure to the ink flow, it dissipates heat to the ink and its temperature is more stable. This in turn improves the efficiency of the arm and the entire printhead.