Abstract: A doctor blade for wiping excess printing ink off the surface of a printing form (10) has a front section in the form of a leaf (3) which interacts with the surface of the printing form (10). In order to avoid wear or damage to the printing form surface as a result of the contact pressure exerted by the leaf (3) on the printing form surface, the leaf (3) is provided with a coating (5) over the entire doctor blade length. The coating (5) consists of lubricant or contains lubricant particles (8). As a result of the significant reduction in friction between the leaf (3) and the printing form surface, not only is the wear on the printing form surface reduced, but the wear on the doctor blade is also reduced, and its service life is extended.