Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating a traveling paper web includes a coating applicator disposed in movably-controlled spaced adjacency with the paper web, which is supported on a rotating backing roll. The coating applicator permits a controlled introduction of a fresh portion of an aqueous slurry of coating material which is mixed with a recirculated portion of coating material in a controlled manner to prevent the formation of large vortices within the coating applicator. The coating material flows successively through mixing, convergent, and recirculation channels, all of which are defined on one side thereof by a distinct surface of a flow stabilizer which is positioned centrally in a cavity in the coating apparatus.