Abstract: A printing apparatus which comprises a carriage that is movable along a record carrier, an ink printing head for applying ink to the record carrier, and a stationary reservoir mounted adjacent the carriage for storing ink to be applied to the carrier. An intermediate container which, together with the ink printing head, is attachable to the carrier is flow-connected to the ink printing head for supplying ink obtained from the reservoir. The intermediate container includes a hollow housing having upper and lower portions defining an ink storage chamber and a bladder containing air which is suspended within the ink storage chamber, the interior of the bladder being connected to the atmosphere through an opening in the housing.