Abstract: The invention provides an ink pad for receiving ink refills, located opposite an opening in a wall or walls of the cartridge, the ink pad can have dished surfaces to retain ink onto the ink pad to prevent spillage from the ink pad. The opening in the cartridge wall can be offset from, or alternatively made larger in diameter than, the ink pad to expose an edge of the ink pad to assist in depositing ink onto the pad and also to provide a surface for wiping a nozzle from an ink bottle. A dual compartment for holding a liquid ink supply and an ink retaining mass can also be provided, the ink retaining mass pressed to an ink transfer roller for the cartridge. Also, a two-tiered ink cartridge can be provided to increase the effective storage length of fan-folded ribbon within the cartridge, a top tier being an ink retaining mass and a bottom tier being the ribbon, with a wick for transferring ink from the mass downward to the ribbon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed to manually re-ink cartridge ribbons for printers, word processors, typewriters and the like. By removing a strategic portion of a top cover of the cartridge which overlies the inking pad or roller residing therein, a specific and measured amount of ink can be dropped onto the pad to effectively re-ink the cartridge. A cover having apertures therethrough to install the ink onto the ink pad or roller is provided. A method of apprising the current ink capacity of a cartridge, by comparing the printing output to a printing key is disclosed.