Abstract: A printing ribbon spool and method of replenishing ink to printing ribbons are disclosed. The spool has a central ink reservoir, and a pad of cellular material, preferably a spun-bonded fibrous material, which receives ink from the reservoir and has an exposed periphery beneath the lower edge of the ribbon as it pays on and off the spool. Ink is conveyed from the reservoir through the pad of cellular material to the exposed area of the pad, and a lower area of the ribbon contacts the exposed area of the pad to pick up ink therefrom and to transmit ink upwardly of the ribbon by capillary action to the type slug impact area of the ribbon. Preferably, both the supply ribbon spool and a take-up ribbon spool have a similar construction, so ink is supplied to the ribbon both as it is unwound from the supply spool and as it is wound up on the take-up spool. The ink reservoir can be closed for storage and shipping and opened when the spool is prepared for use.