A method of charging ink into an ink cartridge is described, in which the ink cartridge includes: a foam chamber; an ink supply port formed in a wall of said ink cartridge; and a porous body for absorbing ink being accommodated within said foam chamber and positioned to engage said ink supply port for delivery of ink thereto to define a space in said foam chamber between said porous body and the wall bearing a through hole. The ink cartridge has at least two insertion through holes in a wall thereof, said wall defining at least one of said walls of said foam chamber.
The method comprises the steps of: inserting an exhausting hollow needle to be connected to an exhauster through a first of said through holes into the space in said foam chamber; inserting an ink injecting hollow needle through a second of said plurality of through holes into said porous member; exhausting the interior of said cartridge; injecting ink through said ink injecting hollow needle after the exhausting operation has been completed; removing said hollow needles; and sealing said cartridge.