Abstract: Apparatus for coating sheet material with liquid coating compositions is comprised of a reservoir, an absorption wick which receives liquid from the reservoir and provides an arcuate surface, and a transfer wick in conforming contact with the arcuate surface of the absorption wick. The transfer wick is fixedly secured at one end thereof and free at the opposite end to move toward or away from the absorption wick. Sheet material to be coated, for example a continuous web or a series of discrete sheets conveyed in succession to a coating station, is advanced across and in contact with the free end of the transfer wick to pick up a layer of coating composition.