Abstract: An inking device and a method of inking business machines are disclosed in which the inking device has a spool-like body with a central ink reservoir, and an ink conducting washer-like pad of cellular plastic material is in communication with the ink reservoir to receive ink from the reservoir near its inner periphery and to conduct it by capillary action to its exposed outer periphery situated beneath a tubular inking pad mounted on the hub of the spool-like body. The bottom of the inking pad is in contact with the exposed periphery of the ink conducting pad near the outer surface of the inking pad to pick up ink therefrom and to transmit ink upwardly of the inking pad by capillary action. Ink is delivered from the inking pad to a ribbon, or to a type slug, which contacts the inking pad to pick up ink therefrom as the ribbon or type slug moves past the inking pad.