Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for applying liquid to accurately defined areas of solid substrates such as paper, plastics materials and textiles. The method essentially involves the application of the substrate with appreciable pressure to a foraminous outlet disposed at the upper face of a liquid container and the subsequent removal of the substrate therefrom. Care is taken to ensure that the liquid in the container is in wetting contact with the outlet but that there is no development of an external meniscus above the outlet upper surface. In certain preferred embodiments of the invention several liquid containers are provided so that several liquids may be applied at once. The invention finds particular utility in the preparation of "color cards" such as are used for color selection of paints or cosmetics.