Abstract: An ink pump system includes an ink reservoir and an ink solvent reservoir from which solvent is controllably transferred into the ink in the reservoir so as to maintain the desired ink viscosity. The ink reservoir has an ink outlet for discharging ink to a point of consumption and an inlet into which excess ink may be recirculated to the ink reservoir. A seal-less gear pump is submerged in the ink reservoir. The pump includes a housing with an inlet communicating with the interior of the ink reservoir so as to receive ink from the ink contents in the reservoir. The pump housing also has a discharge outlet communicating with the ink outlet of the reservoir. The power source for drawing the recirculating gear pump can also be used to drive a paddle which stirs the ink in the reservoir.