A cover for protecting from undesired exposure a photoconductive member assembled to the housing of a printing cartridge for use in a printing machine is provided. The housing includes an aperture periphery defining an aperture therein for communication of illumination from an illumination source with the photoconductive member. The cover includes a first portion positionable adjacent the housing, a second portion operably associated with the first portion and at least partially extendible between the illumination source and the photoconductive member for protecting a substantial portion of the photoconductive member from exposure, a third portion operably associated with the second portion, the third portion removably securable to the housing, and a fourth portion operably associated with the third portion. The fourth portion is utilized for removal of the cover. As the third portion is pulled from the housing the third portion is directed along a path spaced from the photoconductive member.