a printhead assembly for an ink jet printer includes an elongate channel member having a floor and a pair of opposed side walls . an elongate elastomeric ink delivery member has longitudinally extending delivery conduits and is positioned on the floor . one end of the ink delivery member is engageable with an ink supply to the delivery conduits and an opposite end with a closure to close the ink delivery conduits . the ink delivery member defines a series of patterned holes in fluid communication with the ink delivery conduits . a series of printhead modules are releasably engaged with the elongate channel member to extend end - to - end along the channel member . each printhead module includes an ink distribution structure in fluid communication with the series of patterned holes . a printhead integrated circuit is mounted on the ink distribution structure to receive ink from the ink distribution structure .