Apparatus and methods are provided. A supply of ink within a flexible bag is located apart from a printer. A fluid conduit couples the supply of ink to the printer by way of a connecting head. The connecting head includes a pump driven by a mechanical actuator of the printer. Operation of the pump causes a flow of ink from the flexible bag to a printhead of the printer. Pump failure is detected and interpreted as an out-of-ink condition, and user notification and/or cessation of printing operations are automatically performed.