Abstract: The present invention relates to a dampening apparatus for lithographic offset printing presses. A form roller having an ink receptive compressible surface is pressed against a plate on the plate cylinder, and a metering means lying parallel and tangent to the form roller having a relatively incompressible ink receptive surface is pressed against the form roller. A reservoir of dampening solution is maintained above the nip of the form roller and metering roller, and is automatically maintained. Rotation of the form roller results in a metered quantity of solution being fed to the form roller, a portion of that quantity being applied to the lithographic plate, and the excess of that quantity being returned to the supply.