Abstract: A method for the continuous and uniform application of controlled amounts of treating liquor on a liquid receptive material web comprising passing the web over a counter-roll having a resilient, non-skid surface and then passing the web onto an applicator roll with a metallic cylinder surface that has been dipped into a vat of treating liquor and making the treating liquor a uniform film on the roll. The treating liquor is tested before use by placing a quantity of the liquor in a mixing container, rotating the container for a first period and measuring the volume of treating liquor plus foam that develops in the container, and making two subsequent volume readings after further periods of time, adding all of the volume readings and comparing the sum with a standard value, and also determining that each volume reading is less than the preceding reading, and rejecting treating liquor which does not meet the foregoing requirements.