The invention relates to an ink distribution structure for an inkjet printer. The distribution structure has a laminated stack for supplying ink to a plurality of printhead integrated circuits. The stack includes five distinct layers. A first layer has an even number of discrete ink holes per printhead integrated circuit, each group of discrete ink holes arranged in a rectangular array with four aligned rows of ink holes parallel to a respective integrated circuit. The first layer has underside recesses each for discretely communicating with one of the ink holes of the two center-most rows of four holes. A second layer has a pair of slots each for receiving ink from one of the underside recesses of the first layer, the second layer also having ink holes which are aligned with the outer two groups of ink holes of the first layer. A third layer has an even number of ink holes corresponding with each integrated circuit, the outermost of these holes aligned with outermost holes of the first and second layers. A fourth layer has an array of integrated circuit slots each for receiving an upper portion of a respective integrated circuit, and a fifth layer has an array of integrated circuit slots each for receiving the integrated circuit and a nozzle guard assembly.