Ink jet printing apparatus includes a
linear array of jet modules each having an inlet for receiving ink, an outlet for re-circulating the ink, a
nozzle for discharging ink in the form of droplets, and a perturbation device for causing a continuous
stream of ink droplets to be discharged from the respective
nozzle. The apparatus further includes an ink supply
system having an
inlet manifold, an outlet manifold, and a plurality of connecting passageways connecting the jet modules in parallel between the inlet and outlet manifolds. The connecting passageways connect the inlet of each jet module to the
inlet manifold and the outlet of each jet module to the outlet manifold, such as to define a T-connection of each jet module with the inlet and outlet manifolds. Such a construction reduces the
mass of each jet module thereby permitting printing at higher frequencies and with smaller ink droplets.