Ink jet ink handling system

An ink handling system in an ink jet printer. In accordance with the invention an ink handling system is constructed including two ink processing loops. A first relatively low-volume, high pressure ink handling loop or circuit routes ink to an ink jet printhead for directing one or more columns of ink toward a printing medium. A second relatively high volume yet low-pressure loop or circuit routes ink through a number of processing stations which, for example, include ink de-aeration, filtration, and temperature control. The bulk of the processing is performed in this second loop, yet limited processing steps are also performed in the high-pressure, low-volume circuit which directs ink to the printhead. As ink is lost due to evaporation and/or printing on the print medium, the ink is replenished via an ink source which is coupleable to a main ink tank forming a portion of the high-volume ink handling loop.