Abstract: To maintain required or desired ink transfer capability of an anilox roller (6) after wear and tear caused, for example, upon engagement of the surface of the roller against a doctor blade (7a, 7b) of a chambered inking unit (7), the ink receptor depressions or cells (14, 514) in the surface of the roller are formed with a depth which is substantially greater than that necessary for the volumetric dimension for required or desired retention of ink suitable for transfer upon printing with a predetermined print density. Before application of printing ink thereto, the cells are filled with a removable filler material (20), for example copper, plastics such as polyethylene, epoxy, wax or the like. After the surface of the strips or ridges or cell walls becomes worn, a portion of the filler material is removed, for example by vaporization, by a laser, etching or the like, to reconstitute the original volume for ink retention. The change in print density upon printing, as the surface wears, is abrupt (FIG.

Abstract: A fountain for applying a foam ink to an engraved cylinder of a rotogravure printing press includes an open ink pan into which the ink is introduced and a rotary brush for applying ink from the ink pan to the cylinder. A pre-doctor blade permits a predetermined amount of ink to pass thereby and is followed by a doctor blade for scraping excess ink from the cylinder.