Abstract: A press dampening system which applies dampening fluid to a roll or cylinder using high-density straight streams of fluid flow. The term straight stream encompasses a stream of fluid which is primarily laminar, and which produces a minimal amount of spray or droplets. The flow of fluid is not, or is minimally, broken up into droplets. The straight streams, which include a high density of water or dampening fluid, impact against the roll or cylinder and thereafter the straight stream spreads out across the surface of the roll or cylinder in a puddle-like fashion. Each straight stream is created by an orifice—preferably a micro-orifice—which, at an appropriate back pressure upstream of the orifice, causes the water or dampening fluid to emerge from the orifice in a straight stream of relatively laminar flow.