Abstract: In an ink ribbon cartridge (or cartridge ribbon) in which a length of ink ribbon driven through the cartridge is re-inked by a rotatable foam cylinder or reinker saturated with ink, an improved transfer roller is provided for transferring ink from the reinker onto the surface of the ink ribbon as the ink ribbon is advanced past the transfer roller. The transfer roller is of generally cylindrical shape and is provided with a plurality of elongated raised ridges or teeth on the outer surface thereof. The teeth present a surface area which transfers a desired amount of ink from the reinker to the ink ribbon as the ink ribbon rotates the transfer roller, and thereby the reinker. At the same time, positive engagement of the transfer roller with the ink ribbon and the reinker is enhanced, for the given surface area presented by the teeth, by offsetting or staggering a lower arrangement of the teeth relative to an upper arrangement thereof on the outer surface of the transfer roller.