Abstract: A ribbon cartridge for use in high speed cartridge type printers, in which the ribbon is enclosed in the cartridge, and the entire cartridge must move at extremely high speeds. The cartridge is in a generally U-shaped case with the base of the U comprising a ribbon storage volume. One of the arms of the U is called the exit arm, and the other called the re-entry arm. Positive pressure roller means is provided for driving the ribbon into the storage volume, thereby pulling ribbon out of the storage volume at the other end, out through the exit arm where a pad of felt, or the like, is used to provide suitable tension. The ribbon then moves across between the two tips of the U arms, down and into the re-entry arm. An ink reservoir is provided in the re-entry arm, comprising a wedge of felt or similar material and including means to apply marking fluid, such as stamp pad ink, to the wedge.