Abstract: The dampening apparatus and method provides automatic ink/water control for a lithographic printing press by means of a hydrophylic metering roll in a pan for fountain solution which contacts an oleophylic transfer roll. The transfer and metering rolls are free wheeling friction driven rolls which are driven in substantially a one-to-one surface speed ratio by friction between the transfer roll and a dampener form roll to cause the metering roll to provide an unmetered excess of dampening fluid from the pan to a nip with the transfer roll. The dampener form roll is positively driven from the drive system for the press plate cylinder at a one-to-one surface speed ratio with the plate cylinder and is a resilient oleophylic roll having a durometer within the range of 20 to 30 durometer. The transfer roll is harder and of different diameter than the dampener form roll with a durometer in the range of from 30 to 60 durometer.