Abstract: This invention relates to an anilox printing apparatus for depositing ink onto a substrate in a predetermined pattern. The apparatus has a reservoir provided with a weir so that ink may continuously overflow the top or end of the weir and be removed from the reservoir in a controlled fashion while maintaining a constant backpressure of ink in the reservoir. This arrangement provides the advantage that ink leakage and splashing caused by debris entering the nip associated with a doctor blade held against the anilox roll or by surface imperfections interfering with the seal formed by such a doctor blade are eliminated. This also provides a printing apparatus for complete coating of the periphery of the anilox roll with ink without a high pressure system.