Abstract: Disclosed herein is ribbon inking apparatus for inking such ribbon comprising an ink supply in the form of an ink cartridge with a motor actuated piston forcing the ink onto a porous inking wheel which is also the main ribbon drive. A cartridge with ribbon to be inked has an adapter placed thereon to suit the type of cartridge and is inserted into the inking apparatus where it is held in engagement with a friction drive. Puller arms actuated from the main gear box have puller fingers which grasp the ribbon from the cartridge and place a portion thereof against the porous inking wheel for inking. A pinch roller, ink sensor, unit is pivoted into a position where the pinch roller forces the ribbon against the inking wheel and the ink sensors straddle the ribbon to detect the presence of ink and to control the application of ink to the inking wheel.